Dear ladies, gentlemen and children, there is a time when you can release yourself from using cutleries. Some foods are meant to be eaten with your fingers. The question is do you know what they are?
Which ones should be eaten with fingers?
General rules
Generally speaking the more formal the meal and setting, the less inclined you should be to eat with the utensils you were born with. When in doubt should you or shouldn’t use utensils look at your fellow diners or at the host/ess, if they use cutlery you do the same.
Caviar
If you really want to taste caviar by itself you’re supposed to eat it off the back of your hand, between your index finger and thumb.
Shrimp
If served as a shrimp cocktail, and there is an oyster fork use that one or any other small fork. If the shrimp are bigger than one bite’s worth, just spear each shrimp with your fork and cut it on the plate on which it’s served.
Shrimp served as hors d’ oeuvres are eaten with the fingers. Hold a shrimp by the tail and dip it into cocktail sauce, just be sure not to double dip.
Artichoke
When served as an appetizer pull the leaves on top with fingers and then dip it in the sauce. After placing it in your mouth scrape the edible part off with your top teeth. Inedible parts of leaves placed on the plate or bowl which is meant for discarding.
Fruit
A fruit cocktail even if the fruit is uncooked should be eaten with utensils. However, whole raw pieces of fruit are supposed to be eaten with fingers.
Asparagus
When asparagus stalks are firm and aren’t sauced like on the picture, it’s fine to pick them up with your fingers, one stalk at a time. Otherwise, use utensils.
Corn on the cob
Finger food that will be served only at informal meals.The cob is held by the ends with the fingers. Large cobs are easier to eat when cutting in half, and are buttered two rows at a time to control drips.
Bacon
Crisp bacon is eaten with fingers. On the other hand, limp bacon is greasy so it should be cut with knife and eaten with a fork.
Fried chicken
The way to eat chicken depends on whether the meal is formal, informal, or family-style.
In formal meals we will use fork and knife.
Informal case still needs fork and knife to remove as much meat as possible from the bone. For eating the rest of the meat you shall hold the bones with fingers and take the meat with teeth.
Family-style includes fork and fingers. Chicken wings should always be served in a casual setting. Never serve them at a formal dinner.
French fries
When in fast food restaurants or at home, French-fried potatoes accompany finger foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, or other sandwiches, eat them with your fingers. But in high-end restaurants or in formal occasions, cut them into bite-sized lengths and eat with a fork.
Pizza
Pizza served as an appetizer with cocktails is eaten with fingers.
In formal occasions use fork and knife. In family occasions eat pizza with fork or fingers.
Dear food lovers, I hope this article will help you enjoying food without having doubts how it should be eaten. Is there any other finger food you would like to know the proper eating etiquette? Don’t hesitate to ask us!
