What's Your Favorite Condiment?

Growing up, I LOVED to completely cover my food in ketchup and mush it all together on my plate. My mother was always horrified and tried to convince me to use less. She'd prepare the most beautiful dishes, often using her homegrown vegetables, serve them in amazing dishes, set the table with love, and all I cared about was making an ugly mess on my plate. My parents always complained that I could never taste the food and that it all must taste the same. And they were right. During the height of my ketchup love, everything tasted like ketchup. And I loved it! I guess I didn't necessarily want to taste the organic Brussels sprouts, green beans, pumpkins, zucchini, and potatoes... All I cared about was ketchup. And lots of it.

Over the years, my love for ketchup has lessened a bit, and I've realized that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing... Plus, tasting the vegetables is actually a good thing! I still buy ketchup, but I make sure that the ketchup I buy is organic and has as few ingredients (that I can pronounce) as possible.

Recently, we introduced some ketchup to the toddler when we had baked sweet potato fries. Well, actually, I wasn't too eager to introduce the ketchup to him, but he saw the teenager eat it, so naturally he wanted some too...

I guess you can say he liked it...

In addition to ketchup, there are many other condiments that I enjoy these days. But lately I am much more selective and make sure that any condiment truly adds something to my dish. Here are some of my favorite condiments:

• Mustard (Dijon, sweet, garlic, coarse....)
• Wasabi mayonnaise - a little goes a long way
• Sriracha - I love adding a bit of spiciness to my food
• Relish (I used to not like relish, but I have come to love a good relish)
• Gochujang (a Korean red pepper paste) - I love adding a bit to my rice & noodle dishes...
• Tapatio hot sauce - so good with burritos, quesadillas, eggs

Questions: What's your favorite condiment? What do you like to eat it with most?

I hope you are enjoying your weekend! :o)

Be well,
Andrea