French · BeginnerPréparer le dîner ensembleCooking Dinner

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00:00Intro
Emma, smell this good aroma in the kitchen! I am starving tonight.
Ah, Leo, did you skip lunch again? You are always hungry!
That is true! But tonight, we have a special mission together.
Exactly! Welcome everyone to our slow French podcast.
Today, we are going to learn six useful phrases for evening cooking.
The phrase of the day is: To prepare dinner.
An essential expression for meals with family, or among friends.
And we are going to discover a French tradition, famous all over the world!
Yes, a wonderful gastronomic tradition recognized by UNESCO.
So, put on your apron and listen carefully to our dialogue.
Here we go to cook together in French!
So Leo, tell me your adventure from last night in your kitchen.
Last night, I wanted to make a surprise for my friends at my place.
What a nice intention! What did you want to cook for them?
I wanted to cook a big ratatouille, with zucchinis and tomatoes.
Yum, ratatouille is a delicious dish, coming from the south of France!
Yes! But I did not know how to start the recipe.
You had never cooked this dish before last night?
No, never! I put too much oil in the hot pan.
And what happened next? Did the onions burn?
Exactly! The onions burned very quickly.
Oh no, what a disaster! Was there a lot of smoke?
There was smoke everywhere in my living room!
And your guests arrived at the same time, didn't they?
Yes! The doorbell rang and I was very embarrassed.
And what was your friends' reaction?
They laughed warmly. Then, they opened the windows.
Real friends always help in difficult moments!
Yes! They said: "Do not worry, we are going to help you prepare dinner!"
That is fantastic! Cooking becomes a party when there are several people.
Absolutely. We ate a delicious ratatouille, around nine PM.
You know Leo, in France, the shared meal is a true institution.
Yes, the French like to take their time around a table.
In 2010, UNESCO inscribed the French gastronomic meal on the world heritage list.
That is magnificent! It is not just eating, it is the art of being together.
Exactly! Sharing good dishes, chatting, and laughing with those we love.
That is why it is so pleasant to prepare dinner, with joy.
Absolutely! It is the simple pleasure of good home cooking.
Let's now discover our five other essential phrases.
With great pleasure! What is our second phrase?
The second phrase is: To cut the vegetables. In English, that is "To cut the vegetables".
It is a basic step, for all evening recipes.
Yes, with a board and a good knife, we are going to cut the vegetables into cubes.
Perfect! And what is our third phrase of the day?
The third phrase is: To set the table. In English, that is "To set the table".
We use this expression to place the plates, forks, and glasses.
Exactly! Before serving the hot dish, we ask: "Can you set the table?"
It is an easy task to give, to guests or children.
Very true! And let's move on to our fourth phrase.
The fourth phrase is: To taste the sauce. In English, that is "To taste the sauce".
Ah, that is the favorite gesture of all foodie cooks!
Yes! With a wooden spoon, you must always taste the sauce to adjust spices.
If it is too bland, you add a little salt or pepper.
Absolutely! And what is our fifth phrase?
The fifth phrase is: To follow the recipe. In English, that is "To follow the recipe".
A very wise recommendation for beginners in cooking!
Yes, you must read the instructions in order, and follow the recipe well.
That is the secret to not ruining one's dish!
And finally, what is our sixth phrase to conclude?
The sixth phrase is: To wash the dishes. In English, that is "To wash the dishes".
Ah, that is the least fun moment of the evening!
That is true, but after a good meal, one must wash the dirty dishes.
Tell me Leo, when you cook, are you rather Team Leo or Team Emma?
Me, I am one hundred percent Team Leo! I like to improvise and invent mixtures.
Oh no! Me, I am Team Emma! I like to weigh everything and follow the recipe with precision.
Two different methods, but both give very good results!
That is true! And Leo, do you feel like doing a quick guessing game?
Yes, I love cultural guessing games!
In your opinion, how many French people like to prepare dinner at home each evening?
Hmm, I would say forty or fifty percent?
It is much more! I read that seventy-five percent of French people make their evening meal.
Seventy-five percent? That is a very high percentage!
Yes! And I heard that French people spend two hours per day at the table, on average.
Two hours at the table every day? That is a real world record!
That is proof that the meal is a special moment, to exchange.
It is time for our practical training! I will give you six everyday life situations.
I am ready and focused, Emma! Give me the first situation.
Situation number one. You return from work with fresh groceries. You say: To prepare dinner.
That is easy! I say with energy: Tonight, I am going to prepare dinner with fresh products!
Situation number two. You have carrots and leeks on the table. You say: To cut the vegetables.
Without hesitating, I say to my friend: Take the cutting board, we are going to cut the vegetables together!
Situation number three. The roast chicken is almost cooked. You ask to set the table.
I ask kindly: Friends, can you set the table in the living room?
Situation number four. The soup is gently simmering and you want to taste. You say: To taste the sauce.
I answer greedily: Give me a spoon, to taste the sauce and check the salt!
Situation number five. You make an apple pie for the first time. You must follow the recipe.
I say seriously: To succeed with this pie, I must follow my grandmother's recipe well.
Situation number six. The meal is finished and the table is cleared. You say: To wash the dishes.
I say in good spirits: I take care of everything, I am going to wash the dishes with nice hot water!
Bravo Leo! You succeeded in all six situations without any mistake!
Thank you Emma! These situational practices are wonderful for memorizing expressions.
We have already reached the end of our culinary episode.
Time flies so fast when we talk about good cooking!
Here is now your small oral speaking challenge for tomorrow evening.
What is this practical challenge for our learners?
Tomorrow evening, enter your kitchen. Say out loud: "Tonight, I am going to prepare dinner!"
Repeat this phrase three times in front of your mirror, with a big smile!
And tell us in the comments: are you rather Team Leo the improviser, or Team Emma the methodical one?
Think of my slightly burned ratatouille, and dare to cook without hesitating!
Enjoy every shared meal like a beautiful French celebration.
Thank you everyone for your loyalty and warm listening!
Take good care of yourselves, and enjoy your meal everyone!
Goodbye and see you next time!

Key phrases

6 to keep
Préparer le dînerMake dinner
On va préparer le dîner ensemble ce soir.We're going to prepare dinner together tonight.
Couper les légumesCut the vegetables
Tu peux couper les légumes pendant que je lave le riz ?Can you cut the vegetables while I wash the rice?
Mettre la tableSet the table
Peux-tu mettre la table pendant que je sers ?Can you set the table while I serve?
Goûter la sauceTaste the sauce
Viens goûter la sauce, dis-moi si ça manque de sel.Come taste the sauce, tell me if it needs salt.
Suivre la recetteFollow the recipe
Essaie de suivre la recette cette fois-ci.Try to follow the recipe this time.
Laver la vaisselleWash the dishes
Je vais laver la vaisselle, tu ranges le frigo ?I'm going to wash the dishes, can you put things away in the fridge?

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Say “Préparer le dîner” out loud once today — in a real situation if you can.Say “Préparer le dîner” out loud once today — in a real situation if you can.

cocoaPréparer le dîner ensemble
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