Cooking & Markets

1. ¿Dónde está el mercado local?

   Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used when looking for fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   "¿Dónde está ~?" is the standard Spanish structure for asking where something is

2. ¿Cómo se llama este ingrediente?

   What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "¿Cómo se llama ~?" uses a reflexive verb meaning "how is it called?"

3. ¿Es este plato muy picante?

   Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a dish is very spicy

   Grammar Note

   "muy" means "very". Spanish questions begin with an inverted question mark

4. ¿Puede recomendar un curso de cocina?

   Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Polite request to recommend a local cooking class

   Grammar Note

   "Puede" is the formal "usted" form; "¿Puede ~?" is a polite request

5. ¿Cómo se prepara este plato?

   How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to prepare a dish

   Grammar Note

   "se prepara" is a reflexive-passive construction meaning "is prepared"

6. ¿Dónde puedo comprar verduras frescas?

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce

   Grammar Note

   "¿Dónde puedo ~?" means "where can I ~?"

7. Me gustaría aprender a cocinar comida local.

   I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Expresses interest in learning local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "Me gustaría ~" uses the conditional tense expressing polite desire

8. ¿Tiene ingredientes vegetarianos?

   Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used when looking for vegetarian-friendly ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "¿Tiene ~?" is the formal "usted" form asking "do you have ~?"

9. ¿Qué especias se utilizan en este plato?

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about the spices in a dish

   Grammar Note

   "se utilizan" is the reflexive-passive plural form. "qué especias" means "what spices"

10. ¿Puedo probar una muestra?

    Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at markets or food shops to request a taste

    Grammar Note

    "¿Puedo ~?" asks for permission or ability: "can I ~?"

11. la sal

    Salt

    Usage

    Point at it to ask for salt or to ask for less of it

12. el azúcar

    Sugar

    Usage

    For asking for sugar or for something without it

13. la pimienta

    Black pepper

    Usage

    Ground or whole black pepper; do not confuse it with "el pimiento" (bell pepper)

14. el aceite

    Oil

    Usage

    Cooking oil in general; olive oil is "aceite de oliva"

15. el vinagre

    Vinegar

    Usage

    For asking for vinegar or checking whether a dish contains it

16. la mantequilla

    Butter

    Usage

    Argentina and Uruguay say "manteca" — but elsewhere "manteca" means lard, so this form is safer

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