comma

[Maybo]

Why is a comma not needed after spiced in the following sentence?

Rice and meat - the former, delicately spiced and the latter, robustly flavoured - are cooked separately and then together, slowly on a low flame, in layers separated by juicy fried onions, saffron-infused milk and fresh herbs.

(Is there an algorithm for the perfect biryani? by Aparna Alluri)

 

[Maybo]

I would use no commas at all between the dashes.

If all commas are removed between the dashes, should I write "the former delicately spiced and the latter robustly flavoured" or "the former is delicately spiced and the latter is robustly flavoured"? Or both are acceptable?

 

[Maybo]

Can I rewrite like these?:

1. Rice, delicately spiced and meat, robustly flavoured, are cooked separately and...
2. Rice, delicately spiced and meat, robustly flavoured - are cooked separately and...

 

[Rover_KE]

You can, if you wish.

The finished dish will taste exactly the same. ;-)

 

[TheParser]

Can I rewrite like these?:

1. Rice, delicately spiced and meat, robustly flavoured, are cooked separately and...
2. Rice, delicately spiced and meat, robustly flavoured - are cooked separately and...

NOT A TEACHER

I would write "Rice (delicately spiced) and meat (robustly flavored) are cooked separately and ...."

By the way, I believe that here in the States, writers prefer one short line for a hyphen ("A twenty-year-old student") and two short lines for a dash ("French -- like English today -- was once the international (global) language."