http://www.recfoodcooking.com/

(Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

On 11/09/2010 11:30 AM, ChattyCathy wrote:
> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> (Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.

I pay more attention since I started food blogging in earnest, but I've
always tried to make stuff look at least a little better than "slap it
on a plate".

Serene

--
http://www.momfoodproject.com

On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:30:02 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> (Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.

I was caught between the first and second answer because appearance is
always important and my husband often comments that whatever it is
looks like a restaurant meal; but adding a garnish just for the sake
of garnishing with no complimentary flavor punch isn't important to me
(no tomato roses unless I peeled tomatoes for the dish, for example).
I picked the first one anyway.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On Tue, 9 Nov 2010 20:02:01 GMT, "l, not -l" > wrote:

> In my home, we have always served meals family-style; plates and silverware
> at each place and food self-served from bowls/platters/whatever.

I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
- fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
*under* the fork. I always plate food in the kitchen and do *not* put
serving dishes on the table. I always feel like I'm one of the
Beverly Hillbillies sitting at the fancy green eatin' table when that
happens. If my family wants more, they can always get up and get
seconds from the kitchen - where the food is still warm, not stone
cold sitting in a serving dish on the table.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On 11/09/2010 01:14 PM, l, not -l wrote:

>
> Well, I suppose my family is a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies, and I see
> no shame in that.

Nor do I. What I do see shame in is the classist insulting that some
people do when they disparage ways that aren't like theirs.

> While we do set a proper table, we don't use notched cue
> sticks as pot-passers, nor do we eat possom, and it's been a long time since
> we had fried squirrel (here in the big city they don't like us shootin'
> 'em). The Hillbillies were certainly portrayed as a better class of people
> than Bernie Maddoff and his Wall Street ilk or today's out-of-control
> "celebrities"; I'd certainly prefer the Hillbillies for neighbors. 8-)

Amen.

And back to the topic, usually I plate the food, and I prefer it that
way, but occasionally, it makes more sense to eat family-style.

Tonight, we're having sushi. Odds are, I will put out proper place
settings, and then pass plates of the different kinds of sushi, rather
than plating each person's portion, since different people might want
different amounts of each kind, and I always make plenty for everyone.

Serene
--
http://www.momfoodproject.com

"Serene Vannoy" > wrote in message
...
> On 11/09/2010 01:14 PM, l, not -l wrote:
>
>>
>> Well, I suppose my family is a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies, and I
>> see
>> no shame in that.
>
> Nor do I. What I do see shame in is the classist insulting that some
> people do when they disparage ways that aren't like theirs.
>
> > While we do set a proper table, we don't use notched cue
>> sticks as pot-passers, nor do we eat possom, and it's been a long time
>> since
>> we had fried squirrel (here in the big city they don't like us shootin'
>> 'em). The Hillbillies were certainly portrayed as a better class of
>> people
>> than Bernie Maddoff and his Wall Street ilk or today's out-of-control
>> "celebrities"; I'd certainly prefer the Hillbillies for neighbors. 8-)
>
> Amen.
>
> And back to the topic, usually I plate the food, and I prefer it that way,
> but occasionally, it makes more sense to eat family-style.
>
> Tonight, we're having sushi. Odds are, I will put out proper place
> settings, and then pass plates of the different kinds of sushi, rather
> than plating each person's portion, since different people might want
> different amounts of each kind, and I always make plenty for everyone.

I hate having my plate made up for me

--
--
https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Omelet wrote:
>
> ChattyCathy > wrote:
>
>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
>I'll decorate plates sometimes but it depends on the situation.
>Sometimes I just dish it up but many times, I at least try to plate it
>attractively for dad.
>
>For myself? I don't care...

You don't value yourself... sad.

I always do up my plate for presentation even though just me... I even
attractively arrange my cat's fancy feast, each in their own museum
quality bowls, my cats are high class too.

In article >,
ChattyCathy > wrote:

> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> (Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.

Although appearance is of some importance to us, we always serve family
style, and sometimes from the cooking vessels, so it was MCINL.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:30:02 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

>http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
>(Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.

You're welcome, and I'm glad to see you back!

