Cuisine of the USA and Ukraine

The aim of this work is to identify two absolutely different types of cuisines and to analyze the right behavior during the meal.

The subjects of the work are features of national cuisine and table manners.

The objectives are: · to compare the Ukrainian and American cuisine; · to review table manners; · to analyze recipes of different dishes; · to identify the origin of some meals.

American food

Family vegetable gardens have been very popular, both as a hobby and as a way to save money, from the days when most Americans were farmers. They also help to keep fresh food on the table.

The hot dog was brought to the U.S.A. shortly before the Civil War by a real Frankfurter - Charles Feltman, a native of Frankfurt, Germany.

The history of the hamburger dates back to medieval Europe. Early German sailors brought a Tartar dish of shredded raw beef seasoned with salt and onion juice from Russia to Germany.

Apple pie has long been favorite on American tables. Colonists brought apples to the New World. The first large apple orchards were planted near Boston by William Blaxton in the 1600s. Settlers began to bake apple-pie and ate it at every meal.

The Coca - Cola story began in Atlanta in John Pemberten invented a new drink that contained South America coca leaf and the Africa colon nut. The inventor couldnt think of a good name for the new drink. His partner proposed the name of Coca-Cola and that became the famous trademark.

There are a lot of places in Kiev and in Ukraine where you can taste American cuisine. But the best and the most popular is Restaurant "Friday's".

If you want to taste a real American steak, you have to go to the Sam's Steak House. The best selection of steaks is there.

Ukrainian food

Salo This is a favorite Ukrainian delicacy. We use it in many forms- uncooked and fried, smoked and salted, baked and boiled. Also, we fry it, cook crackling and even eat it with honey! Varenyky can be filled with potato, cabbage, mushrooms, meat, liver, boiled buckwheat and cracklings, kidney beans, or with cottage cheese, apples, plums or poppy- seeds. In summer they are made with berries. Varenyky are served with sour cream; sweet varenyky are served with syrup or honey.

A choice for the First Dish is Borsch. Although the word "borsch" is not translatable, it is famous all over the world. It is difficult to imagine that there is a person on the planet who has never eaten borsch!

A cabbage roll is a savory food item made with a variety of fillings wrapped in cabbage. The filling usually includes meat, often beef or pork, seasoned with onion, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, and spices.

Blyntsi are thin pancakes which are often served in connection with a religious rite or festival in several cultures.

Solyanka is a thick, spicy and sour soup in the Ukrainian cuisine. It may have originated in Ukraine in the 17th century.

Table manners

The correct way to sit at table is to sit straight and close to the table. Don't put elbows on the table. Don't cross your legs or spread them all over the place under the table. If you want to take a slice of bread you shouldn't use fork or knife. Your hand is quite correct for getting a slice of bread for yourself. If you want to take a slice of bread from the plate standing on the far end of the table, just say: "Please pass the bread." Or: «Would you mind passing the bread, please?" Never lean across the table or over your neighbours to get something out of you reach. Don't hold your spoon in your fist; don't tilt it so as to spill its contents. The fork should be held in your left hand, the knife in your right. It is wrong to cut all the meat you have got on your plate in small pieces and then eat it. Cut off a slice at time, eat it, and then cut off another, holding your knife in the right hand and your fork in the left. You shouldn't use knife if you eat fish (it is generally eaten without using knife). The same refers to rissoles, cereal and, in general, to anything that is soft enough to be comfortably eaten with fork or spoon. The way to eat chicken is to cut off and eat as much as possible by using your knife and fork; the remaining part eat by holding the piece in your hand by the end of the bone. If you eat stewed fruit with the stones, just take the stones from your mouth on your spoon and place them in your own saucer.

Help yourselves!