msliz
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The Procrastinator
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Apr 8, 2016 20:33:46 GMT
DH and I have been invited to dinner at a colleague's house this evening, and he mentioned that he'll be serving Cornish hens. I've never eaten one in polite company. Is this a knife and fork dealie (as we're making a point to not embarrass ourselves,) or is it finger food? Seriously, this broad has no class. Can't take me anywhere.   |
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Post by chaosisapony on Apr 8, 2016 20:39:59 GMT
No idea. This is one of those situations where I'd take a few bites of side dishes while I watching what everyone else is doing first.
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Deleted
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May 6, 2024 4:33:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 20:40:28 GMT
The times I've had them, they were stuffed with a rice dressing, and I used a knife and fork. My mom made the best rice/seasoning/red wine stuffing ever. If I'm ever not sure, I do what the host does. Enjoy the dinner!
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michellegb
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: New England and loving it!
Jun 26, 2014 0:04:59 GMT
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Post by michellegb on Apr 8, 2016 20:40:35 GMT
No idea. This is one of those situations where I'd take a few bites of side dishes while I watching what everyone else is doing first.  |
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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 8, 2016 20:40:52 GMT
Think of it as a mini roast chicken that you eat all by yourself. You'll want a knife and fork. Do remember to drink your tea w/pinkie outstreched.
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Post by cmhs on Apr 8, 2016 20:41:15 GMT
I've always used a knife and fork for Cornish hens which, by the way, I loved as a kid. I recently served them to my kids and they were so disturbed by the "little chickens" on their plates, they hardly touched them.
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Post by disneypal on Apr 8, 2016 20:43:59 GMT
I would watch to see how the host eats it and then I would do the same.
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
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Post by georgiapea on Apr 8, 2016 20:44:25 GMT
I would have to delay that part of the meal until other people started eating that bird. If somehow that doesn't work, use a knife and fork.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Apr 8, 2016 20:48:57 GMT
Think of it as a mini roast chicken that you eat all by yourself. You'll want a knife and fork. Do remember to drink your tea w/pinkie outstreched. As Patrick Starr says, "when in doubt, pinkie out!" Thanks all. I'll start off with knife and fork and see if anyone else gets going with the fingers after the first 4 bites. (I really wish I had a jazz hands emogee. I think it would be quite fitting.)  |
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Post by melodyesch on Apr 8, 2016 20:49:23 GMT
If it's a full cornish hen, you're probably going to need a knife and fork to slice the breasts off. So I'd work on that first. Then if the host/hostess picked theirs up to gnaw at the legs and wings I'd follow suit.  |
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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 8, 2016 20:59:22 GMT
My mother makes cornish hens from time to time. We usually all start out using appropriate cutlery, but after a bit of time our uncouth redneck comes out and it is all picking it up the smaller parts and gnawing on the legs like a bunch of pretentious cavemen. So maybe don't listen to me. Or just slice off the parts you can then with your pinky outstretched push your plate away and in your best imitation of Scarlet O'Hara declare you can not possibly eat another bite. Unless there is chocolate cake, then you are allowed to accept a plate and nibble with tiny little bites until it is all gone and say something like you can't believe you ate all that but it was so good you just lost all ability to control yourself. Really, as long as you don't belch or let loose with flatulence that rattles the pictures on the wall, you will do just fine. |
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Post by librarylady on Apr 8, 2016 21:15:50 GMT
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 8, 2016 21:22:40 GMT
I've always used a knife and fork for Cornish hens which, by the way, I loved as a kid. I recently served them to my kids and they were so disturbed by the "little chickens" on their plates, they hardly touched them. I served them once years ago (Costco sells a 4-pack) and my dd, who was young then, refused to eat "the baby chickens". oy. |
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Post by NanaKate on Apr 8, 2016 21:56:55 GMT
Knife and fork...
