Adapting a Recipe When an Ingredient Is Missing | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At home, two adults adapt a recipe by substituting herbs and changing how they finish a sauce..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Adapting a Recipe When an Ingredient Is Missing to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La receta necesita albahaca fresca, pero solo tenemos hierbas secas.

lah reh-SEH-tah neh-seh-SEE-tah ahl-bah-AH-kah FREHS-kah, PEH-roh SOH-loh teh-NEH-mohs YEHR-bahs SEH-kahs. The recipe needs fresh basil, but we only have dried herbs.
B

Todavía podemos hacerla; el sabor solo será un poco diferente.

toh-dah-VEE-ah poh-DEH-mohs ah-SEHR-lah; ehl sah-BOR SOH-loh seh-RAH oon POH-koh dee-feh-REHN-teh. We can still make it; the flavor will just be a little different.
A

¿Deberíamos añadir las hierbas secas antes para que se ablanden en la salsa?

deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs ah-nyah-DEER lahs YEHR-bahs SEH-kahs AHN-tehs PAH-rah keh seh ah-BLAHN-dehn ehn lah SAHL-sah? Should we add the dried herbs earlier so they soften in the sauce?
B

Añádelas antes y usa menos, porque las hierbas secas pueden tener un sabor más fuerte.

ah-NYAH-deh-lahs AHN-tehs ee OO-sah MEH-nohs, POR-keh lahs YEHR-bahs SEH-kahs PWEH-dehn teh-NEHR oon sah-BOR mahs FWEHR-teh. Add them earlier and use less, because dried herbs can taste stronger.
A

La receta también dice que usemos nata para conseguir una textura suave.

lah reh-SEH-tah tahm-bee-EHN DEE-seh keh oo-SEH-mohs NAH-tah PAH-rah kohn-seh-GEER oo-nah tehs-TOO-rah SWAH-beh. The recipe also says to use cream for a smooth texture.
B

Si usamos yogur en su lugar, deberíamos bajar el fuego.

see oo-SAH-mohs yoh-GOOR ehn soo loo-GAHR, deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs bah-HAHR ehl FWEH-goh. If we use yogurt instead, we should lower the heat.
A

De lo contrario, la salsa podría separarse y verse extraña.

deh loh kohn-TRAH-ree-oh, lah SAHL-sah poh-DREE-ah seh-pah-RAHR-seh ee BEHR-seh ehs-TRAH-nyah. Otherwise the sauce might separate and look strange.
B

Incorporarlo poco a poco hacia el final debería ayudar.

een-kor-poh-RAHR-loh POH-koh ah POH-koh AH-see-ah ehl fee-NAHL deh-beh-REE-ah ah-yoo-DAHR. Stirring it in slowly near the end should help.
A

Si el resultado sale bien, anotaré la sustitución.

see ehl reh-sool-TAH-doh SAH-leh BYEHN, ah-noh-tah-REH lah soos-tee-too-see-OHN. If the result turns out well, I will write down the substitution.
B

Entonces, la próxima vez no tendremos que adivinar.

