condire
to season, to dress (food)
Advanced Verb
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Pronunciation
/konˈdiːre/
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Cultural Note
Italian cooking philosophy revolves around not masking ingredients but enhancing them. 'Condire' perfectly captures this -- it means to bring out flavor, not to smother. The fundamental Italian dressing is simply oil, salt, and sometimes lemon or vinegar. Complicated sauces and heavy seasoning are considered a sign of inferior ingredients.
📝 Example Sentences
Condisci l'insalata con olio, sale e limone.
Dress the salad with oil, salt, and lemon.
In Italia si condisce la pasta nel tegame con il sugo.
In Italy you toss the pasta in the pan with the sauce.
Non condire troppo: la semplicita e la chiave.
Don't over-season: simplicity is the key.