Snobby food: How do they get their names?

There are some famous dishes whose names are really interesting and people do not know anything about their origins. I want you to know some curiosities about several dishes if you want to go to a posh restaurant and order some of them.

The first dish is Beef Stroganoff. It was the prize-winning recipe of a competition held in 1890 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The chef who invented the recipe worked for a member of a Russian noble family called Count Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov.

The next dish is made up of meat, too. This is called Beef Wellington and it has been named in Duke Wellington's honor. The origin of this famous dish goes back to the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.The Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) was considered a national hero for defeating Napoleon and he also loved this particular dish.

The third dish is called Caesar Salad. This is a nice salad flavored with Worcestershire sauce which was invented by a Mexican chef called Caesar Cardini. At first it was called Aviator's salad but later the chef named the dish after himself.

Chicken Marengo dates back to the battelfield as well as Beef Wellington. It is a French dish invented by Napoleon Bonaparte's soldiers who defeated the Austro-Hungarian army at the village of Marengo (in northern Italy). They obtained this dish by taking whatever ingredients of the village they were able to.

Another dish is Eggs Benedict. They were created in response to a complaint of some regulars called Mr. and Mrs. LeGrand Benedict at the Delmonico's restaurant in New York. They asked for something new because claiming that the menu was always the same, so the chef dedicated this dish.

The last dish is Melba Peach which was created in honor of Australian opera singer called Dame Nellie Melba. The french chef Auguste Escoffier worked in the Ritz Hotel in the early 1900s, the period when Melba performed regularly at the Covent Garden opera house.

"Chimi" or "chimichurri"

It does not matter if you say "chimi" or "chimichurri" in Argentina because everybody would understand you and also everybody would know that you are asking for a sauce.

Chimichurri is a very seasoned sauce which is mainly made from parsley, oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt, although those spices are not the only ones which you can use to make of, you can also add oregano, pepper, thyme, bay leaf, onion...

Normally, this sauce is used with roast, in order to highlight the taste of meat.

Probably, you are thinking: "What is it interesting?" so, keep reading....

There are two different theories on the etymology of the word "chimichurri"

First theory:

The first theory is that the word chimichurri comes,believe it or not, from the British.

I will explain how it can be possible:

At the beginning of the XIX c,Englishmen were prisoners by the British invasions of the Spanish colonies and those who were in prison asked sauces to season foods, but they had problems to communicate with the Spanish, so they decided to mix both languages, this mixture provided : "che-mi-curry" instead of "give me curry" and through an evolutionary way, the word "che-mi curry" has evolutioned in "chimichurry".

The second theory focuses on James McCurry whose diminutive is Jimmy Curry, an English merchant who invented this sauce. However, Argentines decided to hispanicize his name to "Yimi Churry".

CHRISTMAS MENU, a problem for you? Christmas caterings is your solution

Now that Christmas is near, I would like to post about the “Christmas Caterings”.

Christmas is the time of year where we find ourselves sharing time with friends, family and loved ones to bring the true spirit of Christmas alive.

Actually, the slogan these caterings offer us for Christmas is that they do everything about the dinner for you and you do not have to do anything else, only to enjoy.

Christmas catering is an option for people who work in these days, who do not like cooking or simply who is fed up with cooking for everybody every year. Christmas catering is a comfortable, quickly and reliable option for your Christmas menu!!

This is an example of a Christmas menu took from a real catering company.

Enjoy the post! I wish it can help you in your menu for this Christmas!

Christmas Starters

• Stilton and Red onion marmalade Tart, served with a toasted walnut and rocket salad
• Hot smoked Salmon with a kiwi chilli dressing (photo)
• Butternut Squash Soup with Truffle Cream
• Truffle and Jerusalem artichoke soup
• Forman's London smoked salmon served with traditional garnish

Christmas Mains

• Traditional Christmas turkey, served with roasted potatoes, roasted root vegetables, chestnut stuffing and a cranberry gravy (photo)
• Roasted Lamb rump with a truffle mash, creamed leaks and port sauce
• Confit of Duck, dauphinoise potatoes and buttered caraway savoy cabbage
• Sesame onion seed and smoked paprika dusted Salmon, crushed new potatoes with a hot butter sauce and baby spinach leaves
• Pastry tart of puy lentils, Jerusalem artichokes and flat mushrooms

Christmas Desserts

• Christmas pudding with brandy sauce (photo)
• White chocolate and orange essence brulee with a saffron and pistachio biscotti
• Baked Rum and raisin Cheese cake with spiced winter berries.
• Coffee and homemade truffles

A phenomenon called' Sandwich'

The ‘sandwich’ is one of the most famous English words known by everyone. It functions as a noun and usually prefers to have its name pronounced as ‘SAND wich’.

But why it is considered to be a phenomenon? I’ll explain you why. First of all, let’s start to explain that a sandwich is made by two loaf of bread with slice of salami or any different kind of cooked meats, and what is important to know is that every single country has a different name for it, but no one seems to take care about it, because they do not use their original name and prefer to use ‘sandwich’ as being their proper name. Honestly, I think it’s weird and I’m against of things like that, because people are not conscious that they will lose their identity by using these foreign words as a part of their language, and it is just one example of many others.

A sweet way

Many years ago in Britain the father of the bride gave the groom ‘honey mead’ (a honey drink) for a whole month. In this way the couple had a month of sweetness and happiness. We have now changed the word to ‘honeymoon’ – the holiday a couple goes on after their wedding.

Did you know?

The most popular dish in England is now 'curry'? So,if you go in Britain you must know what a curry is, because the term ‘curry’ has come to mean almost any Indian dish and you have to pay attention because most British people would say it is not a word they use, but when they recommend you to eat a meat, vegetable or fish dish with spicy sauce and rice or bread they referred to ‘curry’ itself!

Table manners,1

What do you think when you hear the word “language"?

Probably, this language image is related to an articulatory set of sounds that men manifest about their feelings, emotions and thoughts.

However, it is not the only language act that exists, because table manners are also considered as language form, indeed, this kind of behavior is another way of communication.

For this reason, we could know a little about table manners when we visit some different country, in order to show sympathy.

Probably,one of the most "exquisite" countries about table manners is Morocco.

Morocco follows a series of behavior during the mealtime, so I show you the most important ones.

If you are invited to a Moroccan's house:

. You should remove your shoes.

. Dress smartly. Doing so demonstrates respect towards your hosts.

. Check to see if your spouse is included in the invitation. Conservative Moroccans may not entertain mixed-sex groups.

. Shake everyone's hand individually.

About your table manners:

. Food is generally served at a knee-high round table.

. The guest of honor generally sits next to the host.

. A washing basin will be brought to the table before the meal is served. Hold your hands over the basin while water is poured over them. Dry your hands on the towel provided.

. Do not begin eating until the host blesses the food or begins to eat.

. Food is served from a communal bowl.

. Eat from the section of the bowl that is in front of you. Never reach across the bowl to get something from the other side. As an honored guest, choice cuts will be put in front of you.

. Scoop the food with a piece of bread or the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand.

. Eat and drink only with the right hand.

. Do not wipe your hands on your napkin.

. Water is often served from a communal glass. If you want your own glass, ask for a soft drink.

. The washing basin will be brought around the table again at the end of the meal.

. Expect to be urged to take more food off the communal plate. Providing an abundance of food is a sign of hospitality.

So, if you want to know more about other table manners you must not miss the next posts!