ehn-TOHN-sehs, lah PROHK-see-mah behs noh tehn-DREH-mohs keh ah-dee-bee-NAHR. Then next time we will not need to guess.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” before “receta” in “La receta”. It introduces the specific recipe being discussed, and the same article pattern can be used before a known feminine noun when talking about it at home or while cooking.
receta “Receta” means “recipe” in “La receta necesita”. It refers to the written cooking instructions, and “receta” can be used with verbs such as “necesita” to say what the recipe requires.
necesita “Necesita” means “needs” in “La receta necesita albahaca fresca”. Here, the recipe requires a particular ingredient; “necesita” can be followed by the thing that is required when discussing cooking instructions or supplies.
albahaca “Albahaca” means “basil” in “albahaca fresca”. It names the herb required by the recipe, and it can be used after a quantity or adjective when identifying an ingredient.
fresca “Fresca” means “fresh” in “albahaca fresca”. It describes the basil as fresh rather than dried and matches “albahaca”; this adjective pattern is useful when specifying the condition of an ingredient.
pero “Pero” means “but” and contrasts the recipe’s need for fresh basil with the herbs actually available. It connects two parts of a sentence when the second part presents a limitation or different fact.
solo “Solo” means “only” or “just” in “solo tenemos hierbas secas”. It limits what is available, and it can be placed before a verb or phrase to show that the amount or choice is restricted.
tenemos “Tenemos” means “we have” in “solo tenemos hierbas secas”. It states what the speakers currently possess, and “tenemos” can be followed by an ingredient, tool, or other available item when planning a meal.
hierbas “Hierbas” means “herbs” in “hierbas secas”. It refers to the herbs available as an alternative to basil, and the plural form is useful when talking about several herbs or herbs as a category.
secas “Secas” means “dried” in “hierbas secas”. It describes the condition of the herbs and matches “hierbas”; this pattern is useful when distinguishing dried ingredients from fresh ones.
Todavía “Todavía” means “still” in “Todavía podemos hacerla”. It shows that making the dish remains possible despite the missing fresh basil, and it can introduce a possibility that continues under changed circumstances.
podemos “Podemos” means “we can” in “Todavía podemos hacerla”. It expresses the speakers’ ability or possibility, and “podemos” can be followed by an infinitive to describe an action they are able to take while cooking.
hacerla “Hacerla” means “make it” in “podemos hacerla”. It combines the action of making with “la”, which refers to the feminine thing being made; an infinitive can carry an object pronoun in this way when the object is already understood.
el “El” means “the” before “sabor” in “el sabor”. It introduces the specific flavor of the dish, and this article pattern is used before a known masculine singular noun in a cooking discussion.
sabor “Sabor” means “flavor” in “el sabor solo será un poco diferente”. It refers to the taste produced by the adapted recipe, and it can be described with adjectives such as “diferente” or with expressions about strength.
será “Será” means “will be” in “el sabor solo será un poco diferente”. It presents the expected future state of the flavor, and it can be followed by an adjective when predicting how something will turn out.
un “Un” means “a” before “poco” in “un poco diferente”. Together they soften the description to “a little different”; this article is used in the expression “un poco” before an adjective or amount.
poco “Poco” means “a little” in “un poco diferente”. It limits the degree of difference in the flavor, and “un poco” can be placed before an adjective to express a small degree.
diferente “Diferente” means “different” in “un poco diferente”. It says that the flavor will not be exactly the same as with fresh basil, and it can follow “será” to describe an expected result.
Deberíamos “Deberíamos” means “we should” in “Deberíamos añadir”. It introduces a suggestion about when to add the herbs, and “deberíamos” can be followed by an infinitive when discussing a sensible action with another person.
añadir “Añadir” means “add” in “Deberíamos añadir las hierbas secas”. It describes putting the herbs into the sauce, and it follows “deberíamos” as the action being considered in the cooking plan.
las “Las” means “the” before “hierbas secas” in “las hierbas secas”. It identifies the specific dried herbs already mentioned, and this article pattern is used before a known feminine plural noun.
antes “Antes” means “earlier” in “añadir las hierbas secas antes”. It refers to an earlier point in the cooking process, and it can be used to compare when one action should happen with another.
para “Para” helps introduce the purpose in “para que se ablanden”. It links the earlier addition of the herbs to the intended result, and “para” can introduce a purpose clause when explaining why an action is done.
que “Que” links the purpose clause in “para que se ablanden”. It connects the action of adding the herbs with the result they are meant to undergo, and the pattern “para que” is useful for explaining an intended outcome.
se “Se” marks the herbs as undergoing the softening described in “se ablanden”. It is part of the softening action rather than an independent object, and this kind of “se” can appear when something changes state through an action or process.
