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

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

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

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

Dialogue

A

La recette demande du basilic frais, mais nous n'avons que des herbes séchées.

lah ruh-SET duh bah-zee-LEEK freh, meh noo nah-VON kuh day ZERB say-SHAY The recipe needs fresh basil, but we only have dried herbs.
B

Nous pouvons quand même la préparer, mais le goût sera simplement un peu différent.

noo poo-VON KAHN MEM lah pray-pah-RAY, meh luh GOO say sahm-pluh-MAHN uh puh dee-fay-RAHN We can still make it; the flavor will just be a little different.
A

Devrait-on ajouter les herbes séchées plus tôt pour qu'elles ramollissent dans la sauce ?

duh-VRAY-ohn ah-zhoo-TAY lay ZERB say-SHAY ploo TOH poor KELL rah-moh-LEESS dahn lah SOHSS Should we add the dried herbs earlier so they soften in the sauce?
B

Ajoute-les plus tôt et mets-en moins, car les herbes séchées peuvent avoir un goût plus fort.

ah-ZHOOT lay ploo TOH ay MET-zahn MWAN, kar lay ZERB say-SHAY puhV ah-VWAR uhn GOO ploo FOR Add them earlier and use less, because dried herbs can taste stronger.
A

La recette dit aussi d'utiliser de la crème pour obtenir une texture lisse.

lah ruh-SET dee oh-SEE dew-tee-lee-ZAY duh lah KREM poor ohb-tuh-NEER ewn teks-TOOR LEESS The recipe also says to use cream for a smooth texture.
B

Si nous utilisons du yaourt à la place, nous devrions baisser le feu.

see noo zoo-tee-lee-ZON dew yah-OOR ah lah PLASS, noo duh-VREE-ohn bay-SAY luh FUH If we use yogurt instead, we should lower the heat.
A

Sinon, la sauce risque de se séparer et d'avoir un aspect étrange.

see-NOHN, lah SOHSS REESK duh suh say-pah-RAY ay dah-VWAR uhn ah-SPEK ay-TRAHNZH Otherwise the sauce might separate and look strange.
B

Le mélanger lentement vers la fin devrait aider.

luh may-lahn-ZHAY lahn-tuh-MAHN vair lah FAN duh-VRAY ay-DAY Stirring it in slowly near the end should help.
A

Si le résultat est bon, je noterai ce remplacement.

see luh ray-ZEWL-TAH eh bohn, zhuh noh-tuh-RAY suh ruhn-plahs-MAHN If the result turns out well, I will write down the substitution.
B

Alors, la prochaine fois, nous n'aurons pas besoin de deviner.

