Eat like a European
Europeans have a distinctly romantic and traditional way of indulging in meals. We love it. Here are 7 customs we noticed during our travels to Europe that we think you’ll love.
1. share
“Family Style,” is a phrase that gets tossed around a lot these days at trendy restaurants. The name comes from home cooked family meals, where it’s easier and less formal just to pass around large plates of food. We love how it creates an active energy at the dinner table – the more negotiation about moving this or that, the more rapidly a group of strangers become friends.
2. Open as Much Wine that’s Required
This probably comes as no surprise: open plenty of wine. A few glasses of wine is a necessary dinner accompaniment in most European countries. It helps conversation, and introduces another sensory experience to indulge in.
3. Embrace the Seasons, Your Garden
Europeans embrace seasonality fully. If you’ve ever visited France in the wintertime, it’s hard to ignore - vegetables aren’t being harvested, so, vegetables barely make it to the table. A global supply chain has made eating just about anything possible at any time of the year, but try your best to use foods when they’re in season locally, or better yet, out of your own garden!
4. Always Have Cold Cuts and Cheese
It’s hard to recall a European meal that didn’t begin with charcuterie, cheese, and sometimes terrines and mouses. For the busy cook in the kitchen, it’s a saving grace, filling all the hungry maws that didn’t have enough to eat at lunch. Plus, all of this salty finger food is fun to eat, and the wine flows just a bit faster too.
5. A Proper Meal has Many Stages,
A meal that moves elegantly from course to course is its own special treat. Begin the meal with sparkling wine or maybe a white – anything bright and acidic that whets everyone's appetites and gets tummies rumbling. Then, it’s time for apps like charcuterie and dips, enjoyed with slightly richer wines (think rosé or light reds). As your guests sit for dinner, announce your dishes and put out a few bottles of red and whites to enjoy with the meal.
There are few things in the world more satisfying than a four hour dinner with friends.
6. Invite lots of people
Europeans love big dinners. Large gatherings have a certain spirit that makes you feel part of historic human traditions of shared meals. Oftentimes, the best gatherings are a mix of intimately acquainted guests with friends you may not know as well. You’ll feel part of a tiny, joyful community, even if just for an evening.
7. It Takes a Village
The energy at these big dinners can often feel familial. Whether you're the host or a guest, the amount of work can be intimidating – cooking, setting, cleaning. The European solution: everyone pitches in. And if you’re the host, don’t be shy. You can proudly announce, “So, who’s gonna help clean up?,” after the coffee’s served.
