Cooking & Markets

1. Как приготовить борщ?

   kak prigotovit' borshch

   How do you cook borscht?

   Usage

   Asking how to prepare the classic Russian/Ukrainian soup borscht

   Grammar Note

   "Приготовить" is the perfective of "готовить" (to cook). "Как" asks about method or manner

2. Можно мне рецепт?

   mozhno mne retsept

   May I have the recipe?

   Usage

   Asking for a recipe after enjoying a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Можно мне" is an elliptical request meaning "may I have". "Мне" is the dative of "я" (I)

3. На сколько минут поставить в духовку?

   na skol'ko minut postavit' v dukhovku

   For how many minutes should it go in the oven?

   Usage

   Asking how long to bake something in the oven

   Grammar Note

   "На" + accusative expresses duration or direction. "Духовку" is the accusative of "духовка" (oven)

4. Сколько соли нужно добавить?

   skol'ko soli nuzhno dobavit'

   How much salt should be added?

   Usage

   Asking about the right amount of salt in a recipe

   Grammar Note

   "Сколько" + genitive asks "how much of". "Соли" is the genitive of "соль" (salt)

5. Нужно ли предварительно замочить фасоль?

   nuzhno li predvaritel'no zamochit' fasol'

   Is it necessary to soak the beans in advance?

   Usage

   Checking whether dried beans need to be soaked before cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Нужно ли" questions necessity. "Фасоль" (beans) is a feminine noun used collectively: the singular form refers to beans in general

6. Как нарезать лук?

   kak narezat' luk

   How do you chop the onion?

   Usage

   Asking how to cut or chop onions while cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Нарезать" is the perfective of "резать" (to cut). "Лук" is often used as an uncountable collective noun

7. Где купить свежие продукты?

   gde kupit' svezhiye produkty

   Where can fresh produce be bought?

   Usage

   Asking where to find fresh local ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "Купить" is the perfective of "покупать" (to buy). "Продукты" is the accusative plural of "продукт"

8. Это слишком острое для меня

   eto slishkom ostroye dlya menya

   This is too spicy for me

   Usage

   Telling someone a dish is too spicy

   Grammar Note

   "Острое" is the long-form neuter of "острый" (spicy), with "блюдо" (dish) understood, agreeing with "это" (neuter). "Для" + genitive = "for"

9. Как долго жарить стейк?

   kak dolgo zharit' steyk

   How long should the steak be fried / cooked?

   Usage

   Asking about the cooking time for steak

   Grammar Note

   "Жарить" is imperfective, emphasizing the ongoing process of cooking. The perfective is "поджарить"

10. Это блюдо вкусно пахнет!

    eto blyudo vkusno pakhnet

    This dish smells delicious!

    Usage

    Complimenting the aroma of a dish while cooking

    Grammar Note

    "Пахнет" is the third-person singular present of "пахнуть" (to smell). "Вкусно" is the adverbial form

11. Тофу

    To-fu

    Tofu

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for tofu, or to ask that it be left out

12. Суп

    Sup

    Soup

    Usage

    Point at this to order a soup

13. Фрукты

    Fruk-ty

    Fruit

    Usage

    The general word for fruit; individual fruits are in the "fruits" category

14. Чеснок

    Ches-nok

    Garlic

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for garlic, or to ask that it be left out

15. Репчатый лук

    Rep-cha-tyy luk

    Onion

    Usage

    "Luk" alone also means a bow (weapon) and green onion, so "repchatyy" pins it to a bulb onion

16. Перец чили

    Pe-rets chi-li

    Chili pepper

    Usage

    Point at this to adjust the heat of a dish; black pepper is "chyornyy perets"

17. Кинза

    Kin-za

    Coriander leaf (cilantro)

    Usage

    The fresh leaf is "kinza"; the seed spice is "koriandr". Point at it to have it left out

18. Имбирь

    Im-bir'

    Ginger

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for ginger, or to ask that it be left out

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