Checking ingredients and substitutions | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: Before cooking at home, two adults check ingredients, avoid walnuts for an allergy, and choose seeds as a substitute..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Checking ingredients and substitutions to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Antes de empezar a cocinar, revisemos los ingredientes y las posibles sustituciones.

AHN-tes deh em-peh-SAR ah koh-see-NAR, reh-bee-SEH-mos lohs een-greh-dee-EN-tes ee lahs poh-SEE-bles soos-tee-too-see-OH-nes. Before we start cooking, let's check the ingredients and any substitutions.
B

La receta lleva nueces y uno de los invitados tiene alergia a los frutos secos.

lah reh-SEH-tah YEH-vah NWEH-ses ee OO-noh deh lohs een-bee-TAH-dos TYEH-neh ah-LEHR-hyah ah lohs FROO-tohs SEH-kos. The recipe calls for walnuts, and one guest has a nut allergy.
A

Entonces deberíamos dejar las nueces fuera por completo.

en-TOHN-ses deh-beh-REE-ah-mos deh-HAR lahs NWEH-ses FWEH-rah por kohm-PLEH-toh. Then we should leave the walnuts out completely.
B

Las semillas tostadas todavía le darían un toque crujiente al plato.

lahs seh-MEE-yahs tohs-TAH-dahs toh-dah-BEE-ah leh dah-REE-an oon TOH-keh kroo-HYEN-teh al PLAH-toh. Toasted seeds would still give the dish some crunch.
A

Usemos semillas en su lugar y mantengamos visible la nota sobre la alergia mientras cocinamos.

oo-SEH-mos seh-MEE-yahs en soo loo-GAR ee mahn-tehn-GAH-mos bee-SEE-bleh lah NOH-tah soh-BREH lah ah-LEHR-hyah MYEN-trahs koh-see-NAH-mos. Let's use seeds instead, and keep the allergy note visible while we cook.
B

Como es un plato al horno, aun así deberíamos seguir las medidas con cuidado.

KOH-moh es oon PLAH-toh al OR-noh, owN ah-SEE deh-beh-REE-ah-mos seh-GEER lahs meh-DEE-dahs kohn kwee-DAH-doh. Since this is a baked dish, we should still follow the measurements closely.
A

¿Tenemos suficiente leche o debería comprar más?

teh-NEH-mos soo-fee-SYEN-teh LEH-cheh oh deh-beh-REE-ah kohm-PRAR mahs? Do we have enough milk, or should I buy more?
B

Tenemos suficiente, pero revisa la fecha antes de usarla.

teh-NEH-mos soo-fee-SYEN-teh, PEH-roh reh-BEE-sah lah FEH-chah AHN-tes deh oo-SAR-lah. We have enough, but check the date before using it.
A

Los ingredientes parecen seguros y listos ahora.

lohs een-greh-dee-EN-tes pah-REH-sen seh-GOO-rohs ee LEES-tohs ah-OH-rah. The ingredients look safe and ready now.
B

Esta revisión debería ayudarnos a evitar riesgos de alergia y a mantener el buen sabor del plato.

EH-stah reh-bee-SYON deh-beh-REE-ah ah-yoo-DAR-nos ah eh-bee-TAR RYEHS-gohs deh ah-LEHR-hyah ee ah mahn-teh-NEHR el bwen sah-BOR del PLAH-toh. This check should help us avoid allergy risks and keep the dish tasting right.

