KITCHEN WORDS EXPLAINED
A plain-language recipe translator and cheat sheet from Space to Breathe Therapy.
Recipes can assume you already know what words such as fold, reduce, sauté, translucent or season to taste mean. When that knowledge has never been made explicit — or when executive function, fatigue, stress or sensory overload reduce capacity — one vague word can stop the whole meal.
This accessible three-page resource translates common cutting, mixing, heating, sauce and doneness terms into concrete actions and visible signs. It also includes a worked recipe translation, help with vague phrases, sensory-friendly alternatives, a reusable translator worksheet, a personal kitchen dictionary and essential safety prompts.
Useful for neurodivergent adults, people living with fatigue or overwhelm, beginners, supporters and professionals who want cooking instructions to be clearer and kinder.
Inside:
- cutting, mixing, heat and sauce terms in plain English
- what each action looks, sounds or feels like
- a worked translation of a typical recipe sentence
- ways to adapt knife work, touch, noise, smell and sequencing
- printable recipe-translator and personal-dictionary pages
- food-safety notes, sources and a message from Maggie
This is an educational resource, not individual medical, dietetic or food-safety advice. Always follow current packaging, appliance, allergy and trusted food-safety guidance.
Space to Breathe Therapy