ah-LOR, lah proh-SHEN fwah, noo nah-ROHN pah buh-ZWAN duh duh-vee-NAY Then next time we will not need to guess.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” in “La recette”, referring to the recipe. It is placed before a feminine singular noun. You can use this article when referring to a specific feminine singular thing in everyday conversation.
recette “recette” means “recipe” here. In “La recette demande”, it is the thing that specifies which ingredients are needed. It commonly appears with cooking verbs and ingredient names when discussing how to prepare food.
demande “demande” means “requires” or “calls for” in “La recette demande du basilic frais”. It expresses what the recipe needs as an ingredient. This form can be reused when describing what a recipe or instructions require.
du “du” introduces an unspecified amount of basil in “du basilic frais”, meaning “some basil”. It is used before a masculine singular mass noun in this context. It commonly appears with food and drink names when referring to an amount that is not specified.
basilic “basilic” means “basil” in “du basilic frais”. It names the fresh herb required by the recipe. You can use it when identifying basil as an ingredient in a dish.
frais “frais” means “fresh” in “basilic frais”. It describes the condition of the basil required by the recipe. It is placed after the noun here, and it can describe the freshness of an ingredient when discussing food.
mais “mais” means “but” and introduces a contrast between what the recipe requires and what is available. In “mais nous n'avons que des herbes séchées”, it connects the two alternatives. Use it to contrast a requirement with a limitation or different fact.
nous “nous” means “we” in “nous n'avons que des herbes séchées”. It identifies the speakers as the people who have the herbs. It commonly appears before a verb when the speakers describe their own actions or situation.
n'avons “n'avons” expresses “do not have” in “nous n'avons que des herbes séchées”. The form combines the subject “nous” with the verb meaning “have”, while the negative element is completed by “que” in the expression “n'avons que”. This construction is useful for saying that someone has only a limited set of things.
que “que” means “only” in “nous n'avons que des herbes séchées”. Together with the negative form in “n'avons que”, it limits what the speakers have to the dried herbs. This pattern is commonly used to say that someone has only one option or group of things.
des “des” introduces the plural noun “herbes” in “des herbes séchées”, referring to some dried herbs. It is used before a plural noun when the exact quantity is not specified. It commonly appears with plural ingredients when describing what is available.
herbes “herbes” means “herbs” in “des herbes séchées”. It names the ingredients that are available instead of fresh basil. You can use it when referring to herbs as a group in cooking instructions or conversations.
séchées “séchées” means “dried” in “herbes séchées”. It describes the state of the herbs available to the speakers. It follows the noun here and can be used to distinguish dried ingredients from fresh ones.
pouvons “pouvons” means “can” or “are able to” in “Nous pouvons quand même la préparer”. It says that the speakers are still able to prepare the recipe despite the missing ingredient. This form is used before an infinitive to describe what the speakers can do.
quand même “quand même” means “still” or “nevertheless” in “Nous pouvons quand même la préparer”. The components “quand” and “même” form one expression whose meaning is not simply “when” plus “same”. It is useful when continuing with an action despite a problem or contrary fact.
préparer “préparer” means “prepare” or “make” in “la préparer”. The infinitive names the action that the speakers can still carry out. It can be used after a verb expressing ability or intention when describing what will be prepared.
le “le” means “the” in “le goût”. It introduces the masculine singular noun referring to the flavor. It is placed before a specific masculine singular noun and is common when discussing a particular quality of food.
goût “goût” means “flavor” or “taste” in “le goût sera simplement un peu différent”. It refers to the sensory result of using different herbs. It can be used when describing how food tastes or how its flavor changes.
sera “sera” means “will be” in “le goût sera simplement un peu différent”. It presents the expected future state of the flavor. It is used before an adjective or description when predicting what something will be like.
simplement “simplement” means “simply” or “just” in “sera simplement un peu différent”. It softens the statement by indicating that the difference is the only expected change. It can be placed before a description to limit or qualify what is being said.
un “un” means “a” in “un peu différent”. Together with “peu”, it forms the quantity expression meaning “a little”. It commonly appears before a masculine singular noun, and in this expression it helps describe a small degree.
