Cooking is an art that involves various techniques and methods of food preparation. Each method affects the taste, texture, and nutritional value of the dish. Whether we are cooking traditional Slovak meals or experimenting with modern culinary techniques, it is good to know different ways to prepare food.
1. Basic Kitchen Equipment
- sporák – stove
- rúra – oven
- mikrovlnná rúra – microwave
- chladnička – refrigerator
- mraznička – freezer
- umývačka riadu – dishwasher
- digestor – extractor hood
- drez – sink
- batéria (vodovodná) – faucet
- pracovná doska – countertop
2. Kitchenware and Utensils
- hrniec – pot
- panvica – frying pan
- pekáč – baking dish
- rýchlovarná kanvica – electric kettle
- mixér – blender
- metlička – whisk
- naberačka – ladle
- sitko – sieve
- krájač – slicer
- strúhadlo – grater
- valček – rolling pin
- kuchynská doska (na krájanie) – cutting board
- nôž – knife
- vidlička – fork
- lyžica – spoon
- lyžička – teaspoon
- tanier – plate
- miska – bowl
- pohár – glass
- šálka – cup
3. Methods of Food Preparation
- krájať – to cut
- miešať – to stir
- šľahať – to whip
- pasírovať – to strain/purée
- strúhať – to grate
- variť – to cook/boil
- piecť – to bake
- dusiť – to stew
- smažiť/vyprážať – to fry
- nahrievať – to heat up
- chladiť – to chill
- dochutiť – to season
- podávať – to serve
- marinovať – to marinate
- pražiť (na panvici) – to fry (on the pan)
- grilovať – to grill
- karamelizovať – to caramelize
- drviť – to crush
4. Ingredients in the Kitchen
- soľ – salt
- cukor – sugar
- múka – flour
- olej – oil
- maslo – butter
- mlieko – milk
- vajce – egg
- chlieb – bread
- cestoviny – pasta
- ryža – rice
- mäso – meat
- ryba – fish
- ovocie – fruit
- zelenina – vegetables
- korenie – spices
5. Phrases related to cooking and the kitchen
- Čo dnes uvaríme? – What shall we cook today?
- Podaj mi, prosím, lyžicu. – Please bring/pass me a spoon.
- Nezabudni osoliť polievku. – Don’t forget to salt the soup.
- Tento koláč je výborný! – This cake is delicious!
- Prosím umy riad. – Please wash the dishes.
- Voda už vrie. – The water is already boiling.
- Dáme si kávu? – Shall we have coffee?
- Opatrne, panvica je horúca! – Be careful, the pan is hot
- Toto jedlo je príliš slané/sladké. – This food is too salty/sweet.
- Podaj mi nôž, prosím. – Pass me the knife, please.
Cooking is not just about preparing food, but also about creativity and discovering new flavors. Each technique has its purpose and can transform a dish into a true culinary experience. Don’t be afraid to try new methods and adapt them to your own taste – after all, the best ideas are born in the kitchen!
You can download the vocabularyin the kitchen as a PDF.