Word by Word

Antes “Antes” means “before” here and introduces the point in time before cooking begins. A common pattern is “antes de” followed by an infinitive, as in “Antes de empezar” in this dialogue.
de In “Antes de empezar”, “de” connects “before” with the action that follows. Use “antes de” plus an infinitive when describing an action that happens earlier, such as “antes de salir” in a new example.
empezar “Empezar” means “to start” in “Antes de empezar a cocinar”. It is used here as an infinitive after “antes de”; a common pattern is “empezar a” followed by an action.
a In “empezar a cocinar”, “a” links the action of starting with the activity that begins. The reusable pattern is “empezar a” plus an infinitive, such as “empezar a leer” in a new example.
cocinar “Cocinar” means “to cook” in this dialogue. It appears as the infinitive after “empezar a”, and you can use the same pattern with another activity, such as “empezar a estudiar” in a new example.
revisemos “Revisemos” proposes that the speakers check something together: “let’s check”. It is used with the object “los ingredientes y las posibles sustituciones”; use this form when suggesting a shared action in a new example such as “Revisemos la lista”.
los “Los” means “the” before the plural noun “ingredientes”. It marks that the ingredients being discussed are specific, and the pattern is “los” plus a masculine plural noun.
ingredientes “Ingredientes” means the ingredients being checked for the recipe. It commonly appears with a recipe or dish, as in “los ingredientes” in this dialogue.
y “Y” connects “los ingredientes” with “las posibles sustituciones”, meaning “and”. Use it to join two related words or phrases, such as “pan y leche” in a new example.
las “Las” means “the” before the feminine plural noun “posibles sustituciones”. It marks specific substitutions, and the pattern is “las” plus a feminine plural noun.
posibles “Posibles” describes substitutions that may be available or suitable, meaning “possible”. It comes before “sustituciones” here; a common pattern is “posibles” plus a plural noun.
sustituciones “Sustituciones” means substitutions, such as replacing one ingredient with another. In this dialogue it refers to possible ingredient changes, as in “las posibles sustituciones”.
La “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “receta”. It identifies the specific recipe under discussion, and the pattern is “la” plus a feminine singular noun.
receta “Receta” means “recipe” in “La receta lleva nueces”. It is used as the subject when describing what ingredients a recipe contains; a common pattern is “la receta lleva” plus an ingredient.
lleva “Lleva” says that the recipe contains or calls for walnuts: “La receta lleva nueces”. With a recipe, “lleva” can be followed by the ingredient required or included.
nueces “Nueces” means walnuts in this cooking context. The word is the ingredient that the recipe contains and that the speakers decide to leave out.
uno “Uno” identifies one person among the guests: “uno de los invitados”. Use “uno de” plus a plural group to refer to one member of that group, such as “uno de los estudiantes” in a new example.
invitados “Invitados” means the guests mentioned in the cooking situation. In “uno de los invitados”, it names the group from which one person is selected.
tiene “Tiene” says that one guest has an allergy: “uno de los invitados tiene alergia”. With a health condition or possession, it is commonly followed by the thing someone has.
alergia “Alergia” means allergy in “tiene alergia a los frutos secos”. The reusable pattern is “tener alergia a” plus the substance that causes the allergy.
frutos secos “Frutos secos” is the expression used here for nuts as a food category, in “alergia a los frutos secos”. Keep the two words together when naming this category of food.
Entonces “Entonces” means “then” and introduces the consequence of the guest’s allergy: the walnuts should be omitted. It can also connect a situation with a resulting decision in a new example.
deberíamos “Deberíamos” presents a recommendation for the group: “we should”. Here it is followed by “dejar las nueces fuera”; a common pattern is “deberíamos” plus an infinitive when suggesting what to do.
dejar “Dejar” means “to leave” in the expression “dejar las nueces fuera”, where it means not include them. Use it with an object and “fuera” when saying that something should be left out.
fuera In “dejar las nueces fuera”, “fuera” contributes the idea of being out of the dish. The full expression means to leave an ingredient out; it is used here to respond to the allergy concern.
por In “por completo”, “por” is part of the expression emphasizing the extent of the omission. Together with “completo”, it means that the walnuts are left out entirely.
completo In “por completo”, “completo” helps express that the walnuts are omitted entirely, not only partly. The full expression “por completo” is a reusable way to emphasize complete removal or completion.
semillas “Semillas” means seeds, the proposed substitute for walnuts. In this dialogue they are used as an ingredient that can add texture to the dish.
tostadas “Tostadas” describes the seeds as toasted in “Las semillas tostadas”. It gives the ingredient a prepared form; the pattern is an adjective after a noun, agreeing with “semillas”.
todavía “Todavía” means “still” here, showing that the seeds would continue to provide texture even without walnuts. It can mark that an effect or situation remains possible in a new example.
le In “le darían un toque crujiente al plato”, “le” refers to the dish as the thing receiving the added quality. It commonly appears with “dar” when something gives an effect or characteristic to something else.
darían “Darían” expresses what the toasted seeds would give the dish: “would give”. The reusable pattern is “darían” plus an effect or quality, such as “darían más sabor” in a new example.
un “Un” introduces one unspecified “toque” in “un toque crujiente”. It is used before this masculine singular noun to present the quality as an added touch.
toque “Toque” means a touch or slight added quality in “un toque crujiente”. In cooking, the pattern “un toque” plus a quality describes a small contribution to a dish.
crujiente “Crujiente” describes the added texture as crunchy in “un toque crujiente”. It can be used after a noun to describe a food’s texture, as in “una cobertura crujiente” in a new example.
al “Al” is the combined form used in “al plato”, meaning “to the dish”. It connects the effect of “darían” with the dish receiving it.
plato “Plato” means the dish being prepared and eaten. In “al plato”, it is the recipient of the crunchy touch provided by the seeds.
Usemos “Usemos” proposes that the speakers use seeds instead: “let’s use”. It is followed by the object “semillas”; use this form for a shared suggestion, such as “Usemos otra sartén” in a new example.
en In “en su lugar”, “en” means “in” and helps express replacement within the phrase “in its place”. The full pattern “en su lugar” is used when choosing one option instead of another.