peu “peu” means “a little” in “un peu différent”. The expression “un peu différent” describes a small degree of difference in the flavor. It is useful before an adjective when describing a limited amount or degree.
différent “différent” means “different” in “un peu différent”. It describes how the flavor will change when dried herbs are used. It can be placed after a linking verb to compare a result with an earlier or expected state.
Devrait “Devrait” means “should” in the question “Devrait-on ajouter les herbes séchées plus tôt”. It presents a suggestion or asks whether an action would be advisable. This form can introduce a proposed action when discussing how to solve a practical problem.
on “on” means “we” in “Devrait-on ajouter les herbes séchées plus tôt”. It refers to the two speakers and is used as the subject of the proposed action. It commonly appears in questions and suggestions when people are deciding what to do together.
ajouter “ajouter” means “add” in “Devrait-on ajouter les herbes séchées plus tôt”. It names the proposed cooking action. It follows the form expressing “should” here and can be used when introducing an ingredient into a dish.
les “les” means “the” in “les herbes séchées” and refers to the specific herbs under discussion. It is placed before the plural noun “herbes”. It can also appear as a plural object pronoun, but here its function is the plural article before the noun.
plus “plus” contributes to the meaning “earlier” in the expression “plus tôt”. Together with “tôt”, it compares the timing with a later point. This expression is useful when changing when an action should happen.
tôt “tôt” means “early” in “plus tôt”, which means “earlier” in this question. It describes the timing of adding the herbs. It can be used with a time expression when discussing when an action should take place.
pour “pour” introduces the purpose in “pour qu'elles ramollissent dans la sauce”, meaning “so that they soften in the sauce”. Here it connects adding the herbs earlier with the intended result. It commonly introduces a purpose or intended outcome.
qu'elles “qu'elles” introduces the result clause in “pour qu'elles ramollissent dans la sauce”, meaning “so that they”. It refers back to the herbs and introduces what is intended to happen to them. This form is used after a purpose expression when the following clause has a feminine plural subject.
ramollissent “ramollissent” means “soften” in “qu'elles ramollissent dans la sauce”. It describes the intended change in the herbs while they are in the sauce. It appears after the purpose expression “pour qu'elles” and can describe an ingredient becoming softer.
dans “dans” means “in” in “dans la sauce”. It locates the softening action inside the sauce. It commonly introduces the container, substance, or place where an action happens.
sauce “sauce” means “sauce” in “dans la sauce”. It identifies the liquid mixture in which the herbs will soften. You can use it when discussing ingredients, texture, or cooking actions involving a sauce.
Ajoute “Ajoute” means “add” as a direct instruction in “Ajoute-les plus tôt”. It tells the other person to put the herbs into the dish earlier. This form is used when giving a practical instruction to one person.
et “et” means “and” in “Ajoute-les plus tôt et mets-en moins”. It links two instructions that should both be followed. It commonly connects coordinated actions or pieces of advice.
mets “mets” means “put” or “use” in “mets-en moins”. Here it instructs the listener to use a smaller amount of the herbs. It is used as a direct instruction before the quantity expression and object pronoun.
en “en” refers to some of the herbs in “mets-en moins”, meaning “use less of them”. It replaces the repeated ingredient after the verb and works with the quantity word “moins”. This pattern is useful when referring to a smaller or larger amount of something already mentioned.
moins “moins” means “less” in “mets-en moins”. It specifies that the amount of herbs should be reduced. It commonly follows a quantity pronoun construction when giving instructions about using a smaller amount.
car “car” means “because” in “car les herbes séchées peuvent avoir un goût plus fort”. It introduces the reason for using less dried herbs. It is useful for linking advice or an instruction to its explanation.
peuvent “peuvent” means “can” or “may” in “les herbes séchées peuvent avoir un goût plus fort”. It presents a possible characteristic of dried herbs rather than a certainty. It is used before an infinitive to describe what something may do or have.
avoir “avoir” means “have” in “peuvent avoir un goût plus fort”. It names the possible property of the dried herbs: having a stronger taste. It follows “peuvent” as an infinitive and can introduce something that an ingredient possesses or produces.
fort “fort” means “strong” in “un goût plus fort”. It describes the intensity of the taste. It follows “goût” here and can describe a flavor that is more intense.
