Recipe literacy starts with breaking down technical language into actionable tasks. Before beginning a lab, have students underline every imperative verb in the recipe such as fold, blanch, or emulsify. If a student cannot define an action, they must look it up or ask for a demonstration before touching any equipment. This explicit step turns a complex paragraph into a simple checklist of physical movements. By mapping these technical terms to specific kitchen tools and techniques, students build confidence and reduce common errors caused by skipping steps or misinterpreting instructions. This practice creates a safety habit of reading through the entire sequence of work before starting the heat or mixing ingredients.