In my family, we never ate any meat, fowl, or fish without a condiment. Mint jelly, mustard, cranberry sauce, tartar sauce, horseradish, ketchup. I saw naked meat for the first time when I went off to college.
NPR last night at 7:30 showed “The Gefilte Fish Chronicles.” Deserves an Oscar for short documentary. Everyone shouting at once (More salt, NO-less salt) and the ancient fish grinder breaks down. After another shouting match they buy a new one and can’t figure out how to assemble it. (Meanwhile, all manicures and hairdos are impeccable.) There was also dueling Cholent; one in the oven and the other on stove top.
Sisters Sophie Patasnik, Peppy Barer and Rosie Groman spend six weeks preparing for a seder meal made from scratch, with a menu that includes gefilte fish, cholent, horseradish and sponge cake.