We don't plate at all. Though I must admit that the appearance of
food has some effect on its palatability. Many years ago the wife
made green pancakes, just for fun. All she did was add food coloring
to the batter, but I could not eat them. She enjoyed them, though.
--
Best -- Terry

ChattyCathy wrote on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:30:02 +0200:

> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/

> (Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.
> --
> Cheers
> Chatty Cathy

I don't often cook for more than myself so the question is a bit
irrelevant. Nonetheless, I like to make the food look attractive so I
don't just slop it on.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:31:08 -0600, Omelet >
wrote:

>In article >,
> Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>
>> Omelet wrote:
>> >
>> > ChattyCathy > wrote:
>> >
>> >> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>> >
>> >I'll decorate plates sometimes but it depends on the situation.
>> >Sometimes I just dish it up but many times, I at least try to plate it
>> >attractively for dad.
>> >
>> >For myself? I don't care...
>>
>> You don't value yourself... sad.
>>
>> I always do up my plate for presentation even though just me... I even
>> attractively arrange my cat's fancy feast, each in their own museum
>> quality bowls, my cats are high class too.
>
>Most of what I prepare for myself is only one or two items. Most often
>some meat and greens.
>
>Kinda hard to make that decorative. ;-)
>
>It all ends up in the same place... and more than once, you have
>disparaged my plating anyway so I must not be good at it. <g>

Even when it's just me I'll still make it an arrangement and almost
always add a garnish even if only a lemon wedge dipped in minced
parsley or a small rose bud of pared apple peel... even a bowl of tuna
salad gets fork imprints and a dusting of paprika. If I ate at a
restaurant I'd expect presentation, why should I treat myself less. Do
you at least eat from a clean dish.

On 11/09/2010 12:24 PM, Mr. Bill wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 11:41:24 -0800, Serene Vannoy
> > wrote:
>
>> I've
>> always tried to make stuff look at least a little better than "slap it
>> on a plate".
>
> And you ALWAYS do, Serene!!

Nope, not always. My family will back me up on this.

Serene
--
http://www.momfoodproject.com

On 11/09/2010 01:49 PM, Ophelia wrote:

> I hate having my plate made up for me

I think that personal preference is certainly part of that
decision-making process. If anyone here hated it, I might adjust. Do
you hate it in restaurants, too?

Serene

--
http://www.momfoodproject.com

On Nov 9, 1:24*pm, sf > wrote:
> On Tue, 9 Nov 2010 20:02:01 GMT, "l, not -l" > wrote:
> > In my home, we have always served meals family-style; plates and silverware
> > at each place and food self-served from bowls/platters/whatever.
>
> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> *under* the fork. *I always plate food in the kitchen and do *not* put
> serving dishes on the table. *I always feel like I'm one of the
> Beverly Hillbillies sitting at the fancy green eatin' table when that
> happens. *If my family wants more, they can always get up and get
> seconds from the kitchen - where the food is still warm, not stone
> cold sitting in a serving dish on the table.
>
> --
>
> Never trust a dog to watch your food.

==
I jest sets 'em down at the kitch'n table and tells 'em to hep
themselves from the pots on the stove. Iff'n they wants second helpins
theys welcome to scrounge fer whats left.
==

On Nov 9, 2:49*pm, "Ophelia" > wrote:
> "Serene Vannoy" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> > On 11/09/2010 01:14 PM, l, not -l wrote:
>
> >> Well, I suppose my family is a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies, and I
> >> see
> >> no shame *in that.
>
> > Nor do I. What I do see shame in is the classist insulting that some
> > people do when they disparage ways that aren't like theirs.
>
> > > While we do set a proper table, we don't use notched cue
> >> sticks as pot-passers, nor do we eat possom, and it's been a long time
> >> since
> >> we had fried squirrel (here in the big city they don't like us shootin'
> >> 'em). * The Hillbillies were certainly portrayed as a better class of
> >> people
> >> than *Bernie Maddoff and his Wall Street ilk or *today's *out-of-control
> >> "celebrities"; I'd certainly prefer the Hillbillies for neighbors. *8-)
>
> > Amen.
>
> > And back to the topic, usually I plate the food, and I prefer it that way,
> > but occasionally, it makes more sense to eat family-style.
>
> > Tonight, we're having sushi. Odds are, I will put out proper place
> > settings, and then pass plates of the different kinds of sushi, rather
> > than plating each person's portion, since different people might want
> > different amounts of each kind, and I always make plenty for everyone.
>
> I hate having my plate made up for me
>
> --
> --https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

