is a 6 part video series that helps you learn how to talk about your own cultural dish when asked to bring a plate.
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Venezuelan empanadas
Transcript
Narrator: What does it mean if you are asked to bring a plate? An empty plate?
[crickets chirping]
Oh, I get it. Bring a plate. In Australia, bring a plate means to bring a plate of food to share. In this series, we'll learn about the English language. So next time you're asked to bring a plate, you'll feel more confident in sharing your dish with others and asking about theirs.
It's all about coming together.
Welcome to "Bring A Plate".
JC: Okay, let's talk street food. I feel that the Philippines has one of the most diverse street foods, and I want you guys to prove me wrong.
Narrator: I think Keyma's up for the challenge. Now it's her turn to use the four steps of dish to describe her special dish. Let's refresh.
D is for describe.
I is for ingredients.
S, what is special about the dish.
And H, how do you cook it and how do you eat it?
Now, I bet you haven't tried street food like this.
Group: Oh!
Keyma: Have you seen this before?
Group: No.
Keyma: So these are empanadas, Venezuelan empanadas. They are like a wrapped patty with fillings inside. They're crunchy and savory, and sometimes it can be spicy, but they are delicious.
Narrator: Keyma described her dish and I'm already hungry. Now for the ingredients.
Lee: Do these have any meat in them?
Keyma: Yeah, they actually do, but you can make them with any fillings you like. I mean, they are made out of cheese, chorizo, chicken, even leftovers. They're very versatile. And basically you first make a cornmeal patty or the cornmeal dough and then fill it with any fillings you like. And because they take so many different flavors, this is the perfect dish for a bring a plate.
Narrator: Oh, with those ingredients, there is something for everyone.
Nimi: I have seen variety of street foods in India, like samosas, pakoras. How does it look like in Venezuela?
Narrator: Interesting question, Nimi. I'd love to know too.
Keyma: Venezuela is so colorful in terms of street food. There's so many choices. I have very fond memories of growing up in Venezuela and exploring different street food. In my family, every Thursday was street food day, which meant no cooking for mum. We only had to walk two blocks and we would find many empanada options. Finding empanadas was easy. I love empanadas so much that this was like an empanada wonderland. Cheddar cheese, feta cheese, fish, beef, chorizo, sausages, quail eggs, tuna. But my favourite one was the Pabellón Empanada. Pabellón is the national dish of Venezuela, and this empanada puts all of the ingredients from Pabellón inside the empanada. Shredded beef, salty black beans, and fried sweet plantains. It's not possible to describe how good it tastes when you are eat empanadas in Venezuela, but I've tried to make these just as delicious.
[Spanish guitar playing]
Lee: My mouth is watering.
Rachel: I know.
Lee: I think, I think we should all dig in.
Keyma: Go for it.
[Spanish music playing]
JC: That was amazing. Okay? I know that the Philippines has a, our version of empanadas, but it's not like that. So how do you make your empanadas?
Narrator: Good question JC. Keyma, teach me your ways.
Keyma: Our empanadas are very particular in the sense that they're made with cornmeal, and we make a dough with cornmeal, water, and some sweetness and salt, and then we fill it with any, any fillings we feel like, and especially leftovers are great for empanadas. And then we deep fry them, which is the best part.
JC: Yes. Who doesn't like fried food? It's amazing.
Rachel: How about the sauce?
Keyma: The sauces are a huge part of empanadas culture because the condiments is what it enhances the empanadas. So I guess every, every empanada has to have a condiment next to it.
Narrator: And there we have Dish. That looks like a lot of empanadas. Maybe I can take one?
[Spanish music playing]
Watch more episodes
JC's Chicken and Pork Adobo with Egg | Bring a Plate | Ep 1
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Bring A Plate