is a 6 part video series that helps you learn how to talk about your own cultural dish when asked to bring a plate.
Links:
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Get the recipe
Koosa mahshi (Stuffed zucchini)
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: I like to stretch. If I stretch, I can eat some more.
Rachel: I like to shake.
Lee: Or you have to unbutton your pants, just sit back, just take a breath. That's my go to.
Keyma: But I definitely have some space. So let's dig in.
Rayan: Does everyone still have room for stuffed zucchini or as we call it in Syria, "Koosa Mahshi"?
Narrator: Yeah, that looks good. Now it's up to Rayan to use the four steps of DISH to describe his special dish.
D, how would you describe the dish?
I, what are the ingredients?
S, what is special about the dish?
And H, how it's made or how to eat it?
Nimi: Can you say it please?
Rayan: "Koosa Mahshi".
Group: "Koosa Mahshi".
Rayan: It's my favorite Syrian dish and it's a juicy, tender and we cook it in a yoghurt or a tomato sauce.
Narrator: I like the description. I'm sure I'll like the dish.
Lee: What's in the tomato stew?
Rayan: There's actually garlic and some mint. Inside the zucchini, there's rice and ground beef. I made it with tomato sauce today. And hope you guys like it.
JC: Yeah, looks great.
Rachel: Smells yummy.
Nimi: Your mum cooked it?
Rayan: Yeah, yeah. And this dish brings out of memories.
Nimi: So Rayan this is a very special memory for you?
Rayan: Yeah, it is.
Narrator: Good question, Nimi. I’m sure this dish is very special.
Rayan: I do have fond memories of being a child in Syria. I grew up in a small town. The population was about 2000. My aunties and uncles all lived in the same neighbourhood. It was a large property that my grandfather bought for his children. We would eat together and cook together all the time. Stuffed zucchini was one of our favorites. Things became unsafe in Syria and there were no more opportunities for us. Other family members went to different parts of the world. In 2015, my father, sister, mother and I, all moved to Australia. It was scary and lonely at first. We were so used to having all of our family nearby. Now it was just us. But over time I learned to make friends, getting to know people of all different cultures here in Australia. I like to cook meals that mum used to cook for the family, which makes feel like home.
Nimi: It reminds you of grandmum as well.
Rayan: Yeah, yeah.
Lee: Well it definitely smells really good.
Rachel: Yeah, I can smell from like a far away.
Keyma: We're all salivating.
JC: I think we all need to be a part of Rayan's family and get tucked into this dish.
Rachel: I agree.
Keyma: So right.
JC: You wanna serve?
Rayan: Yeah, let's do it.
[Middle Eastern music playing]
Keyma: I have to ask, how do you stuff the zucchini without breaking them?
Narrator: Good question, Keyma. They seem very delicate.
Rayan: We use a small tool to empty the zucchini and we stuff it with raw rice and raw meat with some salt and black pepper. But you have to not to over stuff it because otherwise the zucchini will blow in the pot. Um, yeah.
Lee: so good.
Narrator: And there it is. DISH. Rayan, I think I'm gonna have to call your mum for that recipe. They look great.
[Middle Eastern music playing]
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JC's Chicken and Pork Adobo with Egg | Bring a Plate | Ep 1
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