I have never been a big fan of ketchup. The only time I eat it is with french fries, or if I forgot to tell them to leave it off of my burger. In fact, I prefer mayonnaise with my fries. When I first arrived in the UAE, I found it amusing that two packages of ketchup dutifully accompany EVERYTHING you order. Shrimp fried rice, club sandwich, you name it.
Several times a waiter will bring my food, then break his neck running (yes, running) to bring the ketchup bottle and place it with a flourish in front of me. Horrors! I almost started eating without it! The hovering waiter notices that I did not apply ketchup to my stir fried noodles, so he opens the bottle for me helpfully, smiling and nodding his head.
The other day, I was taking my time with dinner, and just out of curiosity picked up a tomato catsup packet to examine it. I was merely attempting to read the ingredients, when the cook popped up in front of me with two packets he had thoughtfully opened with a knife. I smiled humbly and squeezed the contents onto my plate, because his big brown eyes were still watching expectantly.
On my journey to Muskat last week, I had lunch at the KFC near the bus stop. (As you may recall from an earlier blog, I have a rapport with the manager.) When they brought my two piece dinner, yup, two packets of ketchup graced the tray.
I considered them at length. Were they meant for my chicken (not nuggets, traditional leg and thigh combo) or my corn on the cob. Perhaps the cole slaw or even the Diet Pepsi? I don't know. But even in Oman, ketchup is held in high regard.
To offset the ketchup phenomenon, I am happy to report that I have found a corn stand! Fresh corn is cut off the cob and roasted in a wok. Then your choice of condiments are added. I like butter, lime juice, cayenne pepper and a tiny bit of salt. So yummy, and for about $2 makes a filling snack. I didn't see ketchup, and I didn't ask.
Aleta
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