Recipe-Reading for ESL Classes

Using the English language.

Many abbreviations are used in recipes. Can you read this recipe for Corn Dumplings?
1 c. corn -- 1 c. flour -- 2 t. baking powder -- 2 t. salt
3 T. cornmeal -- 1/4 c. oil -- 1/2 c. milk
Combine dry ingredients. Stir in corn, milk and oil. Drop into soup or stew.
Simmer 15 minutes. Serves 6.
(from the Pueblo Indians)
Here are some abbreviations you will want to know:
- teaspoon: t. or tsp.
- tablespoon: T. or tbsp. or tbs.
- cup: c.
- ounce: oz.
- pound: lb.
- quart: q. or qt.
- pint: pt.
- package: pkg.
- minutes: mins.
- hour: hr.
Many unusual phrases are also used in recipes. Do you know the meaning of these?
- pinch of oregano
- clove of garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- dash of pepper
- slice of bacon, piece of bacon
- stalk of celery
Here are some other words used with food. In each sentence, how much is it?
- I bought a dozen donuts.
- I bought a bunch of bananas.
- The children each ate a few cookies.
- I ate a couple prunes.
- Could I have some carrots, please?

Read each of the previous sentences using a different food. Choose from:
grapes, pears, potatoes, crackers, rolls, brownies, rice.

This English language exercise is taken from Chapter 1 of Community Life in the USA Book 4. Copyright 1997, Federal Way Branch, American Association of University Women.

Federal Way ESL Project
PO Box 24494
Federal Way, WA 98093.