The Urban Foodie: Tchotschke

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Table Tchotschke

The word 'tchotschke' is definately in my word hall of fame. As I have an utter fondness for crap, in particular silly objects (that happen to litter most of my home) that I collect from markets or mad places from around the world - so, as you can imagine I was thrilled to find out that this 'stuff' has a proper name. As it also happens to be one of those words that sounds funny even if you don't know what it means, I was instantly inspired to drop it into conversation whenever I could. So, our table tchotschke for this Thanksgiving was going to be on the theme of black and white. I know, not the most novel, and a bit 1980's - but nonetheless a theme very close to my heart. The candles were black and white, as were the flowers (well sort of..) - and at each place setting were black(ish) beetroots, and pale butternut squash, each skewered with a rather stunning porcupine quill, with name place cards from Smythson. I wouldn't go as far as having black and white food, but it's certainly worth having a play to make the table look a million. Here's our attempt..

MUSINGS AND QUOTES ON FOOD

"My weaknesses have always been food and men, in that order."

Dolly Parton

"Fish, to taste right, must swim three times - in water, in butter, and in wine."

Polish Proverb

"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."

P.J. O'Rourke

"An empty belly is the best cook."

Estonian Proverb

"A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch."

James Beard

"The smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls, ready to remind us...."
Marcel Proust

"When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray, with a cup of fragrant tea steaming on it; and a plate piled up with very hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in it in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb. The smell of that buttered toast simply talked to Toad, and with no uncertain voice; talked of warm kitchens, of breakfasts on bright frosty mornings, of cosy parlour firesides on winter evenings, when one's ramble was over and slippered feet were propped on the fender, of the purring of contented cats, and the twitter of sleepy canaries."
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

"People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it is safer to harrass rich women than motorcycle gangs."
Unknown

"Scallops are expensive, so they should be treated with some class. But then, I suppose that every creature that gives his life for our table should be treated with class."
Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet

"Never eat more than you can lift.."
Miss Piggy, Diva.

"The squid is so cooperative. Its body forms a tube that can be stuffed with marvelous fillings. You don't have to be Greek to enjoy this one. "
Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet

"The joys of the table belong equally to all ages, conditions, countries and times; they mix with all other pleasures, and remain the last to console us for their loss."
Jean Antheleme Brillet-Savarin, The Physiology of Taste