==
I have never been anywhere that a host "plated" for anyone except
small children or aged guests or the disabled. Retail food
establishments and institutions such as hospitals have to "plate"
food. If I were to "plate" food for my family or guests I'm sure that
they would assume I was a stingy old Scrouge and very likely mumble
some not very nice remarks.
==

On Nov 9, 2:50*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> Omelet wrote:
>
> > ChattyCathy > wrote:
>
> >>http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> >I'll decorate plates sometimes but it depends on the situation.
> >Sometimes I just dish it up but many times, I at least try to plate it
> >attractively for dad.
>
> >For myself? I don't care...
>
> You don't value yourself... sad.
>
> I always do up my plate for presentation even though just me... I even
> attractively arrange my cat's fancy feast, each in their own museum
> quality bowls, my cats are high class too.

==
Do you provide "finger" bowls and napkins as well?
==

On Tue, 9 Nov 2010 16:29:53 -0800 (PST), Roy >
wrote:

>On Nov 9, 2:50*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>> Omelet wrote:
>>
>> > ChattyCathy > wrote:
>>
>> >>http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>>
>> >I'll decorate plates sometimes but it depends on the situation.
>> >Sometimes I just dish it up but many times, I at least try to plate it
>> >attractively for dad.
>>
>> >For myself? I don't care...
>>
>> You don't value yourself... sad.
>>
>> I always do up my plate for presentation even though just me... I even
>> attractively arrange my cat's fancy feast, each in their own museum
>> quality bowls, my cats are high class too.
>
>Do you provide "finger" bowls and napkins as well?

Always napkins... I suppose you wipe on your sleeve/pants, or the
tablecloth... oh, you wouldn't have a tablecloth, beast!

"sf" > ha scritto nel messaggio , "l, not -l"
> wrote:
>
>> In my home, we have always served meals family-style; plates and
>> silverware>> at each place and food self-served from
>> bowls/platters/whatever.
>
> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table> -
> fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> *under* the fork.

I suppose Queen Elizabeth and all residents and guests of the White House
are hillbillies.
Putting platters on the table is the servantless version of having things
passed by footmen. Kitchen plating is really only for appetiser/antipasto
courses usually and seems to restauranty to me. I can't predict what or how
much people will want, so other than composed plates and occasionally
certain pastas, platters r us, but arranged and garnished.

sf wrote:

> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> *under* the fork.
>
Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork
but rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to
move utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should
be the first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.

"Serene Vannoy" > wrote in message
...
> On 11/09/2010 01:49 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>
>> I hate having my plate made up for me
>
> I think that personal preference is certainly part of that decision-making
> process. If anyone here hated it, I might adjust. Do you hate it in
> restaurants, too?

Yes I do, which is why I prefer to use the ones which present the food in
dishes on the table and one can help oneself. I am not a big eater and if I
am presented with a full plate I can't eat.
--
--
https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Goomba > wrote in message
...
> sf wrote:
>> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
>> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
>> *under* the fork.
> Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork but
> rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to move
> utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should be the
> first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.

Hmm. The three cookbooks (Pillsbury 1963, BH&G 1959, Betty Crocker 1965,
1970) from my Sainted Mother(tm) are incorrect in their
display/illustrations and accompanying text if this is true.

The Ranger

On Nov 9, 2:30*pm, ChattyCathy > wrote:
> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> (Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.
> --
> Cheers
> Chatty Cathy

Welcome back, Chatty Cathy.

Except when I'm entertaining, we both go to the
kitchen, dish up whatever food we want onto
our plates however we like it (I prefer that my
food not be touching, so I often use a couple
of small bowls rather than one plate), take
it back to the living room, and eat it at
the coffee table while we watch TV.

When we have guests, we serve it family
style at the dining table, on the same
dishware that he and I use every day.

Cindy Hamilton

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:26:29 +0100, "Giusi" >
wrote:
>
> "sf" > ha scritto nel messaggio , "l, not -l"
> > wrote:
> >
> >> In my home, we have always served meals family-style; plates and
> >> silverware>> at each place and food self-served from
> >> bowls/platters/whatever.
> >
> > I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table> -
> > fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> > *under* the fork.
>
> I suppose Queen Elizabeth and all residents and guests of the White House
> are hillbillies.

I have no idea how they roll, nor do I care.

