Close reading Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Close reading - Essay Example On arrival at the hotel, we were welcomed by a smartly dressed lady in a white shirt and blue nicely fitting skirt. I later learnt was a headwaiter. She welcomed us in a professional manner and showed us to an unoccupied table close to the counter. The waiter gave us the menu to go through and as if to save time, she went through it mentioning the main dishes offered as I perused with little attention to what she was saying until I heard her mention the word Balut. I paused to look at her and she went on to underscore how favorite the food was among many patrons in the hotel. I asked the waiter to tell me more about ingredients and preparation of Balut. She explained that a duck’s egg prepared in the Filipino traditional style was the core component of the food. She said the egg is boiled and served when hot or warm and that it may not be as delicious if served when cold. My friend nodded in agreement and with a suggestive smile took the menu from my hands. I was curious and wanted to know more because I did not know anything unique in a duck’s egg apart from the fact that it is usually bigger than that of a chicken. The waiter informed me that other accompaniments depend on the tastes and preferences of the customer, for example ground pepper mixed with sour milk that is not fully fermented, lemon chips or garnish. Rice can also be served together with balut. What amazed me is the simplicity with which the waiter explained to me as if I was a member of the South Asian immigrant community who know balut. The waiter also informed me that apart from being a delicacy, balut has therapeutic value, which is the feature that is mostly sought after by immigrant South East Asians. According to Cherry and Morris, balut is known to strengthen the human immune system and was cholesterol free. I felt that I had come to the right place