dit “dit” means “says” in “La recette dit aussi d'utiliser de la crème”. It describes the instruction given by the recipe. It can be followed by the content of what a person, recipe, or set of instructions says.
aussi “aussi” means “also” in “La recette dit aussi d'utiliser de la crème”. It adds another instruction to the earlier information about basil and herbs. It is useful when adding a further fact, requirement, or recommendation.
d'utiliser “d'utiliser” means “to use” in “dit aussi d'utiliser de la crème”. It introduces the action that the recipe instructs the cook to perform. The form contains the preposition used before the infinitive, and this construction can report an instruction to carry out an action.
de “de” is part of “de la crème”, referring to some cream as an ingredient. Together with “la”, it introduces an unspecified amount of the cream used in the recipe. This form commonly appears before a food or liquid when the quantity is not specified.
crème “crème” means “cream” in “de la crème”. It names the ingredient used to obtain a smooth texture. You can use it when identifying cream as an ingredient in a recipe.
obtenir “obtenir” means “obtain” or “get” in “pour obtenir une texture lisse”. It expresses the result intended by using cream. It follows “pour” to introduce the purpose of an action.
une “une” means “a” in “une texture lisse”. It introduces the feminine singular noun “texture”. It is used before a singular feminine noun when referring to one unspecified result or quality.
texture “texture” means “texture” in “une texture lisse”. It refers to the smooth physical quality the recipe aims to produce. It can be used when describing how food feels or appears in the mouth or on the surface.
lisse “lisse” means “smooth” in “une texture lisse”. It describes the desired texture of the finished sauce or dish. It follows the noun here and can describe a smooth food texture or surface.
Si “Si” means “if” in “Si nous utilisons du yaourt à la place”. It introduces a condition under which the speakers should lower the heat. It is commonly used to discuss what should happen when a particular situation occurs.
utilisons “utilisons” means “use” in “Si nous utilisons du yaourt à la place”. It describes the speakers choosing yogurt as the substitute ingredient. It appears after “si” to state the condition for the following advice.
yaourt “yaourt” means “yogurt” in “du yaourt à la place”. It names the ingredient used instead of cream. You can use it when identifying yogurt as an ingredient or substitute in a recipe.
à la place “à la place” means “instead” in “du yaourt à la place”. The components “à”, “la”, and “place” combine to express replacement by another option. This expression is useful when saying that one ingredient, object, or action is used instead of another.
devrions “devrions” means “should” or “ought to” in “nous devrions baisser le feu”. It gives advice about the action the speakers consider appropriate. It is followed by an infinitive when recommending what should be done.
baisser “baisser” means “lower” in “baisser le feu”. It names the action of reducing the heat. It is used before the object “le feu” and can describe reducing a level, setting, or intensity.
feu “feu” means “heat” in “baisser le feu”. In this cooking context, it refers to the heat level used under the sauce. It commonly appears with an action that raises or lowers the cooking heat.
Sinon “Sinon” means “otherwise” in “Sinon, la sauce risque de se séparer”. It warns about the possible result if the previous advice is not followed. It is useful for introducing a consequence or alternative outcome.
risque “risque” means “risks” or “may” in “la sauce risque de se séparer”. It signals a possible undesirable result rather than a definite one. It commonly appears before “de” and an infinitive when warning that something may happen.
se “se” is the pronominal element in “se séparer”, where the sauce is described as separating. It is part of the verb construction and does not express a separate object here. It commonly appears before a verb when the action is expressed in a pronominal form.
séparer “séparer” means “separate” in “la sauce risque de se séparer”. It describes the sauce breaking into distinct parts if it becomes too hot. It follows “risque de” as an infinitive describing a possible result.
d'avoir “d'avoir” means “to have” in “d'avoir un aspect étrange”. It introduces the possible appearance of the sauce after it separates. The form combines the preposition before the infinitive with “avoir”, and this construction can describe a possible resulting quality.
aspect “aspect” means “appearance” in “un aspect étrange”. It refers to how the sauce may look. It commonly appears with a describing adjective when discussing the visible result of a change.
étrange “étrange” means “strange” in “un aspect étrange”. It describes the unusual appearance the sauce might have. It follows the noun here and can describe an unexpected visual result.
mélanger “mélanger” means “mix” or “stir” in “Le mélanger lentement vers la fin”. It names the action of stirring the ingredient into the sauce. It is used as an infinitive after the object pronoun “Le” and can describe combining an ingredient with a mixture.