> Putting platters on the table is the servantless version of having things
> passed by footmen. Kitchen plating is really only for appetiser/antipasto
> courses usually and seems to restauranty to me. I can't predict what or how
> much people will want, so other than composed plates and occasionally
> certain pastas, platters r us, but arranged and garnished.
>

I prefer candles and flowers to platters of food in the middle of my
table. Food can be placed on a nearby buffet and people can get off
their behinds to serve themselves.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:23:46 -0800, "The Ranger"
> wrote:

> Goomba > wrote in message
> ...
> > sf wrote:
> >> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
> >> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> >> *under* the fork.
> > Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork but
> > rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to move
> > utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should be the
> > first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.
>
> Hmm. The three cookbooks (Pillsbury 1963, BH&G 1959, Betty Crocker 1965,
> 1970) from my Sainted Mother(tm) are incorrect in their
> display/illustrations and accompanying text if this is true.
>
Must be a Southern thing. I've never heard of it, but Emily Post says
"The napkin is folded or put in a napkin ring and placed either to the
left of the forks or on the center of the dinner plate. Sometimes, a
folded napkin is placed under the forks". She also calls this an
*informal* table setting
http://emilypost.com/component/content/article/371 Placing a napkin
under the fork is more common than old Emily thought, but she ran with
the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts so I don't think she was in touch
with commoners who weren't servants.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:50:37 -0500, Brooklyn1 wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>>
>> ChattyCathy > wrote:
>>
>>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>>
>>I'll decorate plates sometimes but it depends on the situation.
>>Sometimes I just dish it up but many times, I at least try to plate it
>>attractively for dad.
>>
>>For myself? I don't care...
>
> You don't value yourself... sad.
>
> I always do up my plate for presentation even though just me... I even
> attractively arrange my cat's fancy feast, each in their own museum
> quality bowls, my cats are high class too.

très ***.

blake

On Tue, 9 Nov 2010 16:29:53 -0800 (PST), Roy wrote:

> On Nov 9, 2:50*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>> Omelet wrote:
>>
>>> ChattyCathy > wrote:
>>
>>>>http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>>
>>>I'll decorate plates sometimes but it depends on the situation.
>>>Sometimes I just dish it up but many times, I at least try to plate it
>>>attractively for dad.
>>
>>>For myself? I don't care...
>>
>> You don't value yourself... sad.
>>
>> I always do up my plate for presentation even though just me... I even
>> attractively arrange my cat's fancy feast, each in their own museum
>> quality bowls, my cats are high class too.
>
> ==
> Do you provide "finger" bowls and napkins as well?
> ==

yes, but it's justified because he sometimes get laid afterwards.

your pal,
blake

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:23:07 -0800, sf wrote:

> On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:23:46 -0800, "The Ranger"
> > wrote:
>
>> Goomba > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> sf wrote:
>>>> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
>>>> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
>>>> *under* the fork.
>>> Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork but
>>> rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to move
>>> utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should be the
>>> first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.
>>
>> Hmm. The three cookbooks (Pillsbury 1963, BH&G 1959, Betty Crocker 1965,
>> 1970) from my Sainted Mother(tm) are incorrect in their
>> display/illustrations and accompanying text if this is true.
>>
> Must be a Southern thing. I've never heard of it, but Emily Post says
> "The napkin is folded or put in a napkin ring and placed either to the
> left of the forks or on the center of the dinner plate. Sometimes, a
> folded napkin is placed under the forks". She also calls this an
> *informal* table setting
> http://emilypost.com/component/content/article/371 Placing a napkin
> under the fork is more common than old Emily thought, but she ran with
> the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts so I don't think she was in touch
> with commoners who weren't servants.

what, then, should i do with the half-sized paper towels i most often use
for a napkin?

your pal,
blake

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:26:21 -0500, blake murphy
> wrote:

