Comments on: Kiss My Ciabatta

By: MyKitchenInHalfCups

MyKitchenInHalfCups — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:20:06 +0000

I do believe that is the nail on the head you’ve hit!! Excellent.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:56:58 +0000

fine words – I have a post in the pipeline where I was ruminating on whether name of recipes should entertain or enlighten – I really like an entertaining name but I agree with you that it is best when it gives some clues as to what it is about. And as a vegetarian, I am aware that many purists would be horrified at some of the names I have given my dishes – but I am always delighted to find a name that is a vegetarian take on a traditional – one of my favourites is chilli non carne but I was delighted to find a veg recipe for Shamburgers recently too.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:37:46 +0000

I was thinking the same thing when I made my ciabatta with kamut recently too! The ciabatta was no more ciabatta as it had kamut, and I was about to call it rustic kamut bread. As the bread was based on a ciabatta recipe, so I decided to keep the name at lest. I believe people should understand it: “a bread looks like ciabatta but with kamut in it”! The word “ciabatta” is descriptive in this way : )

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:09:05 +0000

This post made quite happy. I actually stopped reading a particular popular blog after the writer scathingly went off on calling a particular dish by its traditional name when it was made un-traditionally. It was just so… arrogant, I guess. I never got past it. Good for you for speaking up. I will say though when I am paying for food the name or the description should indicate the dish is made un-traditionally.

By: BackBou

BackBou — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:03:11 +0000

Agreed — I only recoil when the moniker is self contradicting. I once got a request for a “blackened stir fry” — which , last I checked, were different styles of cooking. I think the requestor wanted cajun seasoning in his stir fry but still…

By: bakinghistory

bakinghistory — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:17:54 +0000

I agree with you and also liked the way you made your point.
As for the sourdough ciabatta rolls I think that if you had named them “rustic sourdough rolls” my first thought after seeing their pictures would have been: “sourdough rolls…they look like (small) ciabatta, though”.
In other words, the way they look clearly evokes ciabatta bread, while the name “rustic rolls” is generic and vague and–in my opinion–could be applicable to many different kinds and shapes of small breads.
So sourdough ciabatta rolls is the right way to name them.

By: Lien

Lien — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:53:56 +0000

I love how you express yourself, so to the point and very recognisable! A very good read. this use of words and communicating is just what a growing and alive language is all about, as long as we understand each other!!

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:33:19 +0000

Good read Susan, and thanks for the Sourdough Ciabitta Rolls.

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:08:51 +0000

I am in total agreement, food term snobbery really winds me up! The snobs should realise that the English language is free for all to use as they wish. They need to find something more important to worry about.

By: HoneyB

HoneyB — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:00:49 +0000

I made it to the end! ha ha. Anyway, I agree. There is nothing that irritates me more than a snob.

Definition of snob: one who THINKS they know it all!