Unit 1 Lesson 4: Bangladeshi Cuisine | Class 8
Bangladeshi cuisine is rich and varied with the use of many spices. We have delicious and appetizing food, snacks and sweets.
বাংলাদেশি খাবার খুবই সুস্বাদু এবং মশলাদার। আমাদের দেশে অনেক ধরনের খাবার, নাস্তা ও মিষ্টি রয়েছে।
Boiled rice is our staple food. It is served with a variety of vegetables, curry, Hentil soups, fish and meat. Fish is the main source of protein. Fish are now Cultivated in ponds. Also we have fresh-water fish in the lakes and rivers. More than 40 types of fish are common. Some of them are carp, rui, katla, magur (catfish), chingri (prawn or shrimp). Shutki or dried fish are popular. Hilsha is very popular among the people of Bangladesh.
ভাত আমাদের প্রধান খাবার। এটি বিভিন্ন ধরনের সবজি, তরকারি, ডাল, মাছ ও মাংসের সঙ্গে খাওয়া হয়। মাছ আমাদের প্রধান প্রোটিনের উৎস। এখন অনেক মাছ পুকুরে চাষ করা হয়। এছাড়া, নদী ও হ্রদেও অনেক ধরনের দেশি মাছ পাওয়া যায়। বাংলাদেশে ৪০টির বেশি ধরনের মাছ রয়েছে। এর মধ্যে রুই, কাতলা, মাগুর (শিং মাছ), চিংড়ি ইত্যাদি খুব জনপ্রিয়। শুঁটকি মাছও অনেক পছন্দের। তবে ইলিশ মাছ বাংলাদেশিদের সবচেয়ে প্রিয়।
Panta ilish is a traditional platter of Panta bhat. It is steamed rice soaked in water and served with a fried hilsha slice, often together with dried fish, pickles, lentil soup, green chilies and onion. It is a popular dish on the Pohela Boishakh.
পান্তা ইলিশ আমাদের ঐতিহ্যবাহী খাবার। এটি পানিতে ভেজানো ভাত, সাথে ভাজা ইলিশ মাছ, শুঁটকি, আচার, ডাল, কাঁচা মরিচ ও পেঁয়াজ দিয়ে খাওয়া হয়। এটি পহেলা বৈশাখে বিশেষভাবে খাওয়া হয়।
The people of Bangladesh are very fond of sweets. Almost all Bangladeshi women prepare some traditional sweets. Pitha, a type of sweets made from rice flour, sugar, syrup, molasses and sometimes milk, is a traditional food loved by the entire population. During winter Pitha Utsab, meaning pitha festival, is organized by different groups of people.
বাংলাদেশের মানুষ মিষ্টি খুব পছন্দ করে। প্রায় সব বাংলাদেশি পরিবারে বিভিন্ন ধরনের মিষ্টি তৈরি হয়। পিঠা এক ধরনের মিষ্টি যা চালের গুঁড়া, চিনি, গুড়, দুধ ইত্যাদি দিয়ে বানানো হয়। শীতকালে পিঠা উৎসব হয়, যেখানে নানা রকম পিঠা খাওয়া যায়।
Sweets are distributed among close relatives when there is good news like births, weddings, promotions, etc.
বাংলাদেশে কোনো ভালো খবর হলে, যেমন নতুন বাচ্চা জন্মালে, বিয়ে হলে বা চাকরিতে পদোন্নতি হলে, আত্মীয়দের মধ্যে মিষ্টি বিতরণ করা হয়।
Sweets of Bangladesh are mostly milk-based. The common ones are roshgolla, sandesh, rasamalai, gulap jamun, kalo jamun and chom-chom. There are hundreds of different varieties of sweet preparations. Sweets are therefore an important part of the day-to-day life of Bangladeshi people.
আমাদের দেশের বেশিরভাগ মিষ্টি দুধ দিয়ে তৈরি হয়। রসগোল্লা, সন্দেশ, রসমালাই, গুলাব জামুন, কালোজাম ও চমচম খুবই জনপ্রিয়। বাংলাদেশে শত শত ধরনের মিষ্টি পাওয়া যায়। তাই মিষ্টি আমাদের দৈনন্দিন জীবনের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অংশ।
D . Read the text in B again and answer the following questions.
