I LIKE MY VEGETABLES BOILED, BUT NOT OVERCOOKED

Do you like your vegetables raw, boiled, or fried? In this lesson, we talk about how we like our food, especially vegetables. Some people like vegetables boiled, some like them steamed, and others fried. But it’s important not to overcook them because they lose their flavor and vitamins. For example:

I like my carrots boiled, but still crunchy.
She eats her broccoli steamed.
They don’t like overcooked spinach. It’s too soft!

Learning how to describe your food preferences helps you talk about eating habits, cooking styles, and healthy choices.

📚 GRAMMAR

1. Present Simple (for preferences):

I like boiled potatoes.
He doesn’t like overcooked vegetables.
Do you like carrots?

2. Past Simple (for past experiences):

We cooked broccoli yesterday.
She didn’t eat the overcooked beans.

3. Future (Will / Going to):

I will cook some vegetables for dinner.
She is going to steam the broccoli.

4. Modals (can/can’t, should/shouldn’t):

You can eat them raw.
You shouldn’t boil them too long.

5. Adverbs of Frequency:

I always boil my vegetables.
He usually steams them.

🧠 VOCABULARY

Boiled – cooked in hot water.
Steamed – cooked with steam.
Fried – cooked in hot oil.
Raw – not cooked.
Crunchy – hard and makes noise when you bite.
Overcooked – cooked too much.
Flavor – the taste of food.
Soft – easy to press or chew.
Healthy – good for your body.
Vitamins – nutrients in food that help your body.

💬 USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

I prefer my vegetables...
This is too soft/crunchy for me.
Let’s steam the carrots instead.
That’s overcooked!
How do you like your broccoli?
Just a little salt, please.

🗣️ SENTENCES

Positive:

I like my vegetables boiled.
He eats healthy food every day.

Negative:

I don’t like overcooked spinach.
She doesn’t enjoy raw carrots.

Questions:

Do you like steamed broccoli?
What vegetables do you cook at home?

Answers:

Yes, I do. I love it.
No, I prefer them grilled.

🗨️ CONVERSATION

Emma: What are you cooking, David?

David: I’m boiling some carrots and potatoes.

Emma: Oh nice! I like boiled vegetables, but not overcooked ones.

David: Me too! I always check them with a fork. If they’re too soft, I stop cooking.

Emma: That’s smart. I usually steam mine. It keeps the flavor better.

David: True. But today I’m in a hurry, so boiling is faster.

Emma: Are you making them for lunch?

David: Yes. I’m going to make a vegetable salad.

Emma: Sounds delicious! Do you need help?

David: Sure. Can you slice the cucumbers?

Emma: Of course!

📖 READING

Eating vegetables is important for a healthy life. Many people eat vegetables every day. There are different ways to cook them. Some people fry them, but it’s not very healthy. Boiling and steaming are better options. Steamed vegetables keep more vitamins. Boiled vegetables can be tasty if you don’t overcook them. Overcooked vegetables lose their flavor and become too soft. If you want to eat healthy, you should cook your vegetables with care. Try adding herbs or a little salt for more flavor.

Questions: