Boost Your English Skills by Reading Recipes
Did you know that reading recipes can significantly improve your English?
1.Expands Vocabulary:
Recipes introduce you to new words and phrases related to cooking and baking.
You'll learn specific terms and their meanings, enhancing your overall vocabulary.
2. Enhances Grammar Skills:
Recipes use various grammatical structures, such as imperative verbs (e.g., "mix," "bake," "knead").
Recognising and understanding these structures can strengthen your grammar skills.
3. Practical Application:
Following recipes provides a practical context for using English. You'll see how the language is used in real-life situations, making your learning experience more relevant and engaging.
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Let's start!
Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies for EFL / ESL Practice
Ingredients:
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 cup (220g) packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups (340g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Mix the wet ingredients:
In a large bowl, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Combine dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Shape the cookies:
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centres are still soft.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Enjoy:
Enjoy your homemade chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk or your
favourite beverage!
Recipe TIP!
Feel free to customise this recipe by adding nuts, using different types of chocolate chips, or experimenting with different flavours!
Vocabulary List & Meaning With Explanation
(i) baking-related words
dough= a mixture of flour, water, and other ingredients that is kneaded and shaped to make bread, cookies, or pastries.
yeast= used in baking to ferment and cause dough to rise.
oven= an enclosed compartment for cooking and baking food.
flour= a powder obtained by grinding grains, used as a main ingredient in baking.
pastry= a dough made of flour, water, and fat that is used as a base for baked goods such as pies and tarts.
whisk= a cooking utensil used to blend ingredients smoothly or to incorporate air into a mixture.
recipe=a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required.
icing=a sweet glaze made of sugar and liquid, often flavoured, used to cover or decorate baked goods.
batter= A semi-liquid mixture of flour, milk, and other ingredients used for baking or cooking.
(ii) baking-related verbs
mix= to combine ingredients thoroughly to form a uniform mixture.
whisk= to beat or stir (a substance, especially cream or eggs) with a light, rapid movement.
bake= to cook food by dry heat in an oven.
knead= to work (dough or clay) into a uniform mixture by pressing, folding, and stretching.
rise= to swell up and become light and full of air, usually referring to dough that has been left to ferment with yeast.
frost= to cover (a cake or other baked goods) with a layer of icing or frosting.
roll= to flatten dough into a thin, even layer using a rolling pin.
measure= to determine the amount of an ingredient using a measuring tool.
preheat= to heat an oven to a specific temperature before putting food in to bake.
sift=to put a dry ingredient through a sieve or sifter to remove lumps and add air.
Exercise
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct verb from the list below.
Verbs: Mix, Whisk, Bake, Knead, Rise, Frost, Roll, Measure, Preheat, Sift
a) Before you start, make sure to _______ the oven to the correct temperature.
b) _______ the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
c) You need to _______ the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
d) The dough should be left in a warm place to _______.
e) Use a rolling pin to _______ the dough into a thin layer.
f) Carefully _______ the flour to remove any lumps.
g) _______ the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
h) After baking, let the cake cool before you _______ it with icing.
i) Remember to accurately _______ all your ingredients before mixing.
j) _______ the batter until it is smooth and well combined.
Answer Key:
a) preheat
b) mix
c) knead
d) rise
e) roll
f) sift
g) whisk
h) frost
i) measure
j) whisk
Learning Tip:
Start with simple recipes in English and gradually try more complex ones.
Practise by reading, understanding, and even trying to cook the dishes. You'll find that your English skills improve naturally and deliciously!
We hope you enjoyed reading the easy chocolate chip cookies recipe for your EFL / ESL practice.
Happy learning and happy cooking in English!
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