How to use this lesson: read each item aloud, notice the collocation, cover the definition and retrieve the word from memory. Then use at least three items in your own sentences.
10 useful words and phrases
starter
A small first course of a meal.
Example: We shared a starter before the main course.
Natural collocation: order a starter
main course
The largest or most important course of a meal.
Example: I chose fish for my main course.
Natural collocation: main-course dish
dietary requirement
A food-related need or restriction.
Example: Tell the restaurant about any dietary requirements.
Natural collocation: special dietary requirements
fresh
Recently produced or prepared and not preserved.
Example: The café uses fresh ingredients.
Natural collocation: fresh produce
spicy
Having a strong hot flavour from spices.
Example: The curry was too spicy for me.
Natural collocation: spicy food
ingredient
One of the foods used to make a dish.
Example: Fresh tomatoes are the main ingredient.
Natural collocation: key ingredient
recipe
Instructions for preparing a dish.
Example: This recipe serves four people.
Natural collocation: follow a recipe
portion
An amount of food for one person.
Example: The portions were generous.
Natural collocation: large portion
season
To add salt, herbs or spices to food.
Example: Season the soup before serving.
Natural collocation: season well
grill
To cook food using strong heat from above or below.
Example: Grill the vegetables for five minutes.
Natural collocation: grilled vegetables
Quick vocabulary check
- 1. Which word means “a small first course of a meal”? starter
- 2. Which word means “the largest or most important course of a meal”? main course
- 3. Which word means “a food-related need or restriction”? dietary requirement
- 4. Which word means “recently produced or prepared and not preserved”? fresh
- 5. Which word means “having a strong hot flavour from spices”? spicy
Make the vocabulary active
Choose five items above and make them personal. Say one true sentence about your life, work, studies or experience for each item. For stronger recall, return tomorrow and try to reproduce the collocations without looking.