HOW TO WRITE A GOOD STORY

 

IDIOMS OF FOOD

 

IDIOMS OF TIME

 

EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES

 

EASTER WISHES

 

Sending Easter blessings by the dozen 

and wishing you a day colored with every hue of Happy!

 

Olive oil

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Olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil presented with green and black preserved table olives
Fat composition
Saturated fats
Total saturated	Palmitic acid: 13.0% Stearic acid: 1.5%
Unsaturated fats
Total unsaturated	> 85%
Monounsaturated	Oleic acid: 70.0% Palmitoleic acid: 0.3–3.5%
Polyunsaturated	Linoleic acid: 15.0% α-Linolenic acid: 0.5%
Properties
Food energy per 100 g (3.5 oz)	3,700 kJ (880 kcal)
Melting point	−6.0 °C (21.2 °F)
Boiling point	700 °C (1,292 °F)
Smoke point	190–215 °C (374–419 °F) (extra virgin) 175 °C (347 °F) (virgin) 210 °C (410 °F) (refined)
Solidity at 20 °C (68 °F)	Liquid
Specific gravity at 20 °C (68 °F)	0.911
Viscosity at 20 °C (68 °F)	84 cP
Refractive index	1.4677–1.4705 (virgin and refined) 1.4680–1.4707 (pomace)
Iodine value	75–94 (virgin and refined) 75–92 (pomace)
Acid value	maximum: 6.6%(refined and pomace) 0.8% (extra virgin)
Saponification value	184–196 (virgin and refined) 182–193 (pomace)
Peroxide value	20 (virgin) 10 (refined and pomace)

Olive oil is a liquid fat obtained from olives (the fruit of Olea europaea; family Oleaceae), a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin, produced by pressing whole olives and extracting the oil. It is commonly used in cooking, for frying foods or as a salad dressing. It is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps, and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps, and has additional uses in some religions. The olive is one of three core food plants in Mediterranean cuisine; the other two are wheat and grapes. Olive trees have been grown around the Mediterranean since the 8th millennium BC.

The top five producers of olive oil by volume are Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Per capita consumption is highest in Greece, followed by Spain and Italy.

The composition of olive oil varies with the cultivar, altitude, time of harvest and extraction process. It consists mainly of oleic acid (up to 83%), with smaller amounts of other fatty acids including linoleic acid (up to 21%) and palmitic acid (up to 20%). Extra virgin olive oil is required to have no more than 0.8% free acidity and is considered to have favorable flavor characteristics.

Olive oil has long been a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, including ancient Greek and Roman cuisine. Wild olives, which originated in Asia Minor, were collected by Neolithic people as early as the 8th millennium BC. Besides food, olive oil has been used for religious rituals, medicines, as a fuel in oil lamps, soap-making, and skin care application. The Spartans and other Greeks used oil to rub themselves while exercising in the gymnasia. From its beginnings early in the 7th century BC, the cosmetic use of olive oil quickly spread to all of the Hellenic city states, together with athletes training in the nude, and lasted close to a thousand years despite its great expense. 

Symbolism and mythology

Olive crusher (trapetum) in Pompeii (79 AD)

The olive tree has historically been a symbol of peace between nations. It has played a religious and social role in Greek mythology, especially concerning the name of the city of Athens where the city was named after the goddess Athena because her gift of an olive tree was held to be more precious than rival Poseidon's gift of a salt spring.

The_Manufacture_of_Oil_drawn_and_engraved_by_J_Amman_in_the_Sixteenth_Century

Uses

Culinary use

Vinegar and olive oil

Olive oil is an important cooking oil in countries surrounding the Mediterranean, and it forms one of the three staple food plants of Mediterranean cuisine, the other two being wheat (as in pasta, bread, and couscous) and the grape, used as a dessert fruit and for wine.

Extra virgin olive oil is mostly used as a salad dressing and as an ingredient in salad dressings. It is also used with foods to be eaten cold. If uncompromised by heat, the flavor is stronger. It also can be used for sautéing.

When extra virgin olive oil is heated above 210–216 °C (410–421 °F), depending on its free fatty acid content, the unrefined particles within the oil are burned. This leads to deteriorated taste. Refined olive oils are suited for deep frying because of the higher smoke point and milder flavour. Extra virgin oils have a smoke point around 180–215 °C (356–419 °F),^[1] with higher-quality oils having a higher smoke point, whereas refined light olive oil has a smoke point up to 230 °C (446 °F). It is a "popular myth" that high-quality extra virgin olive oil is a poor choice for cooking, as its smoke point is above the temperatures required for cooking, and has greater resistance to oxidation than most other cooking oils, as a result of its antioxidant and mono-unsaturated fat content.

