Introducing the Dish and Ingredients

The speaker introduces the name of the simple dish they will explain and lists all the necessary ingredients, including quantities, to the listener. This involves using vocabulary for food items and measurements.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

Emily (Female)

Hi David! I was thinking of making that simple tomato pasta dish you mentioned. Can you remind me what it's called and what I need for it?

David (Male)

Of course, Emily! It's just a basic 'Quick Tomato Pasta.' Super easy. For the ingredients, you'll need one box of your favorite pasta, about 400 grams usually.

Emily (Female)

Okay, one box of pasta. Got it. What else?

David (Male)

Then you'll need one can of crushed tomatoes, around 700 to 800 grams. And for aromatics, two cloves of garlic, minced, and half a medium onion, finely chopped.

Emily (Female)

Crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Check. Do I need any herbs or spices?

David (Male)

Yes, absolutely! A teaspoon of dried oregano, half a teaspoon of dried basil, and then a quarter cup of fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish at the end. Don't forget salt and pepper to taste, and about two tablespoons of olive oil.

Emily (Female)

Oregano, basil, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Wow, that's more than I thought, but it still sounds manageable.

David (Male)

It is! And the best part is, most of these are pantry staples. That's all you need for the ingredients. Ready for the steps?

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

pasta

Pasta is a type of Italian food made from dough, like spaghetti or penne, often boiled and served with sauce. It's a staple in quick meals.

crushed tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes are canned tomatoes that have been broken into small pieces, used as a base for sauces in dishes like pasta.

minced

Minced means chopped into very small pieces, often used for garlic or herbs to release flavor evenly in cooking.

finely chopped

Finely chopped means cut into tiny, even pieces, like for onions, to make them cook quickly and blend into sauces.

oregano

Oregano is a dried herb with a strong, earthy flavor, commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean recipes like pasta sauces.

basil

Basil is an herb with a sweet, fresh aroma, used dried or fresh in Italian dishes; dried basil adds flavor to tomato-based sauces.

garnish

A garnish is a small amount of food, like chopped parsley, added at the end to decorate and improve the taste of a dish.

pantry staples

Pantry staples are basic ingredients like salt, oil, or herbs that you always keep in your kitchen cupboard for everyday cooking.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

For the ingredients, you'll need one box of your favorite pasta, about 400 grams usually.

This sentence introduces ingredients with 'for the ingredients, you'll need' to list items clearly. It's useful for recipes; 'about' shows approximate quantities, common in casual cooking instructions.

Then you'll need one can of crushed tomatoes, around 700 to 800 grams.

Using 'then' connects items in a sequence, helping to build a list step by step. This pattern is great for explaining shopping lists or recipe parts; 'around' indicates a range for flexibility.

What else?

This short question prompts more information in a conversation. It's practical for interviews or discussions, like asking for additional details in a recipe or instructions.

Do I need any herbs or spices?

This uses 'do I need' to ask about requirements, with 'any' for unspecified items. It's useful in shopping or cooking contexts to clarify if extras like seasonings are necessary.

A teaspoon of dried oregano, half a teaspoon of dried basil, and then a quarter cup of fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish at the end.

This lists measurements precisely with units like 'teaspoon' and 'cup,' using 'and then' for addition. It's key for recipe accuracy; explains purpose ('for garnish') to show when to use items.

Don't forget salt and pepper to taste, and about two tablespoons of olive oil.

'Don't forget' reminds someone of essentials, and 'to taste' means add until it tastes right, common in cooking for personalization. Useful for giving complete recipe advice.

That's all you need for the ingredients. Ready for the steps?

This concludes a list with 'that's all' and transitions with a question. It's helpful for structuring explanations, like moving from ingredients to instructions in a tutorial or guide.