ablanden “Ablanden” means “soften” in “para que se ablanden”. It describes the dried herbs becoming softer in the sauce, and it appears after “para que” to express the intended result of adding them earlier.
en “En” means “in” in “en la salsa”. It places the softening process within the sauce, and it can introduce the liquid, container, or setting where a cooking action takes place.
salsa “Salsa” means “sauce” in “en la salsa”. It identifies the mixture in which the herbs soften, and it can be used after “en” when describing where an ingredient is added or cooked.
Añádelas “Añádelas” means “add them” as a direct instruction to add the herbs. The ending “las” refers to “las hierbas secas”, and this form is useful when giving a cooking instruction about a previously mentioned feminine plural ingredient.
y “Y” means “and” in “Añádelas antes y usa menos”. It joins two instructions that should be followed together, and it can connect consecutive actions in a recipe or conversation.
usa “Usa” means “use” in “usa menos”. It gives a direct instruction about the amount of herbs, and it can be followed by a quantity word when telling someone how much of an ingredient to use.
menos “Menos” means “less” in “usa menos”. It tells the cook to use a smaller amount because the dried herbs may be stronger, and it can follow a verb such as “usa” to reduce a quantity.
porque “Porque” means “because” and introduces the reason for using less. It connects the instruction “usa menos” with the explanation about the stronger flavor, and it is useful for giving a reason in practical instructions.
pueden “Pueden” means “can” in “las hierbas secas pueden tener”. It presents the stronger flavor as a possible characteristic of dried herbs, and it can be followed by an infinitive to describe what something may do or have.
tener “Tener” means “have” in “pueden tener un sabor más fuerte”. Here, it says that the dried herbs may have a stronger flavor, and “tener” can be followed by a noun phrase describing a quality or result.
más “Más” means “more” in “más fuerte”. It increases the degree of strength in the flavor, and it is placed before an adjective when making a comparison of degree.
fuerte “Fuerte” means “strong” in “un sabor más fuerte”. It describes the intensity of the flavor, and it can follow “más” when saying that one taste has greater strength than another.
también “También” means “also” in “La receta también dice”. It adds another instruction from the recipe after the discussion of the herbs, and it can be used to introduce an additional fact or recommendation.
dice “Dice” means “says” in “La receta también dice que usemos nata”. It reports what the recipe instructs, and the pattern “dice que” can introduce the content of a written or spoken instruction.
usemos “Usemos” expresses “we use” in the action that the recipe says to carry out in “dice que usemos nata”. It presents the use of cream as the recommended action, and it appears after “dice que” to give the content of the instruction.
nata “Nata” means “cream” in “usemos nata”. It names the creamy ingredient suggested for a smooth texture, and it can follow a verb such as “usemos” when specifying an ingredient.
conseguir “Conseguir” means “achieve” or “obtain” in “para conseguir una textura suave”. It describes obtaining the desired texture, and it follows “para” to state the purpose of using the cream.
una “Una” means “a” before “textura” in “una textura suave”. It introduces one desired texture as the result, and this article pattern is used before a feminine singular noun.
textura “Textura” means “texture” in “una textura suave”. It refers to how smooth the sauce feels, and it can be described with an adjective when discussing the result of a cooking method.
suave “Suave” means “smooth” in “una textura suave”. It describes the desired consistency of the sauce, and it can follow a noun such as “textura” when specifying the quality of a dish.
Si “Si” means “if” in “Si usamos yogur en su lugar”. It introduces the condition of replacing the cream with yogurt, and it can begin a clause that describes what will happen under a particular cooking choice.
usamos “Usamos” means “we use” in “Si usamos yogur”. It describes the possible choice of using yogurt, and it follows “Si” to form a condition about what the speakers decide to do.
yogur “Yogur” means “yogurt” in “usamos yogur en su lugar”. It names the ingredient proposed as a replacement for cream, and it can follow “usar” or a related verb when identifying an ingredient chosen for a recipe.
su “Su” contributes to the meaning “its” in “en su lugar”, referring to the place of the cream being replaced. Together with “lugar”, it forms the expression “en su lugar”, which is used when one option is used as a replacement for another.
lugar “Lugar” means “place” in “en su lugar”. In this expression, it refers to the position or role that the cream would have occupied, and “en su lugar” is useful when describing a substitute.
bajar “Bajar” means “lower” in “bajar el fuego”. It describes reducing the heat because yogurt is being used, and it can be followed by “el fuego” when giving a cooking instruction.
fuego “Fuego” means “heat” in “bajar el fuego”. It refers to the cooking heat rather than a separate ingredient, and the expression “bajar el fuego” is used when instructing someone to reduce the heat.
De lo contrario “De lo contrario” means “otherwise” and warns about the consequence of not lowering the heat. “De” introduces the relation, “lo” makes the idea abstract, and “contrario” identifies the opposite situation; the full expression is useful for introducing a negative alternative.
