Latest / Learn Spanish with Fexingo / Spanish for Cooking Rice and Grains
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Spanish with Fexingo. I am Lucas. Luna: And I am Luna. We are so glad you are here with us again. Lucas: Last episode we chopped onions and tomatoes, right? Luna: Yes. We made that sofrito base. It smelled amazing. Lucas: Exactly. And today we finish the meal by adding the rice. Luna: I love rice. But I always mess up the texture. Lucas: That is why we are here. To fix those small mistakes. Luna: Okay. What is the very first step? Lucas: You must clean the starch off the grains. Luna: So I rinse it? In English we just say rinse. Lucas: In Spanish, we use a specific verb for this action. Luna: Let me guess. Lavar? Lucas: Yes. Lavar means to wash or to rinse. Luna: Okay. Lavar. Lucas: Now add the object. The thing you are washing. Luna: El arroz. Lucas: Perfect. Listen to the full phrase slowly. Lucas: Lavar el arroz. Lucas: Lavar el arroz. Luna: Lavar el arroz. Lucas: Good. That means to wash the rice. Luna: I can see the water turning cloudy. Like milk. Lucas: Right. You keep washing until the water runs clear. Luna: Got it. Wash the rice until it is clear. Lucas: Now we put it in the pot with the water. Luna: And then what happens? Does it just boil? Lucas: No. The rice needs time to take in the liquid. Luna: Take in? Like drink it? Lucas: Yes. A very useful verb for cooking is absorber. Luna: Absorber. Lucas: It means to absorb or to soak up. Luna: So the rice absorbs the water. Lucas: Exactly. Listen to the phrase slowly. Lucas: Absorber el agua. Lucas: Absorber el agua. Luna: Absorber el agua. Lucas: Nice pronunciation. It means to absorb the water. Luna: That sounds technical but it is just soaking. Lucas: It is exactly that. Now, how do we cook it? Luna: Do I turn the heat up high? Lucas: No. High heat makes it stick and burn. Luna: Oh no. I have burned rice before. It is terrible. Lucas: We need gentle heat. Low heat. Luna: Fuego bajo? Lucas: Yes. Fuego bajo. But there is a better phrase. Luna: What is it? Lucas: Listen closely. Cocinar a fuego lento. Lucas: Cocinar a fuego lento. Luna: Cocinar a fuego lento. Lucas: To cook on low heat. Luna: A fuego lento. Okay. I like that rhythm. Lucas: It implies patience. You let it simmer gently. Luna: Simmer. Yes. Like a soft bubble. Lucas: When the water is gone, the rice is cooked. Luna: Can I eat it right away? Lucas: No. It needs to settle. To relax. Luna: Relax? Food can relax? Lucas: In Spanish, yes. It is called deponer o reposar. Luna: Reposar. Lucas: Dejar reposar. Lucas: Dejar reposar. Luna: Dejar reposar. Lucas: To let it rest. Luna: Dejar reposar. I feel calm just saying it. Lucas: It helps the grains separate nicely. Luna: Okay. So I wash the rice, it absorbs the water, I cook on low heat, and then I let it rest. Lucas: Perfect summary. You got it. Luna: This is easier than I thought. Lucas: It is all about the right words for the steps. Luna: Yeah. If I know what to say, I feel more confident. Lucas: That confidence changes how you cook. Luna: True. I stop guessing and start following. Lucas: Exactly. Let us repeat the main actions one last time. Lucas: First, lavar el arroz. Luna: Lavar el arroz. Lucas: Then, absorber el agua. Luna: Absorber el agua. Lucas: Next, cocinar a fuego lento. Luna: Cocinar a fuego lento. Lucas: And finally, dejar reposar. Luna: Dejar reposar. Lucas: Beautiful. You are ready to make dinner. Luna: I am hungry just thinking about it. Lucas: Before we go, I want to talk about something important. Luna: What is it? Lucas: We do not put ads on these episodes. Luna: No ads. I like that. Lucas: We keep it clean for your learning focus. Luna: If you want to support that choice, visit buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo — that's F. E. X. I. N. G. O. Lucas: It helps us keep making these short, clear lessons. Luna: Thank you for listening and for supporting us. Lucas: Back to the kitchen. Do you have any questions? Luna: Just one. Can I use this for quinoa too? Lucas: Yes. Quinoa also needs to be washed. Luna: Lavar la quinua. Lucas: Exactly. Same steps apply. Luna: Awesome. I will try it tonight. Lucas: Great idea. Practice these phrases while you cook. Luna: I will say them out loud to myself. Lucas: That is the best way to learn. Luna: Thanks Lucas. See you next time. Lucas: See you next time. Keep practicing.