a touch of flour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch of flour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of flour added to a recipe or dish to enhance its texture or flavor. Example: "For the perfect pancake batter, just add a touch of flour to achieve the right consistency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Add a touch of flour, and when it fries in oil, it spreads thin like a crepe batter, puffs up and holds together when you flip it.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can make it lighter in texture and color by using a touch of white flour in place of whole wheat, though to me that defeats the purpose.

The New York Times - Magazine

It rested in a tasty sauce of the meat juices with a touch of lemon and a bit of flour for thickening.

Los Angeles Times

"Beer batter is something that's super common," says Su. Whisked into a simple batter consisting of nothing more than flour, salt and a touch of baking powder, a beer batter puffs up light and crisp.

Los Angeles Times

I tossed the shredded vegetables into what has become my go-to fritter batter, a light mix of flour, egg and milk with a touch of coriander and pepper.

The New York Times - Food

But they have probably never tasted B. K.'s splendid ghribia, a mound-shaped cookie made from semolina flour, butter, and just a touch of sugar that melts on the tongue like a pecan sandie only wishes it could.

The New York Times

The fish is sustainable; it's all fried in sunflower oil with a touch of rosemary essence, which, Niazi says, ensures that the batter — made simply, with flour and water — isn't greasy.

The Washington Post

A pinch of flour will also work.

WikiHow

"A touch of a roadhouse.

The New York Times - Magazine

7. "A Touch of Sin".

The New Yorker

And a touch of frustration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When a recipe calls for "a touch of flour", add it gradually while mixing to prevent over-thickening or dryness.

Common error

Avoid adding too much flour when "a touch of flour" is specified. Excess flour can lead to a dry, dense final product, especially in baked goods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch of flour" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier of quantity. It indicates a very small, often unspecified, amount of flour added to something, usually in a culinary context. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is appropriate to use "a touch of flour" when referring to a small amount of flour added to enhance a recipe's texture or flavor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touch of flour" is a phrase used to describe adding a very small amount of flour, particularly in cooking. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. It's most common in News & Media and Wiki sources, reflecting a neutral to informal tone. Remember to use it sparingly to avoid over-thickening. Alternatives include "a pinch of flour" or "a dash of flour". When in doubt, add gradually to achieve the desired consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pinch of flour

Replaces "touch" with "pinch", indicating a very small quantity.

a dash of flour

Uses "dash" instead of "touch", implying a quick addition of flour.

a hint of flour

Substitutes "touch" with "hint", suggesting a subtle presence of flour.

a sprinkle of flour

Replaces "touch" with "sprinkle", focusing on the action of scattering flour lightly.

a dusting of flour

Uses "dusting" to describe a light coating of flour.

a small amount of flour

Replaces "touch" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the quantity.

a trace of flour

Substitutes "touch" with "trace", highlighting a minimal quantity of flour.

a scant amount of flour

Uses "scant" to indicate a barely sufficient quantity of flour.

a whisper of flour

Replaces "touch" with "whisper", metaphorically suggesting a very subtle amount of flour.

a tiny bit of flour

Substitutes "touch" with "tiny bit", directly stating a very small quantity.

FAQs

What does "a touch of flour" mean in a recipe?

In culinary terms, "a touch of flour" refers to adding a very small amount of flour to a dish, typically to thicken it slightly or improve its texture. It's not a precise measurement, so you may need to adjust the quantity based on the specific recipe and your preferences.

What can I use instead of "a touch of flour"?

You can use alternatives like "a pinch of flour", "a dash of flour", or "a hint of flour" to indicate a similar small quantity.

How much flour is "a touch"?

Since "a touch of flour" isn't a precise measurement, it's subjective. Start with about a teaspoon or less and add more gradually until you reach the desired consistency. Remember, it's easier to add more than to remove excess.

Is it okay to omit "a touch of flour" from a recipe?

It depends on the recipe. If the flour is primarily for thickening, you might be able to omit it or use an alternative thickener. However, if it contributes to the structure or texture, omitting it could affect the final result.