> On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:23:07 -0800, sf wrote:
>
> > On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:23:46 -0800, "The Ranger"
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> Goomba > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >>> sf wrote:
> >>>> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
> >>>> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> >>>> *under* the fork.
> >>> Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork but
> >>> rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to move
> >>> utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should be the
> >>> first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.
> >>
> >> Hmm. The three cookbooks (Pillsbury 1963, BH&G 1959, Betty Crocker 1965,
> >> 1970) from my Sainted Mother(tm) are incorrect in their
> >> display/illustrations and accompanying text if this is true.
> >>
> > Must be a Southern thing. I've never heard of it, but Emily Post says
> > "The napkin is folded or put in a napkin ring and placed either to the
> > left of the forks or on the center of the dinner plate. Sometimes, a
> > folded napkin is placed under the forks". She also calls this an
> > *informal* table setting
> > http://emilypost.com/component/content/article/371 Placing a napkin
> > under the fork is more common than old Emily thought, but she ran with
> > the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts so I don't think she was in touch
> > with commoners who weren't servants.
>
> what, then, should i do with the half-sized paper towels i most often use
> for a napkin?
>
Tuck it under your chin.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On 11/9/2010 2:30 PM, ChattyCathy wrote:
> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> (Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.

MCINL

Well, it's just me. Except when I have a dinner party.
For myself I don't usually have anything that would be
"plated". Usually it's just soup or stew, etc. When I
do make up a plate of something (I recently had bbq ribs,
mashed potatoes, collard greens, and cornbread for about
a week and a half) I just put it on the plate, never
garnish (sheesh - that's just for company!), and then
microwave.

When I do have company for dinner I rarely actually plate
anything. It's almost always family-style so the dishes
get passed around and people take what they want. Although
appetizers and 1st courses are usually plated but even when
I plan a garnish, half the time I am in a last-minute tizzy
and forget to put it on the dish. ;-) I need a personal
chef. Sigh.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

On 11/9/2010 7:05 PM, Serene Vannoy wrote:
> On 11/09/2010 01:49 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>
>> I hate having my plate made up for me
>
> I think that personal preference is certainly part of that
> decision-making process. If anyone here hated it, I might adjust. Do you
> hate it in restaurants, too?
>
> Serene

I agree with Ophelia, mostly. Well I maybe don't
*hate* it but I would prefer to make up my own plate.
I prefer to choose which and how much of each dish
I want on my plate. In restaurants if I don't want
something I ask that it be left off but in someone's
home you can't really do that. Of course in restaurants
you don't have any control over quantity but you usually
get more than enough.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:30:02 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

>http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
>(Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.

One reason I thought of this survey was an episode on the Food
network, on which the person said, after prepping the food, "Let's
plate." Just wondering if/how people plate, and how they feel about
it.
--
Best -- Terry

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:18:54 -0500, blake murphy
> wrote:

>On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:50:37 -0500, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>> Omelet wrote:
>>>
>>> ChattyCathy > wrote:
>>>
>>>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>>>
>>>I'll decorate plates sometimes but it depends on the situation.
>>>Sometimes I just dish it up but many times, I at least try to plate it
>>>attractively for dad.
>>>
>>>For myself? I don't care...
>>
>> You don't value yourself... sad.
>>
>> I always do up my plate for presentation even though just me... I even
>> attractively arrange my cat's fancy feast, each in their own museum
>> quality bowls, my cats are high class too.
>
>très ***.
>
>blake

Like you all are virgins and fixed... unlike you they ain't slobs.

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:40:04 -0800, sf > wrote:

>On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:26:21 -0500, blake murphy
> wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:23:07 -0800, sf wrote:
>>
>> > On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:23:46 -0800, "The Ranger"
>> > > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Goomba > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >>> sf wrote:
>> >>>> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
>> >>>> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
>> >>>> *under* the fork.
>> >>> Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork but
>> >>> rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to move
>> >>> utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should be the
>> >>> first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.
>> >>
>> >> Hmm. The three cookbooks (Pillsbury 1963, BH&G 1959, Betty Crocker 1965,
>> >> 1970) from my Sainted Mother(tm) are incorrect in their
>> >> display/illustrations and accompanying text if this is true.
>> >>
>> > Must be a Southern thing. I've never heard of it, but Emily Post says
>> > "The napkin is folded or put in a napkin ring and placed either to the
>> > left of the forks or on the center of the dinner plate. Sometimes, a
>> > folded napkin is placed under the forks". She also calls this an
>> > *informal* table setting
>> > http://emilypost.com/component/content/article/371 Placing a napkin
>> > under the fork is more common than old Emily thought, but she ran with
>> > the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts so I don't think she was in touch
>> > with commoners who weren't servants.
>>
>> what, then, should i do with the half-sized paper towels i most often use
>> for a napkin?
>>
>Tuck it under your chin.

Hmm... we all know the mick dines with a roll of TP.

