One of the most memorable meals that I have ever eaten was a couple of years ago when I was sick, well actually, just recovered from sickness. I had digestive disorder so I could not eat anything but bland porridge for a week; otherwise I would have vomited constantly. The first couple of days staying at home went just fine, I had enough to entertain me. In fact, I felt relax because I had time to binge watch my favorite drama. However, by the end of that week, I could not stand that meal. I could not even think about it. Fortunately, I was getting better so I could eat other dishes. My mother made me spaghetti with beef and mushroom which she knew was my favourite. It was a basic Italian dish that instantly made my mood improve. It did not take much time and energy to cook though; basically, there were ground beef, sliced fresh mushrooms, chopped garlic and onions served with tomato sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It tasted like heaven to me. The ground beef was savoury mixed with a little cheesy flavor. My mom homemade meal was not only appetizing but also nutritious because I was not consuming protein and fat for a whole week.

My mom and dad ate it too but I knew they did not enjoy it as much as I did. I tucked into it and even craved for more. This was a memorable meal thanks to the caring and loving of my mother and her eagerness to lift my spirits while I was trapped in my house.

Từ vựng trong bài:

• digestive disorder: bệnh rối loạn tiêu hóa
• bland (a): nhạt nhẽo
• porridge (n): cháo
• vomit (v): nôn mửa
• binge watch (v): cày phim
• stand: chịu đựng
• made my mood improve: làm tâm trạng tôi tốt lên
• ground beef: thịt bò xay
• top with (v) : phủ lên trên
• protein (n): chất đạm
• fat (n): chất béo
• crave for (v): thèm thuồng

When it comes to enjoyment, what I find the most interesting is to go traveling to different places and try the local cuisine there. In my journeys, I was strikingly impressed by many kinds of food, one of which is crispy pancake - also known as Banh Xeo. The ingredients to make flour mixture include rice flour, coconut cream, turmeric, onions and salt, mixed with water. The batter is then added into a frying pan brushed with vegetable oil and forms a thin pancake. After about two minutes, the cooker will scatter some pork, shrimps and sprouts on half of the cake then fold it in half to cover the filling and cook for thirty seconds. The dish is often served with traditional sauce made from fish sauce mixed with lemon, garlic and chilli. An interesting feature about Banh Xeo is the way people eat them. The pancake will be cut into two to three pieces and rolled in sheets of rice paper together with some lettuces. The roll is dipped into the prepared sauce, which creates a stunning combination of flavor. In one bite, customers can feel the crispness, a little bit sweetness, fat and freshness of the vegetables and just want to eat more. To sum up, coming to Vietnam, if you want to explore the culinary culture here, Banh Xeo will be an amazing experience that should not be missed.

CHÚC BẠN HỌC TỐT!!