Woman: First of all, break two eggs into the bowl.

Man: Okay, do we need the yolks¹ and the whites²?

Woman: Yes, we don’t waste anything in here! Add some seasoning³.

Man: Salt, pepper, anything else?

Woman: You can add some herbs⁴ as well, just for flavour.

Man: Right, and then add in the mince⁵?

Woman: That’s right. Add in the mince, a little bit of flour⁶, and mix it all up with your hands.

Man: Like this?

Woman: That’s right. It needs to get nice and⁷ sticky.

Man: Is this okay?

Woman: Yeah, that’s perfect. Now, start rolling the meat into little balls.

Man: This big?

Woman: That’s a bit too big. Make them about the size of a ping-pong ball.

Man: Okay, what next?

Woman: We’ll fry them in a little oil. Turn them every few minutes so they don’t burn.

Man: Shall I start on the sauce?

Woman: Sure. Just fry some onion and garlic, add the tomatoes, and then blend⁸ it all together. It’s really simple.

Man: Do I need to chop the onion up finely⁹, or what?

Woman: You’re going to blend it, so it doesn’t make any difference. Just chop it roughly.

Man: Mmm, I’m getting quite hungry! It smells good.

Woman: Well, it’ll be ready in ten minutes, then we can eat!

1. The yolk = the yellow part of the egg
2. The white = the white part of the egg
3. Seasoning = spices and other things which add flavour to a dish
4. Herbs = plants which have a strong flavour, used as seasoning
5. Mince = meat which has been cut into very small pieces, usually using a machine
6. Flour = a white powder, made from wheat, which is used to make bread
7. Nice and + adjective is a conversational phrase. The meaning is similar to quite = more than a little bit
8. Blend = use a special machine to mix all the food together using a sharp blade which spins around
9. Chop something finely = chop into very small pieces

Can you guess the words?

1. It’s a white powder which adds flavour to food.
2. It’s a verb which means use your hands to make something into a round shape.
3. It’s a verb which means to cook in oil.
4. It’s a kind of food which is a liquid, which you add to a dish.
5. It’s a verb which means to cut something into pieces.

Complete the sentences with one word

6. Mix everything _____ really well in a big bowl.
7. Add _____ the vegetables and a little salt and pepper.
8. It won’t make any _____ if some are a little bit bigger.
9. Use some herbs to give it more _____
10. You need to stir the sauce every minute, otherwise it might _____

1. Salt
2. Roll sth up
3. To fry
4. Sauce
5. Chop
6. Up (together could also be used)
7. In
8. Difference
9. Flavour
10. Burn