Olives in olive oil

Choosing a cold-pressed olive oil can be similar to selecting a wine. The flavor of these oils varies considerably and a particular oil may be more suited for a particular dish.

Fresh oil, as available in an oil-producing region, tastes noticeably different from the older oils available elsewhere. In time, oils deteriorate and become stale. One-year-old oil may be still pleasant to the taste, but it is less fragrant than fresh oil. After the first year, olive oil is more suitable for cooking than serving raw.

Religious use

Christianity

The Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches use olive oil for the Oil of Catechumens (used to bless and strengthen those preparing for Baptism) and Oil of the Sick (used to confer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick or Unction). Olive oil mixed with a perfuming agent such as balsam is consecrated by bishops as Sacred Chrism, which is used to confer the sacrament of Confirmation (as a symbol of the strengthening of the Holy Spirit), in the rites of Baptism and the ordination of priests and bishops, in the consecration of altars and churches, and, traditionally, in the anointing of monarchs at their coronation.

Eastern Orthodox Christians still use oil lamps in their churches, home prayer corners and in the cemeteries. A vigil lamp consists of a votive glass containing a half-inch of water and filled the rest with olive oil. The glass has a metal holder that hangs from a bracket on the wall or sits on a table. A cork float with a lit wick floats on the oil. To douse the flame, the float is carefully pressed down into the oil. Makeshift oil lamps can easily be made by soaking a ball of cotton in olive oil and forming it into a peak. The peak is lit and then burns until all the oil is consumed, whereupon the rest of the cotton burns out. Olive oil is a usual offering to churches and cemeteries.

Judaism

In Jewish observance, olive oil was the only fuel allowed to be used in the seven-branched menorah in the Mishkan service during the Exodus of the tribes of Israel from Egypt, and later in the permanent Temple in Jerusalem. It was obtained by using only the first drop from a squeezed olive and was consecrated for use only in the Temple by the priests and stored in special containers. In modern times, although candles can be used to light the menorah at Hanukkah, oil containers are preferred, to imitate the original menorah.Olive oil was also used to prepare the holy anointing oil used for priests, kings, prophets, and others.

Skin care

One study found that olive oil lowered the risk of dermatitis for infants in all gestational stages when compared with emollient cream, while another study of adults found that topical treatment with olive oil "significantly damages the skin barrier" when compared to sunflower oil, and that it may make existing atopic dermatitis worse. The researchers concluded that due to the negative outcome in adults, they do not recommend the use of olive oil for the treatment of dry skin and infant massage. Applying olive oil to the skin does not help prevent or reduce stretch marks.

Other

Olive oil is also a natural and safe lubricant, and can be used to lubricate kitchen machinery (grinders, blenders, cookware, etc.). It can also be used for illumination (oil lamps) or as the base for soaps and detergents. Some cosmetics also use olive oil as their base, and it can be used as a substitute for machine oil. 

The Ranieri Filo della Torre is an international literary prize for writings about extra virgin olive oil. It yearly honors poetry, fiction and non-fiction about extra virgin olive oil.

10 Facts About Olive Oil

1. Greece is the world’s third largest producer of olive oil and the world’s largest exporter of extra virgin olive oil.  Its extra virgin olive oil is so good that it is exported even to countries such as Italy and Spain.
2. Olive oil is extremely high in oleic acid which is used to reduce blood pressure.  Olive oil also contains many antioxidants including vitamin E, carotenoids and oleuropein.
3. Extra virgin olive oil comes from the first pressing of the olives with no chemicals used to extract the oil.  This means it has a wonderful, fresh, clean taste.
4. Olive oil is believed to have a protective effect against a variety of cancers, including breast, prostate, endometrium and digestive tract.
5. The fresher the olive oil, the better the taste.  After a year or so, oil is best used for cooking and fresh oil used for salad dressings and other cold uses.
6. Olive oil has a higher proportion of monounsaturated fats than animal fat, which is often high in saturated fat.  Studies have indicated that if you replace saturated fats with monounsaturated fats, you can lower your risk of coronary heart disease.
7. Because oil flows from the olives naturally when they are crushed, the vitamins and natural ingredients are not destroyed with chemicals and preservatives.
8. Greek people eat an average of 26 litres of olive oil each every year!
9. Studies have shown that olive oil reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases levels of good cholesterol (HDL).
10. One olive tree can produce around four litres of oil every year for hundreds of years.

OLIVE OIL-ppt

OLIVE OIL in video

 

HAMBURGERS-Passive Voice

 THE STORY OF THE HAMBURGER

The hamburger is the most eaten food in the whole world. The first hamburgers were made and sold in Connecticut in 1895 by an American called Louis Lassen. Louis called them hamburgers because he was given the recipe by sailors from Hamburg in Germany.

