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English Vocabulary in Use - Advanced /

023. Food: A Recipe For Disaster

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wholesome
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food additive
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wholefood
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free-range
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preservative
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vegan
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unprocessed
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welfare
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convenience food
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nutrition facts label
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allergic
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fair trade
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recipe for disaster
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to cook up
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to stew in one's own juice
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one's cup of tea
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to grill
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half-baked
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to spice up
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unsavory
21-
juicy
22-
brusque
wholesome
wholesome
Adjective
wh
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having qualities that promote good health and well-being

food additive
noun
uk flag
/fˈuːd ˈædɪtˌɪv/

a substance added to food to improve its taste, texture, or appearance

What is a "food additive"?

A food additive is a substance added to food during processing or production to improve its flavor, texture, appearance, or shelf life, or to enhance its nutritional value. Food additives serve various purposes, such as preserving freshness, preventing spoilage, enhancing color or flavor, and improving texture or consistency. Examples of food additives include preservatives, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, colorings, emulsifiers, and thickeners. Food additives undergo rigorous safety evaluations before they are approved for use in food products, and they are regulated by government agencies to ensure they are safe for consumption at specified levels.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun
wholefood
wholefood
noun
wh
h
o
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l
e
f
f
oo
u:
d
d

food that contains little or no artificial substance and is considered healthy

What is "wholefood"?

Wholefood, also spelled as whole food, refers to foods that are minimally processed and close to their natural state. These foods are typically unrefined or only minimally refined and contain little to no additives or artificial ingredients. Wholefoods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins such as poultry, fish, and eggs. They are rich in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants and are associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

free-range
Adjective
uk flag
/fɹˈiːɹˈeɪndʒ/

related to a type of farming in which animals and birds can move around and eat freely, instead of being kept in a limited area

preservative
noun
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a substance that is added to food, cosmetics, or other products to prevent or slow down their spoilage or deterioration

What is a "preservative"?

A preservative is a substance added to food, beverages, or other products to prevent spoilage, decay, or contamination. Preservatives can be natural or synthetic and may come in various forms, such as acids, salts, or antioxidants. They work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeasts, or molds that can cause food to spoil or become unsafe to consume. Preservatives do not usually have a distinctive taste or texture, but some may have a slight impact on flavor or color. To make a preservative, one typically needs to identify the specific microorganisms that cause spoilage or contamination, and then select a suitable preservative that can effectively inhibit their growth.

vegan
vegan
noun
v
v
e
i:
g
g
a
ə
n
n

someone who does not consume or use anything that is produced from animals, such as meat, milk, or eggs

unprocessed
Adjective
u
ə
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n
p
p
r
r
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ɔ
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ɛ
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not altered from an original or natural state

processed
welfare
welfare
noun
w
w
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ɛ
l
l
f
f
a
ɛ
r
r
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the well-being and happiness of an individual or a group

ill-being
convenience food
convenience food
noun
uk flag
/kənvˈiːnɪəns fˈuːd/

any type of food that is pre-prepared and can be cooked quickly

What is "convenience food"?

Convenience food refers to pre-packaged or pre-prepared food items designed for quick and easy preparation. These foods are often partially or fully cooked, requiring minimal effort or cooking time to be ready to eat. Examples of convenience foods include frozen meals, canned soups, instant noodles, ready-to-eat snacks, and microwaveable dishes. While they offer convenience, some convenience foods may be high in preservatives, sodium, and other additives, so it is important to choose options that are also nutritious.

nutrition facts label
nutrition facts label
noun
uk flag
/njuːtɹˈɪʃən fˈækts lˈeɪbəl/

*** lists the nutritional content, the serving size, and the calories for a recommended serving of a food product

allergic
allergic
Adjective
a
ə
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l
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ɜ
r
r
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ʤ
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ɪ
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having negative reactions to specific substances, such as sneezing, itching, or swelling, due to sensitivity to those substances

fair trade
noun
uk flag
/fˈɛɹ tɹˈeɪd/

trading practices that do not put consumers at a disadvantage

recipe for disaster
recipe for disaster
phrase
uk flag
/ɹˈɛsɪpˌiː fɔːɹ dˌɪsˈæstɚ/
Disapproving
Idiom
Informal

something that most likely results in great problems

What is the origin of the idiom "recipe for disaster" and when to use it?

The phrase "recipe for disaster" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a combination of factors, actions, or circumstances that are likely to result in a disastrous or highly unfavorable outcome. It conveys the idea that certain elements, when combined, create a situation that is bound to go wrong or lead to significant problems. The phrase uses the metaphor of a recipe, suggesting that the combination of these factors is akin to following a set of instructions that will inevitably lead to disaster.

to cook up
to cook up
Verb
uk flag
/kˈʊk ˈʌp/

to make up something that is not true, like a story or excuse

Grammatical Information:

transitive
Phrasal Status
separable
phrase's verb
cook
phrase's particle
up
to stew in one's own juice
phrase
uk flag
/stˈuː ɪn wˈʌnz ˈoʊn dʒˈuːs/
Idiom
Informal

to suffer the unpleasant consequences of one's own deeds

What is the origin of the idiom "stew in one's own juice" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "stew in one's own juice" is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have come from the culinary world. When one stews food in its own juices, one allows it to simmer and cook slowly in its flavorful liquid, resulting in the food absorbing its own flavors and becoming tender. In the figurative sense, "stewing in one's own juice" is used to suggest that individuals must deal with the outcomes, whether positive or negative, of their choices and actions.

{one's} cup of tea
one's cup of tea
phrase
uk flag
/wˈʌnz kˈʌp ʌv tˈiː/
Idiom
Informal

a type of activity, subject, etc. that one is very good at or enjoys very much

What is the origin of the idiom "one's cup of tea" and when to use it?

The idiom "one's cup of tea" originated in Britain and is rooted in the cultural significance of tea in British society. Tea is a popular beverage in Britain, and individuals have different preferences for how they like their tea prepared, such as the strength, sweetness, or addition of milk. The idiom metaphorically extends this preference for tea to other aspects of life. The idiom suggests that just as individuals have different preferences for how they like their tea, people have varied likes and dislikes in other aspects of life.

to grill
to grill
Verb
g
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to ask a lot of challenging and persistent questions to get information or clarification

Grammatical Information:

transitive
half-baked
Adjective
uk flag
/ˈhæfˌbeɪkt/

poorly thought out or planned, lacking in detail or preparation, and therefore likely to fail

to spice up
to spice up
Verb
uk flag
/spˈaɪs ˈʌp/

to make something more exciting by adding variety or creativity

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
spice
phrase's particle
up
unsavory
Adjective
u
ə
n
n
s
s
a
v
v
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ɜ
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related to actions, behaviors, or characteristics that are morally questionable or unpleasant

savory
juicy
juicy
Adjective
j
ʤ
ui
u
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y
i

(of food) having a lot of liquid and tasting fresh or flavorful

juiceless
brusque
Adjective
b
b
r
r
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ə
s
s
q
k
u
e

abrupt or curt in manner or speech, often coming across as rude or impatient

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