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Post by maryland on Apr 8, 2016 21:57:26 GMT
I would think you would need to use a fork and knife, even in a casual setting. But I don't like messy hands (and licking fingers grosses me out more than anything . So I pretty much always use a knife and fork if I am eating anything "messy". I am weird!! |
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johnnysmom
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 8, 2016 22:02:32 GMT
I would think you would need to use a fork and knife, even in a casual setting. But I don't like messy hands (and licking fingers grosses me out more than anything . So I pretty much always use a knife and fork if I am eating anything "messy". I am weird!! Ditto. I eat ribs with a fork, I almost never eat chicken wings and only eat corn on the cob at home. Aside from appetizers, sandwiches and fries I eat almost everything (especially out) with a fork. |
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 8, 2016 22:35:46 GMT
Knife and fork.
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Post by maryland on Apr 8, 2016 23:27:08 GMT
I would think you would need to use a fork and knife, even in a casual setting. But I don't like messy hands (and licking fingers grosses me out more than anything . So I pretty much always use a knife and fork if I am eating anything "messy". I am weird!! Ditto. I eat ribs with a fork, I almost never eat chicken wings and only eat corn on the cob at home. Aside from appetizers, sandwiches and fries I eat almost everything (especially out) with a fork. I would have a hard time going with anyone to a wings place because the finger licking would make me insane!  I always cut my corn off the cob. I think you and I could go out to lunch and have a great time eating with our forks and knives! |
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Deleted
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May 6, 2024 4:33:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 23:32:21 GMT
I would think you would need to use a fork and knife, even in a casual setting. But I don't like messy hands (and licking fingers grosses me out more than anything . So I pretty much always use a knife and fork if I am eating anything "messy". I am weird!! Ditto. I eat ribs with a fork, I almost never eat chicken wings and only eat corn on the cob at home. Aside from appetizers, sandwiches and fries I eat almost everything (especially out) with a fork. Lol, my friends tease me on a regular basis that I eat pizza with a fork and knife. I don't like dirty fingers when I eat. Wings are a nightmare, but I still love them though. |
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YooHoot
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Post by YooHoot on Apr 8, 2016 23:44:23 GMT
I've always used a knife and fork for Cornish hens which, by the way, I loved as a kid. I recently served them to my kids and they were so disturbed by the "little chickens" on their plates, they hardly touched them. I served them once years ago (Costco sells a 4-pack) and my dd, who was young then, refused to eat "the baby chickens". oy. I really wanted to stuff a turkey with one and mess with my kids that the turkey was pregnant. |
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Grom Pea
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Post by Grom Pea on Apr 8, 2016 23:44:53 GMT
Think of it as a mini roast chicken that you eat all by yourself. You'll want a knife and fork. Do remember to drink your tea w/pinkie outstreched. I agree on the game hen but technically you don't stick out your pinkie whilst drinking tea, the sign of proper tea drinking is to hold the handle with 3 fingers only, which is probably where the misconception that you need to stick your pinky finger out came from. Tea cups are so tiny that I think it'd be near impossible to use all five fingers anyway. I found this out when I was looking up how to host a tea :-) |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 8, 2016 23:47:19 GMT
Do remember to drink your tea w/pinkie outstreched. I sincerely hope this is tongue-in-cheek. Never do that. It is an affectation used to indicate good manners which actually is a tell that the person is tying way too hard. Cornish hens typically would call for a knife and fork. Any time one is in doubt, simply follow the lead of the hostess (or host). No one should pick up their utensils anyway until the hostess is seated and indicates that it's okay to begin by raising hers. It's perfectly acceptable to make a little small talk with one of your dinner partners to buy yourself some time to observe how a particular food is to be eaten. |
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Grom Pea
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Post by Grom Pea on Apr 8, 2016 23:48:28 GMT
I would think you would need to use a fork and knife, even in a casual setting. But I don't like messy hands (and licking fingers grosses me out more than anything . So I pretty much always use a knife and fork if I am eating anything "messy". I am weird!! Ditto. I eat ribs with a fork, I almost never eat chicken wings and only eat corn on the cob at home. Aside from appetizers, sandwiches and fries I eat almost everything (especially out) with a fork. reminds me of Seinfeld m.youtube.com/watch?v=UxB-H6f3crY |
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Apr 9, 2016 3:21:53 GMT
Well, we had a lovely evening. Good food and even better company. The hens were sectioned prior to cooking, so it made it much easier to cut (yes, I used my knife and fork) and it made it easier for those of us who wanted less than a whole bird (like the hostess) and those of us who wanted a bit more (like the host.) He was still picking at them at the end of the meal, and it was around this time that he started using his fingers, but I was too full by then to join him! Fun night. Nice people.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Apr 9, 2016 3:54:45 GMT
ALWAYS use utensils!!!
