What are you eating?

[Wanderer]

--wish that they were more veg/salad served with them/options.

Rafael may correct me if things are different in Spain, but here in Greece and I think in most Mediterranean countries such dishes are not rigidly served with this or that, salad or potatoes; roast meat is served and then one is supposed to add from the other things also at the table: salads, roast potatoes, fries, spreads like tzatziki or melitzanosaláta, etc. When you order such a thing at a restaurant, you also order extra things like a communal salad or an extra serving of fries "for the table" to be shared and complement the meal. We don't order individual "sides".

[Kalevala]

@ritter I could see how that would be a problem!  They have some dishes that would fall either into pescatarian, or egg based dishes, but even most of their vegetable dishes contain some sort of ham.  Apparently, one also needs to get onto a waiting list (no idea how far in advance).

This bit of trivia I found to be quite fascinating:  supposedly, they've never let their wood oven completely go out (even during Covid they fed the fire).

I believe that one of the meat dishes that Gary ordered (the pig I believe) came with two roasted potatoes.

Rafael may correct me if things are different in Spain, but here in Greece and I think in most Mediterranean countries such dishes are not rigidly served with this or that, salad or potatoes; roast meat is served and then one is supposed to add from the other things also at the table: salads, roast potatoes, fries, spreads like tzatziki or melitzanosaláta, etc. When you order such a thing at a restaurant, you also order extra things like a communal salad or an extra serving of fries "for the table" to be shared and complement the meal. We don't order individual "sides".

Thanks for that.  The sides matches up with what I've seen on Gary Eats (He's British by the way).  Even when he's ordered fish and chips, he's always had to pay extra for things like curry sauce.

So, what happens if you're a party of one?  Do you go home with a lot of leftovers?

Hope that you enjoyed your dinner!

K

p.s.  Off to finish baking my potato; not certain what all to stuff it with today--hot here and not terribly hungry--maybe a salad on the side with some mozzarella and summer tomatoes?  A bit of a strange combo I know.

[Wanderer]

Thanks for that.  The sides matches up with what I've seen on Gary Eats (He's British by the way).  Even when he's ordered fish and chips, he's always had to pay extra for things like curry sauce.

I assume you mean in England; there's no such thing as curry sauce in Greece outside of an Indian restaurant (love them, but not in this weather : ).

[Wanderer]

So, what happens if you're a party of one?  Do you go home with a lot of leftovers?

A party of one? You just order responsibly! 

To stick with the gournopoula example, you would probably order a μερίδα "merída" (portion)*, which usually comes with some fries and some sliced onion, and a salad or tzatziki or more fries, if one wanted them, as extras. Greek-style salads (you only know one variety as Greek salad, the one we call χωριάτικη "horiátiki" - "village salad", "villageoise") don't usually go in the same plate as a main dish as a side because they are not "dry" - they have many juices (olive oil mixed in with the vegetable juices, sometimes also lemon juice or vinegar) which you're supposed to dip/soak up and enjoy with your bread. Τhey're not coming in "side" portions either; they're meant to be shared by the whole table. In fact, you should abandon the whole notion of "sides" when it comes to Greek cuisine and table: the ορεκτικά/"orektika", appetizers, which are in smaller portion plates, are also meant to be shared by the table (similar to Spanish tapas and Italian antipasti, though our portions even there are more generous), not to act as personal "sides" on a main dish. Whatever "side" is deemed appropriate for your main dish will already be on the same plate as a "συνοδευτικό".

*depending on the place, you can also order by weight, but that's specific to these types of roasts.

[Karl Henning]

 I brought home some potato salad and sushi for lunch. An unconventional pairing, but I'm standing by it.

[Kalevala]

I brought home some potato salad and sushi for lunch. An unconventional pairing, but I'm standing by it.

The big question:  what kind of sushi were you pairing it with?  Give me details!

K

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I brought home some potato salad and sushi for lunch. An unconventional pairing, but I'm standing by it.

Nice pairing!

[Kalevala]

Oh yes. K, Sobrino de Botín is a local institution! I've been there, but many , many years ago. It is not a tourist trap, but also not the first place locals would think if when going out to dinner.  But if I have visitors from abroad in town, I'd consider this restaurant as one of the places where they can get a feel of the old, "castizo" (i.e. genuine and traditional) Madrid and its cuisine.

The thing is that with my partner being a vegetarian, and I not being that fond of the dishes which are the house specialties (lamb and suckling pig cooked in a wood oven), there's not that much on the menu to lure us there.

@ritter What do you like to eat?

K

[drogulus]

     I ate a green chile chicken and rice bowl from TJs. It was good and spicy.

[Kalevala]

I ate a green chile chicken and rice bowl from TJs. It was good and spicy.