Hamburgers became a favourite meal in America in the early part of the twentieth century. Their popularity grew even more after the Second World War, when they were bought in large quantities by teenagers who preferred fast food to family meals. In 1948 two brothers Dick and Mac Donald opened a drive-in hamburger restaurant in San Bernardino, California.

Since then over 25,000 McDonald’s restaurants have been opened worldwide and now 35 million MacDonald's hamburgers are eaten every day in 115 countries from India to the Arctic Circle.

Exercise :

 Put the verbs into the correct tense, active or passive.

The first hamburgers (make) in 1895. Louis Lassen (call) them hamburgers because he (give) the recipe by sailors. Hamburgers (become) his favourite meal. Their popularity (grow) even more when they (buy) in large quantities by teenagers who (prefer) fast food. Dick and Mac MacDonald (open) a drive-in hamburger restaurant. 25,000 McDonald's restaurants (open) worldwide. More than 35 million hamburgers (eat) every day.

 

Answer:
The first hamburgers were made(make) in 1895. Louis Lassen called(call) them hamburgers 
because he was given(give) the recipe by sailors. Hamburgers became(become) his favourite meal. 
Their popularitygrew(grow) even more when they were bought(buy) in large quantities by teenagers who preferred(prefer) fast food. Dick and Mac MacDonald opened(open) a drive-in hamburger restaurant. 25,000 McDonald's restaurants have been opened(open) worldwide. More than 35 million hamburgers are eaten(eat) every day.

SUGAR-WHITE GOLD

 What you always wanted to know about sugar!!

CHRISTMAS WISHES

 

WRITING A RESTAURANT REVIEW

Writing a review for a restaurant can be challenging. Here are three review that might help you. Notice the vocabulary, simple but precise for each section that is described.

ex.1

The House Polo Restaurant

(Name/location)
The ‘House’ is a restaurant situated in the heart of a small village between three national forests and close to the horse´s capital city, Chantilly. It is the favourite hangout place for people from the polo, horse races, and golf world.

(Atmosphere/decor)

As you enter the place you are welcomed by a magnificent setting, a delightful marriage of antique cut stones and the luxuries of modernity.  Sitting in any table you have a wonderful view of the workshop-like kitchen where you can see the chefs working. For those who do not book a table and are waiting, there is a cosy lounge with aged leather armchairs and pictures of polo players displayed on the walls. 

(The menu/dishes)

The menu offers a wide variety of mouth-watering starters. I had the white asparagus accompanied by a mousseline sauce and poached eggs, while my friend tried the zucchini carpaccio served with sundries tomatoes and a mozzarella strudel. They were exquisite. The main course consisted of a risotto with scallop cooked in cream and a cassolette of coley with mussels, which really thrilled us. It all was followed by a delicious apple pie served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. 

(The ingredients/the wine/the prices)

All the products were fresh and the dishes had the warmth of home-made food. The chefs take great care in selecting the best quality ingredients. The restaurant also caters for all tastes by providing a large selection of the best wines of the region, which are pricy but worth sampling.

(The service/the waiters/the owner)

What a pity that the service does not accompany the high quality of the cooking. You can hardly get a smile out of the waitresses. Thankfully the owner and hostess, a middle-aged charming woman, is always around willing to exchange some kind words with all her clients.

(Recommendation)

Despite the high price of the food and the not so attentive waiters´ service, I had a pleasant dining experience with food of the most exquisite flavours. For this reason I highly recommend going to the House Polo restaurant.    (260-320 words)


ex. 2

The "Aila Nera" restaurant

The "Aila Nera" is a newly-opened restaurant in the centre of town. It is also by far the best place for families and friends to spend a nice and quiet evening eating delicious home-made food.

I had the opportunity to go there to celebrate my father’s birthday and I had a wonderful time.   

As you enter the place you are welcomed by a familiar and cosy atmosphere. The walls are made of stone, which gives the restaurant a vintage and traditional look, and there are just a few tables. There is some soft background music from the 80s and 90s.

Regarding the food, they offer a variety of focaccia bread rolls as a starter, with tomato sauce, mozzarella, zucchini and almonds. They were my favourite part of the meal.   The main course that I had consisted of pasta: gnocchi with different sauces. It tasted like heaven on earth. They also have desserts in the menú; I chose to have creme brulee.

Slightly disappointing though, was the service. I had to wait twenty minutes for the dishes to arrive, as there were only two waitresses. However, I have to say in their defence, that both of them were very young, kind and friendly.

