Cuisine in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries

In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, the upper classes enjoyed a refined cuisine. Every official event became a pretext for sumptuous feasts. Meals were abundant, hors d'oeuvres and delicate French-style soups were followed by numerous meat and fish dishes, vegetable purees, intricate sweets and fruit - all presented with the utmost care, particularly in the restaurants. Still, the food of the common people remained frugal and monotonous, based on bread and vegetable soups, beans, cabbages, and potatoes. Cheese and eggs were very much used, as were polenta and pasta, which were made of flour and eggs.

Foreign influence and the spread of new foods

From the 17th to the 19th century many new dishes arrived from France: consommйs‚ crepes, purees, jellies, gravies, and delicate, tasty sauces such as mayonnaise and bйchamel. The presentation of food was very important, and its execution was of great refinement. Even English cooking became accepted with such typical dishes as roast beef, pudding and, above all, tea, although it was less popular than coffee and chocolate. In fact, coffee became as popular as to give rise to the coffeehouses, or cafйs.

8. Pair work. Put the questions given below to your group-mate and ask him/her to answer them.

What became a pretext for sumptuous feasts?

What was the food of common people?

What was made of flour and eggs?

What was more popular coffee or tea?

Lesson 8

A) Cover the right column and read the English words. Translate them into Russian and check your translation.

B) Cover the left column and translate the Russian words back into English.

rapid быстрый

tradition традиция

trends курс, направление

huge огромный

scattered редкий, расположенный на расстоянии друг от друга, разбросанный ( о домах, предметах )

2. Read the words and put down their Russian equivalents:

subsequent _________________________________________

quality ____________________________________________

communities _______________________________________

specialties _________________________________________

subsequent _________________________________________

Put down the corresponding verbs. Cover the left column.

Translate the words.

a) Model: damageable – to damage,

considerable – to ________________, ______________

workable – to __________________, _________________

eatable – to ____________________, __________________

рlace, to ______________________, ___________________

b) Model: leader – to lead,

teacher - __________________, ___________________

producer - _________________, ____________________

director - __________________, ____________________

Master the following words.

globe

decade

cuisine

worldwide

Fill in the English equivalents in place of the Russian ones.

(Итальянская кухня) ______________ has changed (в результате) _____________ of modern life.

Food (промышленность) ____________ is well (развита) ____________.

Italy is a (страна) ______________ of noble (кулинарные традиции) _____________.

Translate the following words and word combinations in writing.

to pin down ________________________________________

national cuisine _____________________________________

Italian cooking ____ _________________________________

standards __________________________________________

profound changes ___________________________________