lentement “lentement” means “slowly” in “Le mélanger lentement”. It describes the careful speed of the mixing action. It commonly modifies a cooking action when the movement should be controlled or gradual.
vers “vers” means “toward” or “near” in “vers la fin”. It places the action close to the end of the cooking process. It commonly introduces an approximate time or direction rather than an exact point.
fin “fin” means “end” in “vers la fin”. It refers to the final part of the cooking process. It can be used after a time expression to indicate when an action should happen.
aider “aider” means “help” in “devrait aider”. It describes the expected benefit of stirring slowly near the end. It follows the form expressing “should” as an infinitive and can identify an action that contributes to a better result.
résultat “résultat” means “result” in “Si le résultat est bon”. It refers to the outcome of adapting and cooking the recipe. It commonly appears when evaluating whether a process or attempt worked well.
est “est” means “is” in “le résultat est bon”. It links the result to the evaluation that it is good. It is used before an adjective or description when stating a condition or quality.
bon “bon” means “good” in “le résultat est bon”. It evaluates the outcome of the adapted recipe positively. It can describe whether a result, dish, or attempt has turned out well.
je “je” means “I” in “je noterai ce remplacement”. It identifies the speaker as the person who will record the substitution. It commonly appears before a verb when stating the speaker’s own future action.
noterai “noterai” means “I will write down” or “I will note” in “je noterai ce remplacement”. It expresses the speaker’s planned future action if the result is good. It is followed by the thing being recorded and can be used when promising to record useful information.
ce “ce” means “this” in “ce remplacement”. It points to the particular substitution just discussed. It is placed before the masculine singular noun “remplacement” and is useful when referring to a specific item or decision.
remplacement “remplacement” means “substitution” or “replacement” in “ce remplacement”. It refers to using yogurt instead of cream, along with the related recipe adjustment. It can be used when recording or discussing one ingredient or option used in place of another.
Alors “Alors” means “then” in “Alors, la prochaine fois”. It connects the recorded substitution with the practical benefit that follows. It is useful for introducing a consequence, conclusion, or next step in a conversation.
prochaine “prochaine” means “next” in “la prochaine fois”. It describes the following occasion. It appears before “fois” here and agrees with that feminine singular noun.
fois “fois” means “time” in “la prochaine fois”. Together with “la prochaine”, it refers to the next occasion when the recipe is prepared. This expression is commonly used when talking about a future repeated event.
n'aurons “n'aurons” means “will not have” in “nous n'aurons pas besoin de deviner”. It expresses that the speakers will lack a need in the future, with the negative construction completed by “pas”. It is useful when describing something that will no longer be necessary.
pas “pas” completes the negation in “n'aurons pas besoin de deviner”. Together with the negative form before it, it means “not”. It commonly appears after the conjugated verb in a negative sentence.
besoin “besoin” means “need” in “n'aurons pas besoin de deviner”. The whole construction “besoin de deviner” expresses that guessing will not be necessary. It commonly appears after a form of “avoir” and before “de” plus an infinitive or noun.
deviner “deviner” means “guess” in “besoin de deviner”. It names the action that will no longer be necessary because the substitution has been recorded. It follows “besoin de” as an infinitive describing an action someone may need to perform.

Grammar Points

à la place de + nom

Utiliser du yaourt à la place de la crème.

ew-tee-lee-ZAY dew yah-OOR ah lah PLASS duh lah KREM

Use yogurt instead of cream.

The fixed expression à la place de means “instead of” and is followed by a noun.

sinon + proposition

Sinon, la sauce se sépare.

see-NOHN, lah SOHSS suh say-PAHR

Otherwise, the sauce separates.

Sinon introduces a consequence or alternative: “otherwise” or “if not.”

French Vocabulary

ajouter verb
ah-zhoo-TAY to add
basilic noun
bah-zee-LEEK basil
différent adj
dee-fay-RAHN different
frais adj
freh fresh
goût noun
GOO flavor; taste
herbes séchées phrase
erb say-SHAY dried herbs
plus tôt adv
ploo TOH earlier
préparer verb
pray-pah-RAY to prepare; to make
quand même adv
KAHN MEM still; nevertheless
ramollissent verb
rah-moh-LEESS soften
recette noun
ruh-SET recipe
sauce noun
SOHSS sauce

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

recipe

Show Answerrecette

different

Show Answerdifférent

to add

Show Answerajouter

basil

Show Answerbasilic