podría “Podría” means “might” or “could” in “la salsa podría separarse”. It presents separation as a possible result rather than a certainty, and “podría” can be followed by an infinitive when describing a possible consequence.
separarse “Separarse” means “separate” in “la salsa podría separarse”. It describes the sauce coming apart into different components, and the form can follow “podría” when warning about a possible change in a mixture.
verse “Verse” means “look” or “appear” in “verse extraña”. It describes how the sauce may appear to someone, and “verse” can be followed by an adjective when describing an observed appearance.
extraña “Extraña” means “strange” in “verse extraña”. It describes the sauce’s unusual appearance if it separates and matches “la salsa”; this adjective pattern is useful when evaluating how a dish looks.
Incorporarlo “Incorporarlo” means “stir it in” or “incorporate it” in “Incorporarlo poco a poco”. The ending “lo” refers to the ingredient being added, and an infinitive with an attached object pronoun is useful when giving a cooking instruction about incorporating a known ingredient.
poco a poco “Poco a poco” means “gradually” or “little by little” in “Incorporarlo poco a poco”. The two instances of “poco” express small amounts or gradual steps, and “a” links them; the full expression is useful when an ingredient should be added slowly.
hacia “Hacia” means “toward” or “near” in “hacia el final”. It places the action close to the end of the cooking process, and it can be used with a time or point to indicate an approaching stage.
final “Final” means “end” in “hacia el final”. It identifies the last part of the cooking process, and it can follow “hacia” when saying that an action should happen near the end.
debería “Debería” means “should” in “debería ayudar”. It presents the slow incorporation as an action expected to help, and “debería” can be followed by an infinitive when making a cautious recommendation or prediction.
ayudar “Ayudar” means “help” in “debería ayudar”. It describes the expected benefit of incorporating the ingredient slowly, and it follows “debería” as the action that is expected to produce a useful result.
resultado “Resultado” means “result” in “Si el resultado sale bien”. It refers to the final outcome of the adapted recipe, and it can be used as the subject when evaluating how something turns out.
sale “Sale” means “turns out” in “el resultado sale bien”. It describes the way the result develops or appears, and the pattern “sale bien” is useful when judging whether a plan, dish, or attempt has been successful.
bien “Bien” means “well” in “sale bien”. It evaluates the result positively, and it can follow a verb describing an outcome when saying that something has turned out successfully.
anotaré “Anotaré” means “I will write down” in “anotaré la sustitución”. It expresses a future plan to record the replacement used in the recipe, and it can be followed by the information that will be recorded.
sustitución “Sustitución” means “substitution” in “anotaré la sustitución”. It refers to the replacement of one recipe ingredient with another, and it is useful when recording an adaptation for future cooking.
Entonces “Entonces” means “then” in “Entonces, la próxima vez”. It introduces the consequence of recording the substitution, and it can connect a conclusion or next step to what was just said.
próxima “Próxima” means “next” in “la próxima vez”. It identifies the following occasion for making the recipe and matches “vez”; this pattern is useful when referring to the next time an activity happens.
vez “Vez” means “time” or “occasion” in “la próxima vez”. It refers to one future occasion of preparing the dish, and it is commonly used with an adjective such as “próxima” to identify when something will happen.
no “No” means “not” in “no tendremos que adivinar”. It negates the need to guess next time, and it is placed before the verb or verb phrase that is being denied.
tendremos “Tendremos” means “we will have” in “no tendremos que adivinar”. Together with “que adivinar”, it means “we will not need to guess”; the pattern “tener que” expresses necessity, including a future necessity with “tendremos”.
adivinar “Adivinar” means “guess” in “tendremos que adivinar”. It describes trying to determine the correct substitution without written guidance, and it follows “tener que” as the action that would otherwise be necessary.

Grammar Points

debería + infinitivo

Debería bajar el fuego.

deh-beh-REE-ah bah-HAHR ehl FWEH-goh.

I should lower the heat.

The conditional form debería expresses advice or what someone ought to do.

infinitivo + pronombre de objeto

Podemos hacerla poco a poco.

poh-DEH-mohs ah-SEHR-lah POH-koh ah POH-koh.

We can make it little by little.

In Spanish, an object pronoun can attach directly to an infinitive: hacer + la = hacerla.

Spanish Vocabulary

albahaca noun
ahl-bah-AH-kah basil
añadir verb
ah-nyah-DEER to add
diferente adj
dee-feh-REHN-teh different
fresco adj
FREHS-koh fresh fresca
hacer verb
ah-SEHR to make hacerla
hierba noun
YEHR-bah herb hierbas
necesitar verb
neh-seh-see-TAHR to need necesita
poder verb
poh-DEHR can; to be able to podemos
receta noun
reh-SEH-tah recipe
sabor noun
sah-BOR flavor
seco adj
SEH-koh dried secas
todavía adv
toh-dah-VEE-ah still

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

fresh

Show Answerfresca

still

Show Answertodavía

to make

Show Answerhacerla

to need

Show Answernecesita