Comida y amor / Food and love - 5 minutes of Spansih + Podcast (English version)

 Hello! How are you?

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, depending on where you are or what time you're listening.

Welcome to podcast 258. Thank you for being here. So... what are we going to talk about today?

In these five minutes of Spanish, halfway through the week, we're going to continue with the topic of love. Yes, it's the month of love.

Oh, love again... We already talked about love and how it differs from liking someone.

Eduardo, you don't seem very romantic, but this time you're going to like it. Today's topic is food and love.

Ah, of course. How to please your ideal person. You know the saying: “The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.”

I don't know what nutritionists would say about this popular phrase. Sometimes we repeat sayings that aren't always logical. A saying is a popular expression or proverb. In Spanish, dicho. In English, saying.

It's true, it's a joke. Eating is often associated with caring for others and sharing. For example: I'll treat you to coffee, let's grab a coffee, or I'll make a special dinner.

Listen to the Podcast

Exactly. Cooking for someone can be a nice gesture to take care of your better half,

But... What is “your better half”?

Good question. Better half in the Hispanic world is a way of saying “your ideal partner” or “your other half.” In English, it would be something like soulmate or other half.

Although, realistically, relationships don't just appear out of thin air. They are built on habits: talking, spending time together, cooking together, making plans.

Very true. But let's get to the important question. What could we prepare for a special dinner?

Something fresh always works.

For example, gazpacho. It's a Spanish cold soup. Light, colorful, and easy to prepare.

It sounds elegant.

Plus, it's not heavy. When we say “the food sits well,” we mean that it's easy to digest. In Spanish, it's comida cae bien.

Perfect. And for starters?

Ceviche is always a good idea. Fresh, with lemon, light and fresh. It's very popular in Mexico.

And for the main course?

Something simple. For example, chicken tinga. If the person is vegetarian, you can make carrot tinga. It's simple, tasty, and very Mexican.

And you can serve it on tostadas with avocado. Avocado is almost mandatory in Mexican cuisine.

Always avocado.

You can also prepare stuffed poblano peppers. Classic, delicious, and not too complicated.

And dessert?

Strawberries are a classic choice. Strawberries with cream or strawberry mousse. Fresa means strawberry.

Very romantic.

And to drink, here's an interesting word: maridaje. Maridaje is the combination of food and drink. In English, pairing.

So, white wine, rosé...?

Something light and fresh works well. But of course, we're in Mexico...

Tequila or mezcal?

That depends on each person's taste.

The table, by the way, doesn't need to be complicated. Something simple, maybe a candle, nice and cozy.

Before finishing, here's a funny comment. Isabel Allende, the Chilean writer, recounts in one of her many books some advice she gave her son. It's funny and has some truth to it.

Oh, really? What advice did she give him? Advice means consejo.

She told him 

;She told him; open the door wearing an apron, no shirt, and with a slightly squashed cake in your hand. You should buy the cake beforehand and then move it vigorously...

That way it looks like you made it, ha ha.

Of course, men who cook are generally attractive. If you're a woman, it's the opposite: no aprons or messy hair...

Delantal-apron

Pelos despeinados-thornless hairs

A humorous tip about cooking and welcoming someone into your home. In the end, it's not perfection that matters, but the detail and the intention.

I totally agree.

Want more ideas or recipes to practice Spanish?

Contact us. Happy month of love.

Thank you for listening to this podcast until the end.

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