Q1: What has made Bangladeshi food so special?
A1: The rich variety of dishes, the use of many spices, and the combination of delicious foods, snacks, and sweets make Bangladeshi food special.
Q2: Where do we get the fish from?
A2: We get fish from ponds, lakes, and rivers. Fish farming is also common in Bangladesh.
Q3: Apart from fish, what other foods do we eat with rice?
A3: Apart from fish, we eat vegetables, curry, lentil soup, and meat with rice.
Q4: Why are sweets an important part of our life?
A4: Sweets are an important part of our life because they are traditionally prepared and enjoyed by all. They are also shared on special occasions like births, weddings, and promotions as a symbol of joy and celebration.
C . True or false? If false, give the correct information.
1 Our food is rich because it have a lot of oil in them.
2 We get protein mostly from fish.
3 On Pohela Boishakh, the traditional food is steamed rice and fried hilsha.
4 Pitha Uthsab takes place almost all the year round in Bangladesh.
5 Sweets are not much appreciated by the people of Bangladesh.
Anwsers:
1. False – Our food is rich because of the variety of spices and ingredients used, not just because of oil.
✅ Correct statement: Our food is rich because it contains a variety of spices, vegetables, fish, and meat.
2. True – We get protein mostly from fish, as fish is a staple in Bangladeshi cuisine.
3. False – On Pohela Boishakh, the traditional food is Panta Bhat and fried Hilsha, not just steamed rice and fried hilsha.
✅ Correct statement: On Pohela Boishakh, the traditional food is Panta Bhat (soaked rice) with fried Hilsha, dried fish, pickles, lentils, green chilies, and onions.
4. False – Pitha Utsab is mainly held during winter, not all year round.
✅ Correct statement: Pitha Utsab takes place mainly in winter in Bangladesh.
5. False – Sweets are highly appreciated by the people of Bangladesh and are an important part of celebrations and daily life.
✅ Correct statement: Sweets are very popular among the people of Bangladesh and are enjoyed on special occasions and festivals.
E . Discuss and answer the questions in pairs.
Q1: Describe a Bangladeshi food item that you like best.
A1: One of my favorite Bangladeshi food items is Panta Bhat with Ilish Fry. Panta Bhat is fermented rice soaked in water, and it is usually served with fried hilsha fish, mustard, green chilies, and onions. This dish is refreshing, especially in hot weather, and is a traditional meal enjoyed during Pohela Boishakh. The combination of the slightly sour rice with the crispy, flavorful hilsha fish makes it a unique and delicious dish.
Q2: Make a list of the things you and your partner eat every day.
A2:
Breakfast: Roti/Paratha, eggs, tea, banana.
Lunch: Rice, lentil soup, vegetables, fish/meat.
Evening snacks: Samosa, puffed rice (muri), tea.
Dinner: Rice/roti, curry, salad, yogurt/milk.
Q3: Make two lists of food items: one eaten by urban people and the other by rural people.
A3:
Urban People:
• Bread, butter, jam
• Paratha, eggs, tea
• Fried chicken, burgers, pizza
• Rice with meat (chicken, beef)
• Milk, fruit juices
• Processed and packaged foods
Rural People:
• Rice with lentils and vegetables
• Homegrown fruits (banana, mango, jackfruit)
• Fish (freshwater), dried fish
• Hand-made pithas (puri, chitoi pitha)
• Cow/goat milk, homemade yogurt
• Local snacks like muri (puffed rice) and chira (flattened rice)
Q4: Why are there differences between the food eaten by urban and rural people?
A4: The differences in food habits between urban and rural people exist due to several factors:
• Availability: Rural people rely on homegrown and locally available ingredients, whereas urban people have access to processed and packaged foods.
• Lifestyle: Urban people have a fast-paced life, so they prefer quick meals like fast food, while rural people cook fresh meals at home.
• Economic Conditions: Urban people often have higher purchasing power, allowing them to buy a variety of foods, while rural people rely more on simple, traditional meals.
• Cultural Influence: Urban food habits are influenced by globalization, leading to the popularity of Western foods, whereas rural food remains more traditional.
F . How fast can you say this sentence?
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