A2-14 / CEFR A2 / EPISODE 14

Cooking Class

Following cooking instructions

SceneA cooking class where the instructor explains pasta.

A cooking teacher reaches out as Tina pours salt into a pot, with Frank behind them.
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STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Narrator

Tina is taking a cooking class. A pot of water is boiling. The instructor is teaching her to make pasta.

ティナは料理教室を受けている。鍋のお湯が沸いている。講師がパスタの作り方を教えている。

Instructor01

First, salt the water.

まず、お湯に塩を入れます。

Tina02

How much? This whole box?

どのくらいですか?この箱全部?

Instructor03

No! Use this spoon. Just one spoonful.

だめ!このスプーンを使ってください。1杯だけです。

Tina04

Sorry. On my— At home, we like things salty.

すみません。私の——…うちでは、しょっぱいのが好きなもので。

Instructor05

Now add the pasta. Boil it until it's al dente.

では、パスタを入れます。ちょうどよい固さになるまで茹でてください。

Tina06

How long does that take?

どれくらいかかりますか?

Instructor07

About eight minutes.

約8分です。

Narrator

Eight minutes later, the pasta is ready.

8分後、パスタが茹で上がる。

Instructor08

Now drain the pasta, then mix in the sauce and cheese.

では水を切って、ソースとチーズを混ぜます。

Tina09

Wow, that smells amazing. Can I taste it now?

…わあ、いい香りですね。もう味見してもよろしいですか?

Instructor10

Wait for the cheese to melt first.

まずチーズが溶けるまで待って。

Tina11

...Okay. But if I wait any longer, I might eat the fork.

…わかりました。でも、これ以上待つと、フォークを食べてしまいそうです。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“until it's al dente”

Al dente is Italian for pasta cooked with a little firmness remaining. Japanese also borrows the term. It is a familiar guide to the desired texture when boiling pasta.

“salt the water” / “one spoonful”

Salt is not only the noun for the seasoning; as a verb it means to add salt. Salt the water means to put salt in the water. One spoonful means the amount one spoon holds; here, measured with the spoon the instructor hands her. The instructor stops Tina's extreme suggestion of "this whole box" by naming a specific amount.

“On my— At home”

Tina probably begins to say On my planet and quickly changes it to At home. The dash marks an interrupted word or phrase. She is trying to hide that she is an alien.

“if I wait any longer, I might eat the fork”

Any longer means more than now, and might ... means something may happen. Tina cannot wait to eat and exaggerates that she might even eat the fork. She will not really eat the fork; it is a joke showing how eager she is.