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A cook's dilemma1 厨师左右为难
What to cook when you have guests? I always feel like I'm walking on eggshells when I have to prepare a dinner party for new friends or people I don't know well.
Some eaters are picky and don't like cheese. Others can't stand a particular vegetable. And even puddings have their critics. Attitudes towards food can be formed during childhood and have an impact2 on the rest of their lives.
President George Bush senior, for example, banned broccoli3 aboard the presidential plane, Air Force One. ''I do not like broccoli!'' the President said in 1990. ''And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States, and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli!''
It left a bitter taste in the mouth of the American farmers who produced the vegetable.
Dr Emma Uprichard from the University of Warwick published a study on food hates. It revealed4 common patterns in the foods British people reject.
They don't like milk puddings - semolina and rice pudding - often associated with school dinners of the 50s and 60s.
But it's not only bad memories that make us turn our noses up at certain foods. There are biological reasons too. Scientists researching genetic5 differences say there are various groups of ''tasters''.
The one they call ''super tasters'' are more likely to have strong aversions to bitter foods such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts6. I always keep my fingers crossed that none of my dinner party guests are in this group.
And food is about cultural diversity too. The British don't eat horse meat. Brazilians like a black bean stew7 with pork which, in the experience of a Brazilian cooking for friends here in London, isn't popular with Kurdish people.
Sometimes I think the life of a host would be easier if we could just serve everybody a simple omelette, seasoned with love and friendship.
What about you? If I invited you for dinner what would you like me to cook for you?
Quiz 测验
1. Who banned broccoli from Air Force One?
US President George Bush senior.
2. British people don't like eating which foods?
Milk puddings, like semolina and rice pudding, and horse meat.
3. Who says there are different types of ''tasters''?
Scientists researching genetic differences.
4. What didn't the Kurdish guests at a dinner party like?
Brazilian black bean stew with pork.
5. What do you call habits people from different countries have?
Cultural diversity.
Glossary 词汇表
to walk on eggshells 如履薄冰
picky 好挑剔的
critic 批评者
attitude 态度
broccoli 西兰花
a bitter taste 一种苦味儿
a common pattern 一个普遍的模式
to reject 不喜欢
semolina 粗粒小麦粉
to turn (our) noses up 不屑一顾
an aversion to (something) 厌恶某物
bitter 苦味的
a Brussels sprout 抱子甘蓝
a host 主人
to season 调味
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1 dilemma Vlzzf n.困境，进退两难的局面 参考例句： I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.这件事使我进退两难。 He was thrown into a dilemma.他陷入困境。 2 impact Ganx3 n.冲击，碰撞；影响；vt.装紧，压紧 参考例句： The computer had made a great impact on modern life.计算机对现代生活产生了巨大的影响. How will the war impact on such a poet?战争对这样一个诗人会产生什么影响？ 3 broccoli 1sbzm n.绿菜花，花椰菜 参考例句： She grew all the broccoli plants from seed.这些花椰菜都是她用种子培育出来的。 They think broccoli is only green and cauliflower is only white.他们认为西兰花只有绿色的，而菜花都是白色的。 4 revealed 29a8fdd8696d7b677a37f8957897d3ff v.显示( reveal的过去式和过去分词 )；揭示；泄露；[神学]启示 参考例句： They revealed to me that the experiment had failed. 他们向我透露试验失败了。 来自《简明英汉词典》 His insincerity is revealed by the quick goggle of his eyes. 他眼睛的快速转动泄露了他的不诚。 来自《简明英汉词典》 5 genetic PgIxp adj.遗传的，遗传学的 参考例句： It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。 Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。 6 sprouts 7250d0f3accee8359a172a38c37bd325 n.新芽，嫩枝( sprout的名词复数 )v.发芽( sprout的第三人称单数 )；抽芽；出现；（使）涌现出 参考例句： The wheat sprouts grew perceptibly after the rain. 下了一场雨，麦苗立刻见长。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 The sprouts have pushed up the earth. 嫩芽把土顶起来了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 7 stew 0GTz5 n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 参考例句： The stew must be boiled up before serving.炖肉必须煮熟才能上桌。 There's no need to get in a stew.没有必要烦恼。