# How to cook Spanish tortilla

**Language:** Spanish  
**CEFR Level:** B1  

> Listen in as Mateo and Lucía talk about the secrets to making an authentic, juicy potato tortilla in real, everyday Spanish. By the end of this course their conversation will feel easy to follow, and you'll be ready to join in.

**Setting:** In a sunlit communal kitchen in the Triana neighborhood of Sevilla, Mateo and Lucía are sharing a counter to prepare for a local culinary exhibition. They bond over their regional culinary pride while debating the precise, sacred steps of making the perfect classic tortilla.

## Lessons

### 1. Stating your food preferences

Mateo and Lucía begin cooking together but immediately clash over whether a traditional Spanish omelette should include onion.

### 2. Describing cooking techniques

Mateo and Lucía agree to make both versions of the omelette, and Mateo explains the slow-cooking technique required for the potatoes.

### 3. Comparing different cooking methods

Mateo explains why frying potatoes at high heat is a mistake, helping Lucía understand why her previous attempts didn't turn out well.

### 4. Recommending high-quality ingredients

Mateo advises Lucía on the best type of olive oil to use for the recipe, and they prepare to discuss the next ingredient: salt.

### 5. Discussing seasoning and flavor levels

Mateo and Lucía discuss the importance of adding enough salt to the potatoes, agreeing that being too cautious with seasoning ruins the flavor.

### 6. Describing your approach to rules

Lucía and Mateo talk about salting the eggs and potatoes, leading to a playful debate about Mateo's strict traditionalism versus Lucía's rule-breaking style.

### 7. Negotiating roles and responsibilities

Mateo asks Lucía to trust his culinary advice, while Lucía insists on taking charge of the high-stakes moment of flipping the tortilla.

### 8. Describing past mishaps and accidents

Lucía explains her dramatic technique for flipping the tortilla, prompting Mateo to ask about potential disasters and Lucía to recall a past kitchen mess.

### 9. Describing food consistency

Mateo and Lucía check on the potatoes to make sure they are tender before mixing them gently with the beaten eggs.

### 10. Clarifying cooking instructions

Lucía and Mateo discuss how thoroughly to beat the eggs and clarify how long the tortilla should cook to remain creamy.

### 11. Explaining a physical technique

Lucía and Mateo prepare to flip the tortilla, with Lucía explaining her step-by-step method for turning it over safely.

### 12. Acknowledging someone's skills

Mateo praises Lucía's successful flipping technique, and the two decide whether to eat the tortilla now or let it rest in the fridge.

### 13. Discussing how flavors develop

Mateo explains to Lucía why letting their dish rest overnight improves its taste and texture, and they agree to leave it until the exhibition.

### 14. Agreeing to a friendly challenge

Lucía and Mateo playfully reignite their debate over adding onion to tortilla and agree to let the public decide whose version is the best.