Condiments

[EcclesCake]

How many of you automatically load your dining table with various condiments by rote, irrespective of the meal.

Or are you a tad more circumspect and present a selection appropriate to the meal?

Perhaps, harshest of all, for some do you never put condiments/seasoning on the table?

[DTCwordfan]

middle option if entertaining...bottom one if just supper, seasoning in the kitchen, unless there are fries involved and then the mayo comes out (Hellman or homemade)

[pastafreak]

Just me here,and except for home made mayo occasionally,I use no condiments. I feel my food tastes the way I want it without any additions. Besides, I don't really care for ketchup or brown sauce and food is already seasoned so no need for salt/pepper. When daughter visits,she'll have ketchup with a fry-up.

[Islay]

Salt always, pepper depending on what I have cooked and sauces also depending on the meal.

[mikey4444]

Years ago, I shared a big cottage in the Peaks at New Year, with 8 other people and we took it in turns to cook the evening meal. When it came to my turn, I made a delicious Bolognese sauce, from a recipe that the Italien mother of an old school friend gave me many years before.

When we all sat down, one of our company looked around and asked where the tomato ketchup was, She and her husband had never been away with us before, but all the others were old hands at this cottage-sharing, and they immediately started to look agitated, knowing what my reaction to this strange question was going to be.

I asked her what on earth would she need ketchup before, as the pasta sauce was quite OK without it ? But she insisted and got up and fetched the bottle from the cupboard.

I told her, very plainly, that I wasn't prepared to spend all afternoon slaving over a hot stove, to see someone smother their meal with tomato sauce.

The discussion soon became rather heated, with her little mouse of a husband trying to keep the peace but I'm afraid it ended with me walking over and chucking her plate out of the kitchen window, on to the snow covered rear garden. I then stormed off to the Pub !

I had to apologise the next morning, although I kept my fingers crossed behind while I did ! I suppose I over-reacted but she hadn't even tasted the pasta, before asking for the ruddy ketchup !

I suppose its just as well we were not in Gordon Ramseys restaurant, as there might have been a meat cleaver sticking out of her back !

[mikey4444]

By the way, eating potatoes, rice or pasta without salt is totally bewildering to me, but I have never been a fan of bland, tasteless food I suppose !

[ummmm]

Lol Mikey...spag bol isn't slaved over. It's simmered and stirred occasionally :-)

[mikey4444]

Ummm...mine is !

Actually its best made a day or so in advance. I wish I could fax you a portion to taste !

[ummmm]

I got the best recipe for spag bol from Eccles.

[NoMercy]

I always serve horseradish with beef and blueberry relish with poultry.

[naomi24]

Mikey, that’s terrible! Your reaction, I mean. People eat what they want to eat.

[naomi24]

//I got the best recipe for spag bol from Eccles. //

Pass it on please, ummmm.

[naomi24]

I put out whatever condiments and sauces are appropriate to the meal - but always salt and pepper.

[ummmm]

Naomi...it really is lovely and not a tin of tomatoes in sight..

http://www.antonio-carluccio.com/Tagliatelle_al_Ragu_Bolognese

[naomi24]

Thanks ummmm. I make a pretty good Bolognese sauce, but I'm always willing to try new ideas.

[ummmm]

Might make that for dinner tonight now :-)

[ethandron]

I made a huge vat of it a while ago and have lots frozen, in two portion sized containers.
I can confirm its totally delicious, you don't need much either as its so rich and tasty.