On Tue, 9 Nov 2010 21:49:05 -0000, "Ophelia" >
arranged random neurons and said:

>I hate having my plate made up for me

I agree, Ophelia. From the time they could sit at the table, I served
the family, uh, family style. Plating someone else's food seems
presumptuous. Now, if by "plating" you also mean each person serves
his or herself from the counters buffet-style, that's another thing,
but I still wouldn't do it in my house. Just everyone sit your butts
down and stay sat down until everyone is finished with their meal. Oh,
and take our a cell phone and start texting and you'll be digging it
out of the trash can.

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd

--

"If the soup had been as warm as the wine,
if the wine had been as old as the turkey,
and if the turkey had had a breast like the maid,
it would have been a swell dinner." Duncan Hines


To reply, remove "spambot" and replace it with "cox"

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:23:46 -0800, "The Ranger"
> arranged random neurons and said:

>Goomba > wrote in message
...
>> sf wrote:
>>> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
>>> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
>>> *under* the fork.

>> Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork but
>> rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to move
>> utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should be the
>> first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.
>
>Hmm. The three cookbooks (Pillsbury 1963, BH&G 1959, Betty Crocker 1965,
>1970) from my Sainted Mother(tm) are incorrect in their
>display/illustrations and accompanying text if this is true.

Ahem. According to the 16th edition of Emily Post's _Etiquette_, page
438 under dinner settings:

"At the left of the plate, the dinner fork; at the right, the dinner
knife next to the plate, then the soup spoon or dessert spoon (if
necessary) on the outside; butter plate to the left and above the fork
with the butter knife laid on it diagonally from the upper left to the
lower right; napkin at the left of the fork; salad plate (if
necessary); coffee mug or cup and saucer with the spoon goes to the
right of the mugs."

Class dismissed.

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd

--

"If the soup had been as warm as the wine,
if the wine had been as old as the turkey,
and if the turkey had had a breast like the maid,
it would have been a swell dinner." Duncan Hines


To reply, remove "spambot" and replace it with "cox"

On 11/9/2010 2:24 PM, sf wrote:
> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> *under* the fork. I always plate food in the kitchen and do *not* put
> serving dishes on the table. I always feel like I'm one of the
> Beverly Hillbillies sitting at the fancy green eatin' table when that
> happens. If my family wants more, they can always get up and get
> seconds from the kitchen - where the food is still warm, not stone
> cold sitting in a serving dish on the table.

George thinks the napkin goes on the right, but I keep telling him the
napkin goes on the left. When it is time to eat, he moves his over to
the right, which is fine with me, but when I set the table, it goes on
the left.

My mother became a full time alcoholic when I was 11yo, but before she
started drinking, she drilled us on Emily Post's table settings. When
we set the table, it had to be correct or else we would hear about it.

Terry wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:30:02 +0200, ChattyCathy
> > wrote:
>
>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>>
>> (Belated) thanks go to Terry (Pr'fesser) for this survey.
>
> One reason I thought of this survey was an episode on the Food
> network, on which the person said, after prepping the food, "Let's
> plate." Just wondering if/how people plate, and how they feel about
> it.
> --
> Best -- Terry


I don't usually plate at home. If there are 2 or 4 of us especially, I
serve things family style. If more, often buffet style.

Why? Because over the years it has felt to me that people who bring
plates from the kitchen already arranged are in effect saying "I don't
have an abundance of this, and here's your share."

I come from a culture where food is abundant and people are encouraged
to eat their fill. How do you gauge people's appetites when you are
plating? Too much, too little? How do you know?

gloria p

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:42:08 -0600, Omelet >
wrote:

> Most restaurants roll the flatware into a napkin and set it to the right
> of the plate.

Which is a horrible practice that makes me feel like I'm eating at
KFC.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:34:01 -0600, Ema Nymton >
wrote:

> George thinks the napkin goes on the right, but I keep telling him the
> napkin goes on the left.

Is he left handed or right handed? I've noticed Lefties often do
things backwards.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

Omelet wrote:
The
> knife and spoon are placed on the folded napkin.

No, not traditionally at all. One should not have to pick through the
silverware to get to the napkin. If your mother taught you that it was
only because she didn't know better or chose to make up some new rules.
>
> Most restaurants roll the flatware into a napkin and set it to the right
> of the plate.

Not fine restaurants, but casual bar type places like Chili's.