su In “en su lugar”, “su” refers to the place or position of the walnuts that the seeds will take. Together with “lugar”, it forms the expression meaning “instead” or “in its place”.
lugar In “en su lugar”, “lugar” means “place”, referring to the position of the ingredient being replaced. The complete expression is a reusable way to say that one option is used instead of another.
mantengamos “Mantengamos” proposes that the speakers keep the allergy note visible: “let’s keep”. It is followed by “visible” and the object “la nota”; use it for a shared suggestion to keep something in a particular state.
visible “Visible” means able to be seen in “mantengamos visible la nota”. It describes the state in which the note should remain, and it can follow “mantener” when specifying a condition.
nota “Nota” means the note containing the allergy information. In “la nota sobre la alergia”, it is the object that the speakers want to keep visible.
sobre “Sobre” means “about” in “la nota sobre la alergia”. It introduces the topic of the note, and a common pattern is “una nota sobre” plus a subject.
mientras “Mientras” means “while” and introduces the activity happening at the same time as keeping the note visible. It commonly connects one action with another ongoing action.
cocinamos “Cocinamos” means “we cook” in “mientras cocinamos”. It describes the activity taking place while the speakers prepare the dish; use “mientras” with it to link simultaneous actions.
Como “Como” means “since” here and gives the reason for following the measurements carefully: the dish is baked. At the beginning of a clause, it can introduce a known reason for a recommendation.
es “Es” states that the dish is a baked or oven-cooked dish in “Como es un plato al horno”. It links the subject understood from the context with its description.
horno “Horno” means “oven” in the expression “plato al horno”. Together, “al horno” describes food cooked in an oven.
aun In “aun así”, “aun” contributes the meaning “even” or “still” to the phrase, showing that the measurements must be followed despite the substitution. The complete expression “aun así” is used to mean “even so” or “nevertheless”.
así In “aun así”, “así” contributes the idea of “this way” or “so”. Together, “aun así” signals that the following recommendation remains valid despite the previous circumstance.
seguir “Seguir” means “to follow” in “seguir las medidas”. It is used with the thing being followed, such as instructions, directions, or measurements.
medidas “Medidas” means the measurements required by the recipe. In “seguir las medidas”, it refers to the amounts that should be followed closely while baking.
con In “con cuidado”, “con” means “with” and introduces the manner of carrying out the action. The common expression “con cuidado” means carefully.
cuidado “Cuidado” means care or caution in “seguir las medidas con cuidado”. Together with “con”, it describes performing the action attentively and carefully.
Tenemos “Tenemos” means “we have” in the question about whether there is enough milk. It is commonly followed by the item possessed, as in “Tenemos leche” in a new example.
suficiente “Suficiente” means “enough” in “Tenemos suficiente leche”. It expresses that the available quantity meets the need and commonly comes before the noun it describes.
leche “Leche” means milk, the ingredient whose quantity the speakers check. It appears after “suficiente” to form “suficiente leche”, meaning enough milk.
o “O” means “or” and connects the two alternatives: having enough milk or buying more. Use it to present a choice between possibilities.
debería “Debería” asks whether the speaker ought to buy more milk: “should I buy more?”. It is followed by the infinitive “comprar”; a common pattern is “debería” plus an infinitive when asking about the advisable action.
comprar “Comprar” means “to buy” in “debería comprar más”. It appears as the infinitive after “debería”, and the object or quantity can follow it.
más “Más” means “more” in “comprar más”, referring to more milk understood from the previous phrase. It is commonly used after a verb when the object has already been mentioned.
pero “Pero” means “but” and contrasts having enough milk with the need to check its date. It connects two statements when the second adds a limitation or additional instruction.
revisa “Revisa” gives the instruction to check the date before using the milk. It is used with the object “la fecha”; a common pattern is “revisa” plus the item that should be checked.
fecha “Fecha” means the date that should be checked before using the milk. In “revisa la fecha”, it is the object of the checking action.
usarla “Usarla” means “to use it”, referring here to the milk. It combines the infinitive “usar” with “la”, and it follows “antes de” in “antes de usarla”.
parecen “Parecen” means “seem” or “look” in “Los ingredientes parecen seguros y listos”. It introduces an impression about the ingredients and is followed by the qualities being attributed to them.
seguros “Seguros” describes the ingredients as safe in “parecen seguros”. It agrees with the plural ingredients and expresses that they appear not to present a safety problem.
listos “Listos” describes the ingredients as ready in “parecen seguros y listos”. It is another quality attributed to the ingredients after “parecen”.
ahora “Ahora” means “now” and places the ingredients’ safe and ready condition at the present moment. It can be used to specify when a situation applies.
Esta “Esta” means “this” before the feminine singular noun “revisión”. It points to the check just described, and the pattern is “esta” plus a feminine singular noun.
revisión “Revisión” means the check or review of the ingredients and allergy information. In “Esta revisión debería ayudarnos”, it is the action expected to reduce risks.
ayudarnos “Ayudarnos” means “to help us” in “debería ayudarnos a evitar”. It combines the infinitive “ayudar” with “nos”, and the pattern is “ayudar a” plus an action.
evitar “Evitar” means “to avoid” in “ayudarnos a evitar riesgos de alergia”. It follows “ayudar a” and takes the risks being prevented as its object.
riesgos “Riesgos” means risks, specifically the allergy risks the check is intended to prevent. The reusable pattern is “evitar riesgos de” plus the type of risk.
mantener “Mantener” means “to keep” or “to maintain” in “mantener el buen sabor del plato”. It is used with an object and the quality or condition that should continue.
el “El” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “sabor”. It identifies the particular flavor of the dish being maintained.
buen “Buen” describes the flavor as good in “el buen sabor”. It appears directly before the masculine singular noun “sabor”; the phrase refers to preserving the dish’s good taste.
sabor “Sabor” means the taste or flavor of the dish. In “mantener el buen sabor”, it is the quality that the cooking choices should preserve.
del “Del” is the combined form used in “del plato”, meaning “of the dish”. It links “sabor” with the dish whose flavor is being discussed.