Despite the long wait for the food, it was absolutely mouthwatering, and the atmosphere very pleasant. For this reason, I have no hesitation in recommending going to the "Aila Nera" restaurant. Judging on the taste of the dishes, I would give it 5 stars!       (220-260 words)


ex. 3

Papa Grill

For those who haven't recently been to Papa Grill (in the Loeh's Plaza shopping area on Hillanle Road, close to Rt. 85), it's really gotten quite excellent. This is a classic (and classy) family-run restaurant. Sam Papas is the executive chef, his brother Chris is the general manager and maitre d', and their parents (Glen and Angelika Papas) are the owners. Sam is turning out some wonderful dishes, including a truly superb "confit" of salmon and an excellent roasted lamb; and all of the traditional Greek dishes (the family being of Greek ancestry and the restaurant itself describing its food as "Hellenic and Mediterranean Rim") are also first rate. The restaurant's atmosphere is sophisticated but, at the same time, almost homey, making Papa Grill a very pleasant dining experience. Prices, too, are reasonable for the quality, though certainly not cheap. My only complaint is that the wine list, which otherwise is quite good, does not list vintages.

"Remember, Remember...."

November 5th- Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night

Who was Guy Fawkes? Everything you need to know about the 5th of November.

We all know the rhyme "remember, remember, the 5th of November", when crowds gather to watch effigies of Guy Fawkes being burnt on a bonfire.

But why do we commemorate Bonfire Night with spectacular pyrotechnics, who was Guy Fawkes and what did he do to deserve such a fiery fate?

What is Bonfire Night and why do we celebrate it?

Known as Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night, November 5 marks the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. A group of English Catholic conspirators, incensed by anti-Catholic sentiment during the reign of King James I, planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate the monarch in the process.  

Thirty-six barrels of gunpowder were transported to Westminster and placed in a cellar beneath the Houses of Parliament, where they were guarded by Guy Fawkes. On November 5 1605, guards were alerted to the threat, leading to a search of the cellars and the discovery of both the gunpowder and Guy Fawkes.

Who was Guy Fawkes?

Although he was not the ringleader of the gang, Guy Fawkes has gained the most notoriety. As the member charged with the task of lighting the fuse that would set off the explosives, he was the one caught guarding them during a search of the cellars beneath Westminster.

After his capture Fawkes was to be hung, drawn and quartered - a gruesome death sentence which involved cutting off of prisoners’ genitalia and removing their entrails before their eyes.

However, he managed to avoid this horrifying fate by jumping from the scaffolding where he had been taken to be hung, causing instant death from a broken neck.

How is Bonfire Night celebrated?

Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated with firework displays, whose sparks and flashing colours are intended to resemble the sights and sounds of the explosion that would have been. In the immediate aftermath of the failed plot, bonfires were lit in honour of King James’ survival. This tradition continues today, with effigies of Guy Fawkes made by local communities being burned.

EYE COLORS

Nationalities and Costumes

ΠΙΣΤΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΜΑΘΗΤΩΝ Γ' ΤΑΞΗΣ ΣΤΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΑ ΤΠΕ

Και η σχετική αίτηση εδώ.

BACK TO SCHOOL!!

HAVE A FANTASTIC, AWESOME, INSPIRED AND CHALLENGING NEW SCHOOL YEAR!!!!

UNUSUAL MUSEUMS IN LONDON

ΑΣΥΝΗΘΙΣΤΑ ΛΟΝΔΡΕΖΙΚΑ ΜΟΥΣΕΙΑ

Το Μεγάλο Ρολόι

Μπορεί το Βρετανικό Μουσείο (British Museum) ή το Μουσείο Βικτορίας και  Αλβέρτου (Victoria and Albert Museum) να είναι ανάμεσα στα πιο γνωστά αξιοθέατα του Λονδίνου, όμως η βρετανική μητρόπολη διαθέτει πολλά μικρότερα  μουσεία, μερικά με ασυνήθιστη θεματολογία, που απευθύνονται σε όλα τα γούστα!       

 Για παράδειγμα, οι επισκέπτες μπορούν να απολαύσουν το Geffrye Museum στο Hackney το οποίο, ξεκινώντας από τον 17^ο  αιώνα, παρουσιάζει εσωτερικούς χώρους από κατοικίες της μεσαίας τάξης! Το Magic Circle Museum στο Euston είναι αφιερωμένο στην τέχνη των μεγάλων ταχυδακτυλουργών, ξεκινώντας  από την εποχή του Χάρι Χουντίνι.  Το London Sewing Machine Museum στο Wimbledon  παρουσιάζει ραπτομηχανές όλων των εποχών, ενώ στο London Fire Brigade Museum στο Southwark, οι επισκέπτες μπορούν να δουν πυροσβεστικά οχήματα και στολές από την Βικτωριανή εποχή. Καθώς και το Whitechapel Bell Foundry, όπου κανείς μπορεί να μάθει πώς κατασκευάστηκε η καμπάνα του Big Ben!  

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες για το Λονδίνο, επισκεφτείτε το site του Λονδίνου: visitor-guide

Απολαύστε ένα video με το Λονδίνο όπως το είδαν οι Beatles!