Maria wanted to learn how to cook Italian food. She signed up for a cooking class at the community center. The class was on Saturday morning at ten o'clock. On Saturday, Maria arrived at the cooking center early. She was a little nervous because she had never taken a cooking class before. There were eight other students in the class. The teacher was an Italian woman named Sofia. Sofia had short gray hair and a warm smile. She welcomed everyone and gave them white aprons. 'Today we will make fresh pasta,' Sofia announced. 'We will also prepare a tomato sauce.' Maria put on her apron and washed her hands. Sofia showed the class the ingredients on the table. There was flour, eggs, olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. 'First, we make the pasta dough,' Sofia explained. She put the flour on the wooden board and made a hole in the middle. Then she cracked the eggs into the hole. Maria watched carefully and did the same thing. She mixed the flour and eggs together with her fingers. The dough felt sticky at first. 'Keep mixing,' Sofia said. 'The dough will become smooth.' After five minutes, Maria's dough was ready. She kneaded it for another ten minutes. Her arms were getting tired, but she did not stop. Sofia gave each student a rolling pin. 'Now we roll the dough very thin,' she said. Maria rolled her dough slowly and carefully. She made it flat like a sheet of paper. Sofia came to check her work and smiled. 'Very good, Maria! You have natural talent,' Sofia said. Next, they cut the pasta into long, thin strips. Maria's pasta looked beautiful. She was proud of her work. While the pasta rested, they made the sauce. Sofia heated olive oil in a large pan. She added chopped garlic and let it cook for one minute. 'Be careful not to burn the garlic,' Sofia warned. 'It becomes bitter if you cook it too long.' Maria added crushed tomatoes to her pan. The kitchen filled with a delicious smell. She stirred the sauce gently. Sofia showed them how to add salt and pepper. 'Taste your sauce often,' she advised. 'Good cooks always taste their food.' Maria tasted her sauce with a clean spoon. It needed more salt. She added a pinch and tasted again. Now it was perfect. They added fresh basil leaves to the sauce. The green leaves looked beautiful in the red sauce. Maria was enjoying the class very much. Finally, it was time to cook the pasta. Sofia boiled a big pot of water. 'The water must be very hot,' she explained. 'And add plenty of salt.' Maria dropped her pasta into the boiling water. It only took three minutes to cook fresh pasta. She watched it float to the top. She drained the pasta and put it on a plate. Then she poured the tomato sauce over it. The dish looked just like food from a restaurant. All the students sat down together to eat their pasta. Maria took her first bite and closed her eyes. It was delicious. 'This is the best pasta I have ever made,' she said to Sofia. 'You made it with love,' Sofia replied. 'That is the secret ingredient.' Maria talked with the other students while they ate. They shared cooking tips and favorite recipes. She made some new friends. After the class, Maria thanked Sofia. 'I learned so much today,' she said. 'Can I sign up for next week's class?' Sofia gave her the schedule. 'Next week we make pizza,' she said with a smile. Maria walked home feeling happy. She could not wait to cook for her family. She knew they would love her new pasta recipe. That evening, Maria made pasta for dinner. Her family was very impressed. Her mother asked for the recipe. 'I will teach you,' Maria said proudly. 'I am becoming a real Italian cook!'
English Story (A2)The Cooking Class
This A2 English story is designed for elementary learners. Click any word for instant translation and build your vocabulary as you read.
aboutStory
Maria joins a cooking class at the community center to learn Italian cuisine. Under teacher Sofia's guidance, she makes fresh pasta and tomato sauce from scratch. Maria enjoys the class, makes new friends, and discovers cooking with love is the secret ingredient. She returns home to cook for her family and plans to attend the pizza class next week.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What did the class make during the cooking lesson?
2
What did Sofia say was the secret ingredient?
3
What warning did Sofia give about cooking garlic?
4
What did Sofia say the class would make the following week?
Vocabulary
30 words from this story