Grammar Points

Usemos + sustantivo

Usemos semillas tostadas en su lugar.

oo-SEH-mos seh-MEE-yahs tohs-TAH-dahs en soo loo-GAR.

Let's use toasted seeds instead.

La forma «usemos» expresa una propuesta o una orden inclusiva para «nosotros».

darían + sustantivo

Las semillas darían un toque crujiente al plato.

lahs seh-MEE-yahs dah-REE-an oon TOH-keh kroo-HYEN-teh al PLAH-toh.

The seeds would give the dish a crunchy touch.

«Darían» es el condicional y presenta un resultado posible o hipotético.

Spanish Vocabulary

alergia noun
ah-LEHR-hyah allergy
antes adv
AHN-tes before
cocinar verb
koh-see-NAR to cook
empezar verb
em-peh-SAR to start
ingrediente noun
een-greh-dee-EN-teh ingredient ingredientes
invitado noun
een-bee-TAH-doh guest invitados
llevar verb
YEH-bar to contain; to call for lleva
nuez noun
NWEHS walnut nueces
posible adj
poh-SEE-bleh possible posibles
receta noun
reh-SEH-tah recipe
revisar verb
reh-bee-SAR to check revisemos
sustitución noun
soos-tee-too-see-ON substitution sustituciones

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to start

Show Answerempezar

possible

Show Answerposibles

recipe

Show Answerreceta

to check

Show Answerrevisemos