Sep 9, 2026·1 min read·Graded Spanish · word-by-word audio
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El plato rallador es un utensilio de cerámica con pequeños relieves en su superficie. Sirve para rallar directamente tomate, ajo, verduras, queso o jengibre, y recoge los jugos y aromas de los alimentos. No necesita electricidad, ocupa poco espacio y es fácil de limpiar. Además, no se oxida ni retiene olores. Para preparar una lasaña vegetal, corta una berenjena en rodajas finas y déjalas reposar con sal durante 15 minutos. Después, lávalas y hazlas a la plancha con un poco de aceite.
Otra opción rápida son las patatas crujientes. Cuece 400 gramos de patatas enteras durante 15 o 20 minutos. Cuando estén tiernas, córtalas en trozos irregulares. En el plato rallador, ralla un tomate, un diente de ajo y media cebolla. Añade pimentón, salsa de soja, sal y pimienta, y mezcla bien. Incorpora las patatas y hornea 15 minutos a 180 grados. Si quieres, añade huevos por encima para una cena más completa.
También puedes preparar pasta de lentejas con pesto de calabacín. Cuece 160 gramos de pasta de lentejas y reserva un poco del agua de cocción. En el plato rallador, ralla un calabacín, un diente de ajo, la piel de medio limón y 50 gramos de parmesano. Añade almendras y albahaca picadas, aceite de oliva, sal y pimienta. Mezcla la pasta con el pesto y añade agua de cocción hasta lograr la consistencia deseada.
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Watch out, English speaker
Spanish recipes often use the tú imperative (corta, añade, hornea) to give instructions, but English typically uses the base form of the verb (cut, add, bake) without a subject. English speakers may mistakenly add the pronoun tú or use the infinitive, which sounds unnatural in a recipe. Remember: the imperative is the standard for direct instructions in Spanish.
Spanish uses the impersonal se + third-person verb (no se oxida) to make general statements, similar to English passive voice or 'one does' constructions. English speakers might try to translate literally as 'it doesn't oxidize itself' or use the passive 'is not oxidized', but the se construction is more natural and common in Spanish for describing inherent qualities.
When giving negative commands or using object pronouns with the imperative, the pronoun attaches to the end of the affirmative command (córtala) but precedes the negative command (no la cortes). English has no equivalent pronoun attachment, so learners often forget to attach the pronoun or misplace it. Practice the placement to avoid errors.
Key vocabulary
ralladorm.
grater; grating plate
“El plato rallador es muy útil en la cocina.”— The grater plate is very useful in the kitchen.
Pattern plato rallador grating plate
Compare ralladora (f.)
Plural: ralladores
💡 From the verb rallar (to grate); -dor indicates a tool.
utensiliom.
utensil, tool
“Necesito un utensilio para rallar queso.”— I need a utensil to grate cheese.
Pattern utensilio de cocina kitchen utensil
Compare herramienta (f.)
Plural: utensilios
💡 Often refers to kitchen or hand tools.
relievem.
relief, raised pattern
“La superficie tiene pequeños relieves.”— The surface has small raised patterns.
Pattern pequeños relieves small ridges
Compare textura (f.)
Plural: relieves
💡 Also refers to relief in art.
rallarv.
to grate, shred
“Voy a rallar un poco de queso para la pasta.”— I'm going to grate some cheese for the pasta.
Pattern rallar queso to grate cheese
Compare triturar
Present: rallo, rallas, ralla...
💡 ll is pronounced /ʝ/, similar to English 'y'.
recogerv.
to collect, gather
“El plato recoge los jugos de la verdura.”— The plate collects the juices from the vegetables.
Pattern recoger los jugos to collect the juices
Compare juntar
Present: recojo, recoges, recoge...
💡 Note the first-person singular form is recojo.
oxidarsev.
to oxidize, rust
“La cerámica no se oxida.”— Ceramic does not oxidize.
