In his book Chrám i tvrz (A Cathedral And A Fortress), Pavel Eisner a famous Czech writer and translator writes about Czech food as one of the blandest and least healthy of all. In this it is rivaled probably only by the Ukrainian and Polish cuisines. Curiously, as Eisner himself noted, Czechs hold a misguided pride in their food. They are especially proud of a Czech specialty knedlík which is basically boiled bread dough typically served with a healthy (sic!) serving of fatty pork and sauerkraut. Typical Czech meal contains meat and knedlík or potatoes. Vegetables, if present at all, are boiled. Some claim this is done to ensure total absence of vitamins, and if possible, flavor. Salad's in Czech cuisine contain a lot of mayonnaise, cheese, salami and sometimes no vegetables at all. Lettuce is a seasonal vegetable and is not used in salads outside of the summer.
Czech typical selection of spices consists of salt, ground black or red pepper. Other popular spices are dill, caraway, marjory or thyme. Another popular condiment applied liberally with many items on the table is ketchup. It is common to see pizzerias offering ketchup.
Some foreigners may be surprised that even sweet foods (for example pancakes) are served as the main course at a lunch or dinner.
The bottom line is that Czech food takes some getting used to. But there are many who do begin to like it and discover possible intricacies, especially if they get to sample the output of a genuine grandmother.
Vegetarians may find it difficult to eat well unless they cook for themselves. Many restaurants advertise ‘meatless' meals which may, however, contain ham (šunka) or be made with lard (sádlo).
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Jídelní lístek Menu Polévky Soups Slepičí polévka......................................... 25.00........................................ Chicken Soup Hovězí vývar............................................ 20.00..................................... Beef broth Bramborová polévka................................ 15.00...................................... Potato Soup Hotová jídla Main courses Kuře, brambor, salát................................ 45.00.......................... Chicken, potatoes, salad Vepřové maso, zelí, knedlík...................... 75.00........................... Pork, sour kraut,dumplings Rybí filé, hranolky, obloha....................... 38.00................. Fish filet, french fries, garnish Hovězí guláš, rýže..................................... 49.00.......................... Beef goulash, rice Bezmasá jídla ‘Meatless dishes’ Smažený sýr, tatarská omáčka................. 39.00........................ Fried cheese, tartar sauce Palačinka se šlehačkou............................ 25.00............... Pancake with whipped creeam Špagety se sýrem................................... 32.00........................ Spagetti with cheese Nápoje Drinks Káva............................................... 18.00........................................ Coffee Džus............................................... 20.00......................................... Juice Víno................................................. 25.00........................................ Wine Pivo................................................ 17.80...........................................Beer Minerálka..........................................15.00.................................. Mineral water
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