ESL Vocabulary and Idioms

Re: does it make sense?

changeling — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:45:56 GMT

thanks a lot for your comprehensive comments. I posted just a part of recipe to make sure it doesn't make sense. I sensed it :)

Re: does it make sense?

Avangi — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:50:49 GMT

Khoff, you really know how to hurt a guy! I have to admit I was a little suspicious when no ingredients were mentioned beyond the meat. - A.

Re: does it make sense?

khoff — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:05:28 GMT

I'm really not sure, but it strikes me that the dish being described might be more like meatballs than mincemeat. If you google "kotlyety" you find a variety of meatball-like recipes. I think the original poster is using "meat mince" in the more literal sense of "ground meat," rather than the preparation actually known in English as "mincemeat," and the word "cutlet" is sort of a 'false friend" for "kotlyet." (In Russian, "koylet" can mean either what we think of as a cutlet (a cooked slice of meat), or a ball or patty of ground meat.) If I'm right, the paragraph should read something like this:

When preparing ground meat it is advisable to mix pork and beef together as they work well with each other. It is healthier this way as you get more vitamins, minerals and protein. These meatballs are good to serve at a festive table with any trimming, or without it. Make sure not to grind the meat too fine, as your ground meat should not be paste-like.

Re: does it make sense?

Avangi — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:24:03 GMT

The expression is "mince meat."

"vitamins, minerals and proteins," if you wish to emphasize that the combination of beef and pork provides a greater variety of nutrients

"These cutlets" are what you start with, i.e., small portions of solid meat. They may often be served as such, but once you run them through the meat grinder, they are no longer cutlets.

I'd say mince meat is like a relish, and would be considered part of the "trimming," and not something to be served alone, "with or without trimming."

Your bit about the grinder plate is important, and clear to anyone who's used a meat grinder; but it doesn't read well, and would sound mysterious to the uninitiated. Perhaps, "the grinder plate which is designated for medium grinds." You need to make it clear that a selection of plates is provided.

(My mother made her own mince meat for use in pies. Terriffic! You can buy it in the store in jars or cans.) I seem to recall that British mince meat is a bit different. I could be wrong.

You neglected to mention the spices, which are very important.

Best wishes, - A.

does it make sense?

changeling — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:37:04 GMT

Hi everybody! Could you read a few sentences and say if they make sense to your as native speakers. When preparing meat mince it is advisable to mix pork and beef together as they work well with each other. It is healthier this way as you get more vitamins, minerals and protein. These cutlets are good dishes to serve at a festive table with any trimming, or without it. Make sure you use grinder plate for medium grinds as your meat mince should not be paste-like. Thanks in advance