What? no condiments !

Diamond_Orchid

I'd just ask them if they have any salt and pepper.

Because you've never mentioned it before they may be surprised, but just explain you like food a little saltier or peppery.

ineed

onlyroz wrote: »

I don't see a problem with asking for it. On my first visit for a meal with my in laws I asked if they had any mint sauce. They looked at me as if I was crazy, because they were having chicken, but they got it out for me and then proceeded to add it to theor own meal, at which point they agreed that it was nice. And then after that they always brought it out for me, and it became a bit of a standing joke where they would tell me I was weird but proceed to have it themselves.

I'm really glad I'm not the only one who does this, I love mint sauce on every roast dinner :T.

I always put the salt and pepper mills out on the dinner table anyway even though I often don't add much or any to certain meals as they're already seasoned to my liking. I like to take care of my guests and wouldn't be offended or fazed by any request for other condiments, the important thing is people enjoy themselves.

Pollycat

Primrose wrote: »

How do you politely get over the problem of eating regularly at somebody's house when they never put any condiments on the table? One of the married partners has blood pressure problems so understandably they never ever put any salt in their food but the meals are so dull without any seasoning I find them really difficult to eat. Would it be terribly rude to take my own condiments? Could you ever do it without offending ?

I'm surprised the OP's not been back to comment further on the replies.
I do think it odd that she 'eats regularly' at this house so must know the people quite well but seems to find herself in a dilemma about broaching the subect of additional salt.

LilElvis wrote: »

Probably not a good idea - they make habenero sauces look like water. More in the realm of "world's hottest" with reference to Scoville scale of heat. To be used by adding a droplet with the end of a cocktail stick. "Suicide" and "Death" seem to feature in a lot of the names.

Has he tried the Komodo Dragon chillies?
Measures 1.4 million Scoville units. :eek:

kerri_gt

LilElvis wrote: »

Probably not a good idea - they make habenero sauces look like water. More in the realm of "world's hottest" with reference to Scoville scale of heat. To be used by adding a droplet with the end of a cocktail stick. "Suicide" and "Death" seem to feature in a lot of the names.

Oh he'd love those - the hotter the better. :eek:

vic_sf49

I'd just ask if they have any, and if they didn't and you eat there a lot, take your own.

I don't put salt and pepper in any food I cook, and I rarely get condiments out - it just doesn't occur to me to do that. If people want it they just ask if I have any salt / pepper / HP / salad cream etc, it's how it works in every household I know. And in most of those you don't ask, you just get up and help yourself.

I think I have salt and pepper in the cupboard, but I don't know how old it is so eat it at your own risk.

pickledonionspaceraider

I don't use salt whilst cooking, but put it out on the table so folk can season to their own taste

If I had forgotten to put salt out, I would in no way be offended that someone asked for it - I want them to enjoy the meal

TBagpuss

Just ask.
Not everyone will have every condiment, but most people will have salt and pepper in the house and I can't imagine anyone being offended to be asked "Do you have any salt, please?"

I almost never put salt into things when I am cooking, and very rarely add it to my own food at the table - I normally remember toput the salt out when I have people round and certainly would not be ofended to be asked, if I overlooked it.

With things other than salt and pepper I think it is slightly more difficult, as not everyone will have everything, and they may be embarrased by the implied criticism if you don't have what they want, but I think if you know someone well enough to eat at their home on a regular basis you probably know them well enough to be able to ask if they have any mustard, for instance, and not to fall out or wind up with either party embarrassed if the answer is 'no'.

WestonDave

Have to admit it wouldn't occur to me now to put salt and pepper out because we never use it at meal times (occasionally put something in whilst cooking). I recall as a kid any pan of veg getting a tablespoon or two of salt added which seemed normal then. However after my Dad's mother died suddenly of a heart attack salt was abruptly removed from the cooking and now if someone salts veg in cooking its horrible to me. I don't mind a bit of black pepper but as my son hates it we tend not to use that either.


However if someone wanted it then I wouldn't think it abnormal to ask - would just laugh and say we are rubbish hosts who don't put it out because we never think about it.

pollyanna24

I used to use quite a bit of salt, but since having my kids, I don't put it on the table as if it's there, they'll use it, if it's not, they forget about it.

Having said that, I do still occassionally use it if something is a bit bland, and that's when the kids jump on it too.

We keep them in the spice rack, so they are there, they just don't sit on the kitchen table all day long.

CathA

I have tomato sauce on practically everything, no-one bats an eyelid if I ask for it. My ex husband has vinegar on everything, again no one worries.

We don't salt any food but we've had people here for dinner who've asked for salt or pepper so we just get it out, no problems.

OP just ask them if they have any. If they don't, then ask if they would mind if you bought your own next time, I'm sure they won't mind.