Learning to Cook for Himself

Living alone for the first time, Rahul calls his mother for a simple recipe and tries cooking dinner for himself.

Meanings in Rahul, Anita (mother, on call)

Key words and phrases

recipea set of instructions for preparing a dishHe asked his mother for a simple recipe.

ingredientsthe items used to prepare a dishHe checked if he had all the ingredients.

chopto cut something into small piecesHe chopped the onions and tomatoes.

simmerto cook gently at a low temperatureLet the curry simmer for ten minutes.

seasonto add salt, spices, or herbs to improve flavourSeason the dish with salt and pepper.

burntcooked too much and spoiled by heatHis first attempt at rice was slightly burnt.

kitchen utensilstools used for cookingHe bought some basic kitchen utensils.

leftoversfood remaining after a meal, saved for laterHe stored the leftovers in the fridge.

step by stepone stage at a time, in orderHis mother explained the recipe step by step.

proud of himselffeeling satisfaction in one's own achievementHe felt proud of himself after the meal turned out well.

marinateto soak food in spices or sauce before cookingHe let the chicken marinate for an hour.

garnishto decorate a dish with a small extra item before servingShe garnished the dal with fresh coriander.

boilto heat a liquid until it bubblesBoil the water before adding the rice.

stirto mix food with a spoon while cookingStir the curry so it doesn't stick to the pan.

pressure cookera sealed pot that cooks food quickly using steam pressureHe used a pressure cooker to cook the dal fast.

non-stick pana pan with a coating that prevents food from stickingFry the eggs in the non-stick pan.

taste testchecking the flavour of food while cooking to adjust itAlways do a taste test before serving.

spatulaa flat tool used to flip or stir food while cookingUse a spatula to turn the paratha.

measuring cupa cup marked with lines to measure ingredients accuratelyUse a measuring cup for the rice and water ratio.

low flamea small, gentle fire used for slow cookingCook the curry on a low flame for better taste.

Useful sentences

Ask Mom, can you tell me a simple recipe for dinner?
Answer Sure, let's start with a simple dal and rice.
Ask Do I need to chop the vegetables first?
Answer Yes, chop the onions and tomatoes finely.
Ask How long should I let it simmer?
Answer Let it simmer for about fifteen minutes.
Ask What if the rice gets burnt?
Answer Just lower the flame next time and keep an eye on it.
Ask Can I store the leftovers for tomorrow?
Answer Yes, just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Ask Should I marinate the vegetables before cooking?
Answer It's optional, but it does add more flavour.
Ask Can I use the pressure cooker for the dal?
Answer Yes, it will cook much faster that way.
Ask How do I know if the curry needs more salt?
Answer Just do a quick taste test before serving.
Ask Which pan should I fry the eggs in?
Answer Use the non-stick pan, it's easier to handle.
Ask Should I keep the flame high while cooking the dal?
Answer No, keep it on a low flame so it cooks evenly.

Dialogue

RahulMom, I want to cook dinner myself today. Can you help?

AnitaOf course! Let's start with something simple, dal and rice.

RahulOkay, I've chopped the onions. What's next?

AnitaNow add them to the hot oil and let them turn golden.

RahulIt's simmering now! It actually smells really good.

AnitaThat's wonderful! I'm proud of you for trying this on your own.

RahulWhat should I do now, Mom? Should I stir it?

AnitaYes, stir it gently and then do a quick taste test.

RahulIt tastes good, but maybe it needs a little more salt.

AnitaAdd a pinch, then garnish it with coriander and serve.

Common mistakes

Saying "cook the food" and "prepare the food" as strictly different — both are commonly interchangeable in everyday cooking contexts.
Saying "put simmer" instead of "let it simmer" or "simmer it."
Saying "the rice is burn" instead of "the rice is burnt" or "the rice got burnt."
Saying "boil the flame" instead of "boil the water" or "turn up the flame."
Saying "mix the curry" when "stir the curry" is the natural phrase used while cooking.
Saying "taste the food test" instead of the correct order "do a taste test" or "taste the food."

Quick quiz

1. What does "simmer" mean?

2. The items used to prepare a dish are called ___.

3. Complete: "His mother explained the recipe ___."

4. What does "marinate" mean?

5. Which tool is used to flip or stir food while cooking?

6. Complete: "Cook the curry on a ___ flame for better taste."

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