THINGS YOU NEED (MEXICAN FOOD)

In this lesson, we will explore the essential ingredients and items you need to prepare common Mexican dishes. You will learn vocabulary related to Mexican cuisine, useful expressions, and ways to discuss the preparation of food. We’ll cover grammar points like countable and uncountable nouns, and the use of modals (can, need to, have to) to express necessity. You will practice forming sentences, questions, and answers around the topic of food preparation and Mexican cuisine.

Grammar:

• Modals of Necessity: Can, need to, have to.

  • Use can to express ability or possibility.
    • Example: "You can buy tortillas at the market."
  • Use need to to express necessity.
    • Example: "You need to add chili peppers to the dish."
  • Use have to for obligation.
    • Example: "I have to cook the beans before dinner."

• Countable and Uncountable Nouns:

  • Countable: taco, pepper, tortilla.
  • Uncountable: rice, cheese, guacamole.

• Imperatives:

  • Give commands or instructions.
    • Example: "Chop the onions" / "Fry the tortillas."

Vocabulary:

1. Tortilla – A flat, round bread made from corn or wheat.
2. Chili pepper – A spicy fruit used in many Mexican dishes.
3. Guacamole – A dip made from mashed avocados, often served with tortilla chips.
4. Beans – A common ingredient in Mexican food, often cooked and refried.
5. Cheese – Dairy product used as a topping in many dishes like tacos and enchiladas.
6. Salsa – A spicy sauce made from tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers.
7. Avocado – A green fruit used to make guacamole.
8. Rice – A staple side dish, often served with beans.
9. Cilantro – A green herb used in Mexican food for flavor.
10. Taco – A traditional Mexican dish made with a tortilla filled with various ingredients.

Useful Expressions:

1. "You need to buy fresh tortillas."
2. "Can I add some guacamole to the tacos?"
3. "We have to cook the rice first."
4. "Do you need help preparing the salsa?"
5. "How much cheese do you want on your enchiladas?"
6. "Can I have extra cilantro on my tacos?"
7. "We should fry the tortillas before serving."
8. "You need to chop the onions for the salsa."
9. "Let’s make some guacamole for the party."
10. "I love adding chili peppers to my food for extra spice."

Sentences:

1. "You need tortillas and beans to make tacos."
2. "We have to cook the rice before dinner."
3. "Can you chop the onions for the salsa?"
4. "I need to buy some chili peppers for the dish."
5. "They are making guacamole with fresh avocados."
6. "How much cheese do you want on your quesadilla?"
7. "Let’s make rice and beans as a side dish."
8. "You need to add salsa to your tacos for extra flavor."
9. "I always use cilantro when I make tacos."
10. "You should fry the tortillas before filling them."

Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What do you need to make tacos?

   • A: You need tortillas, beans, cheese, and salsa.

2. Q: Do we have to cook the beans?

   • A: Yes, we have to cook them before serving.

3. Q: How much cilantro do you want on your tacos?

   • A: Just a little bit, please.

4. Q: Can you make guacamole for the party?

   • A: Yes, I just need some avocados.

5. Q: What ingredients are used in salsa?

   • A: Salsa is made with tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers.

6. Q: Do we need cheese for the enchiladas?

   • A: Yes, we need some shredded cheese for the topping.

7. Q: How do you prepare rice for Mexican dishes?

   • A: You need to boil the rice and then fry it with onions and garlic.

8. Q: Do we have any chili peppers?

   • A: Yes, we have a few in the fridge.

9. Q: What’s the best way to prepare tortillas?

   • A: You can fry them or heat them on a grill.

10. Q: Can I add extra cheese to my tacos?

    • A: Of course, add as much as you like.

Conversation:

Maria: What do we need to make tacos tonight?

Luis: We need tortillas, some beans, cheese, and salsa. Do we have all that?

Maria: We have the tortillas and beans, but we’re out of cheese.

Luis: Okay, I’ll go to the store and buy some cheese. Do we need anything else?

Maria: Yes, can you grab some chili peppers too? I want to make the salsa spicy.

Luis: Sure! Should I get some avocados for guacamole as well?

Maria: That’s a great idea! Let’s have guacamole with tortilla chips as a side.

Luis: Perfect! I’ll be back in a few minutes with everything we need.

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Tom: What’s for dinner tonight?

Jane: I’m thinking of making enchiladas. Do we have all the ingredients?

Tom: Let me check. We have tortillas, beans, and salsa. Do we need cheese?

Jane: Yes, we need cheese and some cilantro for the topping.

Tom: I’ll head to the store and grab those. Should I get anything else?

Jane: Maybe grab some extra chili peppers. I want to make a spicier salsa.

Tom: Got it! I’ll be back soon.

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Reading:

"Preparing a Mexican Feast"

Carlos and his family love Mexican food. Every weekend, they gather in the kitchen to prepare a traditional Mexican meal together. Today, they are making tacos, rice, beans, and guacamole. Carlos’ mother starts by preparing the beans, soaking and cooking them until they are soft. His father works on the rice, frying it with onions and garlic to give it a rich flavor.

Carlos is in charge of making the guacamole. He mashes fresh avocados, adds chopped tomatoes, onions, and a squeeze of lime juice. His sister helps by making salsa. She mixes tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers together, creating a spicy and fresh sauce to go with the meal.

Once everything is ready, they fry the tortillas on the stove until they are crispy. Everyone fills their tacos with beans, cheese, guacamole, and salsa. The table is set, and the whole family enjoys the meal they’ve prepared together. For them, making food is not just about eating—it’s a way to spend time together and celebrate their culture.