Sounds tasty!  Does it have any *veggies in it and or did you make a side salad?

*besides the chile

From the evil one.... 

K

p.s.  I'd like trying to make tamales (while corn is in season).  There's some wonderful fresh corn in my area.    That and some good salsa and....love this time of the year.

[Kalevala]

This is a recipe that I've made before--and loved [I'm not sure how this differs from the original, but if you want, I'll try and find it.]  It's vegetarian but not vegan though you could easily make it so.  Takes a while and a bit of planning (you need to soak the chickpeas overnight).  Good for a day when you are doing things around the house and can stir things a bit.  I ended up cooking it all in a slow cooker (after cooking the chickpeas).  Am thinking of using either a small can of diced tomatoes or a small can of whole pealed ones (need to look at the labels).  The flavors are wonderful and it makes a fair amount.  Had it over toasted sour dough bread and topped with a poached egg for brunch.  Excellent!

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/slow-cooked-chickpeas-on-toast-with-poached-eggs.html

@ritter Perhaps this is up your and your partner's alley? 

K

[drogulus]

Sounds tasty!  Does it have any *veggies in it and or did you make a side salad?

*besides the chile

From the evil one.... 

K

p.s.  I'd like trying to make tamales (while corn is in season).  There's some wonderful fresh corn in my area.    That and some good salsa and....love this time of the year.

     
     I guess it's just chicken, rice, chile and spices. My codefendant had a horrific fall so we couldn't go to the store. Now she's going to be very larval for a couple of days so we just eat whatever's in the house until maybe Sunday.

     

[Kalevala]

I guess it's just chicken, rice, chile and spices. My codefendant had a horrific fall so we couldn't go to the store. Now she's going to be very larval for a couple of days so we just eat whatever's in the house until maybe Sunday.

     

I'm so sorry to hear that!  How is she doing?  And how comfortable are you with cooking in the kitchen?  You realize that you can pick up things like salads (from a deli or Whole Foods) and soups too.

Best wishes to the both of you,

K❤️

[Kalevala]

And @drogulus salads are easy to make:  a basic one, iceberg or romaine (wash and if no spinner, use towels and use your arms to spin it dry in some kitchen towels), tomatoes, rinsed, cored and sliced, cucumbers, sliced (maybe peeled), celery?  Olive oil, vinegar, s&p or your favorite dressing.  Note:  everything should be rinsed well.  Some thinly sliced red onions or scallions?  Maybe a mustard vinaigrette?

K

[ritter]

This is a recipe that I've made before--and loved [I'm not sure how this differs from the original, but if you want, I'll try and find it.]  It's vegetarian but not vegan though you could easily make it so.  Takes a while and a bit of planning (you need to soak the chickpeas overnight).  Good for a day when you are doing things around the house and can stir things a bit.  I ended up cooking it all in a slow cooker (after cooking the chickpeas).  Am thinking of using either a small can of diced tomatoes or a small can of whole pealed ones (need to look at the labels).  The flavors are wonderful and it makes a fair amount.  Had it over toasted sour dough bread and topped with a poached egg for brunch.  Excellent!

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/slow-cooked-chickpeas-on-toast-with-poached-eggs.html

@ritter Perhaps this is up your and your partner's alley? 

K

Thanks, K! Looking at the description on the link, it certainly looks suitable, but unfortunately the page cannot be accessed in Europe... 

Cheers!

[Kalevala]

Thanks, K! Looking at the description on the link, it certainly looks suitable, but unfortunately the page cannot be accessed in Europe... 

Cheers!

I'll figure out a way to share it with you; give me a few minutes.

K

[Kalevala]

@ritter I'll try and send you a p.m.

K

No go, maybe try googling?  I have one of his cookbooks and hope to buy more.  I don't know whether or not it's still
accessible via the Guardian.  It's listed as Chickpeas on toast.

K

[Kalevala]

@ritter I'll try and send you a p.m.

K

No go, maybe try googling?  I have one of his cookbooks and hope to buy more.  I don't know whether or not it's still
accessible via the Guardian.  It's listed as Chickpeas on toast.

K

It's in a book (which I hope to buy) called Plenty More.

K

[ritter]

@ritter I'll try and send you a p.m.

K

No go, maybe try googling?  I have one of his cookbooks and hope to buy more.  I don't know whether or not it's still
accessible via the Guardian.  It's listed as Chickpeas on toast.

K

Thanks, K! Got a hold of the recipe googling what you suggested in your PM. Will give it a try. 

[drogulus]

I'm so sorry to hear that!  How is she doing?  And how comfortable are you with cooking in the kitchen?  You realize that you can pick up things like salads (from a deli or Whole Foods) and soups too.

Best wishes to the both of you,

K❤️

    She'll be OK if I don't work her too hard.