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Post by mom on Apr 9, 2016 4:16:37 GMT
Well, we had a lovely evening. Good food and even better company. The hens were sectioned prior to cooking, so it made it much easier to cut (yes, I used my knife and fork) and it made it easier for those of us who wanted less than a whole bird (like the hostess) and those of us who wanted a bit more (like the host.) He was still picking at them at the end of the meal, and it was around this time that he started using his fingers, but I was too full by then to join him! Fun night. Nice people. Im late to the party, but wanted to say Im glad you had a great time! Your OP made me giggle  |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 9, 2016 11:15:28 GMT
Well, we had a lovely evening. Good food and even better company. The hens were sectioned prior to cooking, so it made it much easier to cut (yes, I used my knife and fork) and it made it easier for those of us who wanted less than a whole bird (like the hostess) and those of us who wanted a bit more (like the host.) He was still picking at them at the end of the meal, and it was around this time that he started using his fingers, but I was too full by then to join him! Fun night. Nice people. It sounds like a wonderful evening. We are having a contractor my husband works with and his wife for dinner tonight. I have never met her and only spoken with him briefly. I hope they leave our home saying the same nice things that you are. |
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ripleysmine
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Post by ripleysmine on Apr 9, 2016 15:37:17 GMT
I served them once years ago (Costco sells a 4-pack) and my dd, who was young then, refused to eat "the baby chickens". oy. I really wanted to stuff a turkey with one and mess with my kids that the turkey was pregnant.
People around me think I'm crazy now, cause I laughed out loud at this! LOL!
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Post by genny on Apr 9, 2016 15:50:14 GMT
LOL something similar happened to me last night. We played in a golf tournament at my sisters country club last night, dinner was served after. They had ribs. Before I started eating I quietly asked DH how in the hell are you supposed to eat ribs at a country club politely? BIL heard me and said 'you pick em up and eat em!'. Whew, ok good because I didn't want to try to eat ribs with a fork and knife. I proceed to start eating my ribs (delicious BTW and haven't had ribs in forever) and BIL and everyone else who chose ribs from the buffet started eating their ribs with a fork and knife.  BIL was just laughing at me (jackass). I felt pretty low class, but decided what the hell and finished my ribs off by licking my fingers LOL. I may not get invited back! |
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Deleted
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May 6, 2024 4:33:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2016 16:49:22 GMT
LOL something similar happened to me last night. We played in a golf tournament at my sisters country club last night, dinner was served after. They had ribs. Before I started eating I quietly asked DH how in the hell are you supposed to eat ribs at a country club politely? BIL heard me and said 'you pick em up and eat em!'. Whew, ok good because I didn't want to try to eat ribs with a fork and knife. I proceed to start eating my ribs (delicious BTW and haven't had ribs in forever) and BIL and everyone else who chose ribs from the buffet started eating their ribs with a fork and knife. BIL was just laughing at me (jackass). I felt pretty low class, but decided what the hell and finished my ribs off by licking my fingers LOL. I may not get invited back! The only low class person there was your BIL. Trying to embarrass someone is the worst etiquette breach of all. PS I would have picked them up, too. |
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I always cut my corn off the cob. I think you and I could go out to lunch and have a great time eating with our forks and knives!
BIL was just laughing at me (jackass). I felt pretty low class, but decided what the hell and finished my ribs off by licking my fingers LOL. I may not get invited back!