Pattern no se oxida does not rust
Compare corroerse
Past: se oxidó
💡 Reflexive verb, often related to metal.
retenerv.
to retain, keep
“Este material no retiene olores.”— This material does not retain odors.
Pattern retener olores to retain odors
Compare conservar
Present: retengo, retienes, retiene...
💡 Irregular verb, similar to tener.
berenjenaf.
eggplant, aubergine
“La berenjena es un ingrediente versátil.”— Eggplant is a versatile ingredient.
Pattern lasaña de berenjena eggplant lasagna
Plural: berenjenas
💡 From Arabic, common in Mediterranean cuisine.
rodajaf.
slice, round
“Corta el pepino en rodajas finas.”— Cut the cucumber into thin slices.
Pattern en rodajas sliced
Compare loncha
Plural: rodajas
💡 Often used to describe how food is cut.
planchaf.
griddle, hot plate
“Me gusta el pescado a la plancha.”— I like grilled fish.
Pattern a la plancha grilled on a griddle
Compare parrilla
Plural: planchas
💡 Common cooking method: a la plancha.
sofreírv.
to sauté, stir-fry
“Sofríe la cebolla hasta que esté dorada.”— Sauté the onion until golden.
Pattern sofreír la cebolla to sauté the onion
Compare rehogar
Past: sofreí, sofriste...
💡 Composed of so- + freír (to fry).
champiñónm.
mushroom
“Los champiñones aportan sabor a la salsa.”— Mushrooms add flavor to the sauce.
Pattern champiñones frescos fresh mushrooms
Compare seta (f.)
Plural: champiñones
💡 From French champignon.
Grammar spotlight
Imperative (affirmative) for giving steps
A2
In recipes, the tú imperative form is commonly used to give instructions, such as corta, añade, hornea. It directly addresses the reader and tells them what to do.
“Corta una berenjena en rodajas finas.”— Cut an eggplant into thin slices.
⚠️ Don't use the indicative (e.g., cortas); recipes customarily use the imperative.
Impersonal sentences with reflexive verbs
B1
Use se + third-person verb to make general statements, such as no se oxida (doesn't oxidize), emphasizing an objective fact. This construction is common for describing inherent qualities.
“La cerámica no se oxida ni retiene olores.”— Ceramic doesn't oxidize or retain odors.
⚠️ Pay attention to the position of the reflexive pronoun; it generally comes before the conjugated verb.
Sentence patterns to steal
Sirve para rallar directamente tomate, ajo, verduras, queso o jengibre.
It can be used to directly grate tomato, garlic, vegetables, cheese, or ginger.
Sirve para + infinitive + complementCan be replaced with other tools or uses, e.g., Sirve para cortar pan (It is used to cut bread).
No necesita electricidad, ocupa poco espacio y es fácil de limpiar.
It doesn't need electricity, takes up little space, and is easy to clean.
No necesita..., ocupa..., es fácil de...Can be replaced with descriptions of advantages of other items.
Cuando estén tiernas, córtalas en trozos irregulares.
When they are tender, cut them into irregular pieces.
Cuando + subjunctive, + imperativeCan be replaced with other conditional sentences, e.g., Cuando esté listo, apaga el fuego (When it's ready, turn off the heat).
Si quieres, añade huevos por encima para una cena más completa.
If you like, add eggs on top for a more complete dinner.
Si quieres, + imperative + para + goalCan be replaced with other suggestions, e.g., Si quieres, añade más queso (If you like, add more cheese).
Mezcla la pasta con el pesto y añade agua de cocción hasta lograr la consistencia deseada.
Mix the pasta with the pesto and add cooking water until you reach the desired consistency.
Mezcla... con... y añade... hasta lograr...Can be replaced with other ingredients and goals.
The Tradition of the Spanish Ceramic Grater Plate
In Spain, the ceramic grater plate (plato rallador) dates back to Roman times; archaeologists have found similar tools at Roman sites in Cartagena. In recent years, artisans have revived this traditional tool, and social media has helped it return to kitchens as a cooking utensil that is both practical and beautiful.