©Sharon Wee and Marshall via CNN
Pre-reading questions:
- How often do you try new restaurants?
- Do you like salty foods?
Vocabulary:
- technique /tek-NEEK/
- blend /blend/
- pinch /pinch/
- chewy /CHOO-ee/
- flour /FLOU-er/
[noun] – a way of doing an activity that needs skill
I learned a lot of painting techniques from this book.
[verb] – to mix or combine together
Please blend the carrots with 4 cups of water.
[noun] – a small amount of something, such as a powder, especially the amount that a person can hold between their first finger and thumb
Nel added a pinch of pepper to the spaghetti sauce.
[adjective] – Chewy food needs to be chewed a lot before it is swallowed.
I like to eat chewy candy.
[noun] – powder made from grain, especially wheat, used for making bread, cakes, pasta, pastry, etc
I used almond flour to make this banana bread.
Article reading:
One of Southeast Asia’s richest cuisines, Peranakan food is a mix of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ingredients and cooking techniques. Peranakan culture began in the 15th century when Chinese men moved south to build new lives, later marrying the local Malay women. Being “Peranakan” means to be “locally born”. Men were called “Babas” and women “Nonyas.” Let’s explore some Peranakan or Nonya food.
Ayam buah keluak (chicken stew with black nuts)
©PixHound/Adobe Stock via CNN
Nothing says Peranakan cuisine more than Ayam buah Keluak. This stew is made with chicken, tamarind, spices, and buah keluak nuts.
Hee pio soup (fish maw soup)
©Sharon Wee and Marshall via CNN
Eaten during Lunar New Year celebrations, this hearty soup contains meatballs, fishballs, chicken, cabbage, and egg rolls.
Sambal belachan (shrimp paste chili)
©Huang Yuetao/Adobe Stock via CNN
This paste can add an exciting flavor to any dish. It is made by blending belachan (dried shrimp paste), red chilies, kaffir lime leaves, and a pinch of sugar.
Kueh ko sui (palm sugar cake)
©chee siong teh/Adobe Stock via CNN
For dessert, Nyonyas offer a chewy cake called Kueh Ko sui. It is made by combining gula melaka (palm sugar), rice flour, tapioca flour, and lye water. It usually has freshly grated coconut on top.
The Peranakans’ age-old cuisine and culture are still alive in many Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. They can be experienced in restaurants, neighborhoods, and museums.
True or False:
- Peranakan food is a mix of Chinese, Malay, and Turkish ingredients and cooking techniques.
- Ayam buah keluak has chicken, tamarind, spices, and buah keluak nuts.
- Hee pio soup is eaten during Christmas celebrations.
- You should add a pinch of sugar to the Sambal belachan
- Kueh Ko sui usually has freshly grated coconut on top.
Fill in the blanks:
| technique | blend | pinch | chewy | flour |
- Please add a ______ of salt to the soup.
- I _______ some strawberries, banana, and yogurt to make a smoothie.
- You only need two cups of ________ for this cake.
- These cookies are really ________!
- Marina taught me some cooking __________.