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Food & Recipe English Vocabulary: Pumpkin Mousse Dessert

Updated: Jul 20

What You Can Expect to Learn and Review


Vocabulary & Grammar


- Expand your vocabulary with pumpkin recipe related words

- Practise or review your Imperative verbs as you go through this step-by-step recipe.

- Look out for example grammar you already know and practise or review in context.


Food & Recipe English Vocabulary - 17 Word List Explained

1. Thanksgiving

= a public holiday celebration in the US on the 4th Thursday of November

2. Jack-o'-lanterns (noun) = pumpkin with the insides removed and cut

on the sides with shapes that look like person's eyes and mouth

3. staple (n) = a basic or important product that people use

4. pantry (n) = a small room or cupboard for keeping food items


Ingredients Name List

5. ground cinnamon (n) = ​powder form cinnamon

6. ginger snap (n) = biscuit with ginger flavour

7. dusting (n). = sprinkle (few drops of something over the topping)

8. half & half (n) = a liquid of half cream & half milk

9. maple syrup (n)​ = thick sweet liquid from maple leaf (usually eaten with pancakes)

10. pumpkin puree ​= crushed pumpkin (thick smooth sauce)

11. real vanilla extract (n). = vanilla essence; flavouring


​12. halves (n) = half (singular), halves (plural)

13. fluffy (adj)​ = light and full of air (see photo)

14. serving (n) = amount of food for 1 person; portions

15. double (v)​ = increase twice

16. softened, cubed (v) ​= become soft, cut into cube shapes

17. optional (adj). = ​you can choose to do it or not



Part A

Say the word pumpkin and we think of jack-o'-lanterns and whipped cream covered Thanksgiving pies.


Pumpkin is traditionally considered a holiday food.


And it is a staple in kitchen pantries and freezers during this festive time of the year.


Meaning
Jack-o'-lanterns

Grammar Point!

'is considered' (Present Simple Passive)










Part B

This is a super easy recipe to do. It takes just 10 minutes and no cooking or baking is required.



1. Let's go through the Recipe Ingredients


Recipe : Creamy Pumpkin Mousse with Maple Whipped Cream


Preparation time : 10 minutes + time to chill Cook time : No cooking required Serves : 4-6


Ingredient List
Topic Vocabulary - Dessert Recipe

Ingredients:


- 1 pint heavy whipping cream (see photo)

- 6 Tablespoon real maple syrup, divided

-1 15-oz. can pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)

- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened, cubed

- 2 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

- 1/3 cup half & half



The above ingredients are easily available at the baking section of the supermarket.



Optional:


- Pecan halves (see photo)

- Ground cinnamon, for dusting (see photo)

- Ginger Snap cookies, for serving (see pho


Vocabulary Check!

dusting, serving (can be both a verb and also a noun)



Directions:

1. Beat the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl with a hand mixer until it doubles in size.


2. Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and continue beating until light and fluffy.


3. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.



Dessert Recipe
Food Ingredient Name List

3. Beat the following:

- pumpkin purée,

- cream cheese,

- pumpkin pie spice,

- vanilla extract,

- half & half,

- and remaining maple syrup


in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer until thoroughly blended.


Grammar Point!

We use the Imperative form verbs for giving instructions in recipes







Topic Vocabulary
Individual Dessert Bowls

3. Taste and adjust seasonings and transfer to individual dessert bowls.


4. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.


How to serve:


Remove from refrigerator and top with maple whipped cream, pecans, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.



Enjoy!




English Learning Tip!


How to take your Food & Recipe Vocabulary Learning further


1. Practise using new Vocabulary you've learnt.


i) Write down the Ingredients List.


ii) Summarise the instructions using your own words.


iii) Practise saying the steps out loud.


2. Practise using English you know - it doesn't have to be perfect.

a) Imagine you are sharing with your friend a step-by-step recipe.

b) Fill out the recipe page with the directions using your own words.



English Learning Tip!

Learning vocabulary goes hand in hand with grammar. You need both to make sentences.




Thanks so much for reading & Happy Learning.



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