What? no condiments !

jackomdj

I haven't read through all the replies, but if it was me I would just ask the next time I am there. If you are told they don't have any I would just say "do you mind if I bring my own next time, as I do like a bit of Salt/pepper added to my food". Problem sorted!

Pollycat

thorsoak wrote: »

Personally I would feel extremely offended; I carefully season the food that I cook and serve up with love to family and friends - and one of the things that really irritate me is people who liberally shake salt and pepper over everything before even tasting.

I wouldn't go so far as saying I'd be offended but I can't understand why somebody would put salt on food before tasting.

How do you know that the cook hasn't already been too liberal with the salt?
I think it's just a reflex action and most people don't even realise they're doing it.

As for the OP, I'd ask if they had condiments and if the answer was 'no', next time I was invited, I'd just ask if they minded me bringing my own.

I can't see why it would be such a big deal.

bluebeary

i tend not to use condiments or actually have any in the cupboards, I'm sure if you asked your hosts they would be happy to oblige in either buying some or you bringing your own

Snakey

I would ask first, but I don't think you can assume as some people have suggested that "of course" they're going to have a cupboard/fridge full of all sorts of things that they never use themselves. They may well not have any salt in the house. I don't have any.

To be honest, I think I'd just eat the food and compliment the chef. That's the downside of being invited to other people's houses for food - you eat whatever is put in front of you, regardless of whether it's something you'd have chosen or even whether you particularly like it or not, and you say it was lovely. Is it really so appalling that you can't force it down even to be polite? How often do you go round there?

If you really can't stomach it, then yes, ask. And if they don't have any, the next time you're invited have a quiet word before you come round to ask whether they'd be offended if you bought your own.

I'm sure it will be fine, provided you phrase it in a way that makes it clear that you always have to add salt to everything, rather than it being specifically their cooking. Don't even mention "...because you do this low-salt thing, and..." at all. You might find that they'll say that they know their food is a bit bland and that they miss the days when they were able to add salt, but that's something that should come from them and not from you.

Out of interest, what do you cook for them when they come round to yours?

I also can't believe that people are suggesting that you buy somebody a present consisting of things that you love but they can't stand! Maybe I should try that:

"Oh, I've bought you a multipack of Diet Coke for Christmas, I know you don't drink it but I like it and I'm fed up with only ever being offered cups of tea at your place, so I thought that the next six times I come round I can have a can each time and that'll be nice for you, won't it, to watch me enjoy them! Now, what have you bought me?"

I can just visualise the outraged thread on here from the recipient of a posh salt cellar who has a medical condition meaning that they can't have salt.

kerri_gt

LilElvis wrote: »

It's enough of a pain when I make batches of Harissa and his hot sauce consumption is too ridiculous for me to attempt it. Just wish people would stop buying the really daft sauces for him as gifts. The kitchen cupboards are full of the sort that would melt plastic let alone what they do to your insides.

Ps - I like squidging a few roasted garlic cloves in my mashed potato.

Send them round to us, my OH loves things like that, currnetly have a jar of super hot habanero sauce he uses like ketchup. :eek:

Goldiegirl

Snakey wrote: »

I can just visualise the outraged thread on here from the recipient of a posh salt cellar who has a medical condition meaning that they can't have salt.

Well, as the owner of a medical condition that means I can only have the barest minimum of salt, I think I can answer that one.


'Outraged' is putting it a bit strong


But I would be a little bit sad if someone bought me a posh salt cellar as a present. (For a person to buy me a present it assumes a close relationship with me)


Firstly, I already own a posh salt mill, that I put on the table for others to use


Secondly, it'd imply that they hadn't put any thought at all into a suitable present for me, which would be sad.


But I couldn't be bothered to get 'outraged' about it. I'd just flog it on eBay, and use the proceeds to buy something that I'd like.


As I said earlier in this thread, there's no need for salt free food to be dull, as there's loads of herbs and spices that can be used to add interest to the food.. That's why I suggested, in a tongue in cheek way, that a spice rack might be a suitable present, not a salt cellar.


With all this talk about offending people over food, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm inadvertently offending people mentioning my food needs before I go to their house for a meal. I went to a friends house for a meal couple of months ago, and she was doing tuna lasagne. She did a separate one for me, with no cheese and no salt added. I was very grateful for this, and it was delicious. But it works both ways, she doesn't eat meat, so I don't serve her meat when she visits us.


I like to think that my friends are happy help me stay healthy, rather than be offended by my needs.


If anybody indicated they were offended, I wouldn't go round their house, and risk losing their friendship. Unfortunately that would be preferable to risking having vertigo in the short term and risk losing my hearing and destroying the balance function in my ear, in the long term

DUKE

My sis never puts salt on anything but I can take it or leave it as I prefer pepper. However, my husband doesn't like his food without salt, in fact he's a real shaker, & his blood pressure's spot on every time. But if he asks for some salt she becomes the salt police & comments on how bad it is for him ....

Couldn't you just eat at home?

I usually ask if people want condiments in my house, & I'd be glad that someone had bought their own if I hadn't got any. Although people do, we can't really force our beliefs on everyone else, because what's good for one, ain't good for another

Threebabes

Depends on whos house. I would not be offended if someone brought their condiment along.

VestanPance

Can we please be clear on the fact that salt isn't bad for you. Too much salt is bad for you. Those are two very different scenarios.

In fact lack of salt in your diet can be dangerous in certain situations.

gayleygoo

My OH's family seem to never put salt or pepper on the table, though it does tend to be in the food. I don't complain either way, as the food is yummy without it. With the exception of chips, which there's no point in eating without plenty of salt!

I also seem to be the only weirdo who takes sugar in tea and not everyone has it in their house these days. That would bother me a lot more than lack of salt or sauce!

OP if you just ask your guests, "sorry, but have you any salt?", then hopefully they do. If not, then just take your own in future or do without for the occasional meal