For some of us, it's a nice slice of pie. For others, maybe a wedge of cheese or a cup of coffee does the trick. Whatever that "little something" is, our meal doesn't quite feel complete until we've had it! How do you like to finish your dinner?
For my part, I've never been keen on big elaborate desserts, but I do like something sweet! A simple cookie or a scoop of ice cream will usually do it for me.
Traveling in France when I was younger, I also fell in love with the idea of cheese for dessert and found it just as satisfying for an end-of-meal treat as something sweet. Of course, pairing the cheese with a bit of fresh fruit or a spread of jam was an excellent combination as well!
What about you?
Related: Entertaining Etiquette: Do You Set and End Time?
(Image: Flickr member Townend Photography licensed under Creative Commons)
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it should end with something sweet. Sometimes i just have a spoonful of ice cream.
Coffee or tea.
I usually just end it with a few minutes of panting and belly rubbing, lol.
Didn't grow up with dessert, but lately i've needed to end with something sweet, whether it be a walk to a bakery or even a sweet/savory componant to the meal.
I like to round the meal off with something reminiscent of the meal, but pleasing on the breath and appetite. The taste in your mouth should not go foul, as it would if you burped up garlic and calamari through a raspberry truffle.
Ice cream was a constant at my other-wise healthy eating house growing up (thanks Dad!) The classic was vanilla with Hershey's syrup.
I don't always have ice cream (or dessert) after a meal, but finishing a meal with something sweet will always stick with me.
When we have guests over, we always finish with dessert and coffee, if appropriate. When it's just a regular weeknight, I'll usually just have chocolate of some kind -- whether it's a cup of dark chocolate pudding, or just a bite of dark chocolate -- it seems to hit the spot!
sometimes a dark chocolate piece, or two spoonfuls of ice cream is nice.
I push myself away from the table and go for a walk. Anyone with room left for dessert should use the space for nutritious foods and not sweet waistlands.
As my grandmother says, "just a little sumthin' sweet, just a bite." She always keeps a container on the counter with cookies or chocolates, and she has one piece after every meal. I am a product of her influence. :)
My parents were married in 1943 (yes -- a long time ago), and I don't think a meal has ended without him saying something like, "You've done it again! Another great meal. Thank you." I'm trying to keep that enthusiasm alive. For the record -- there is typically a small dish of ice cream, or sometimes fresh berries, for dessert.
As a kid, we usually got a cookie (homemade) or occasionally an ice cream treat.
These days, since fitting into my pants is more important than something sweet, the meal ends without desert. I don't actually miss it. I only serve/eat dessert when it's a special meal, and it's usually appreciated more.
I went out for Korean food for the first time and was surprised to see that at the end of the meal, we received little orange segments and grapes. It was just the right finish.
Usually though, a cup of tea and a snuggle with my husband is how I finish a meal.
I used to finish every meal with a cigarette. Nowadays, I suppose a cup of really nice coffee after dinner, or a glass of wine. Dessert is not my thing, but fruit sounds nice.
Our family liked a small roll or piece of bread smeared with butter. The butter is sweet enough to satisfy a craving and the bread just cleanses the palate. If I had a choice between ice cream or cake or fruit and a roll, I'd choose the roll!
Sweets! Sometimes this can be fruit, or a piece of chocolate, but I prefer cake or cookies! (I don't always get it, but I always want it...) A spoonful of ice cream or marshmallow fluff will do fine in a pinch. Or a sweet drink like soda or sweet tea.
A belch.
Fernet Branca is good if you are stuffed to the gills, but I love an icey lillet with orange slice.
I like to treat myself by watching my husband attempt to tackle the pile of dishes in our tiny apartment kitchen.
Along with a great cup of coffee, regular or decaf depending on my guests, I love to serve crystal goblets of seasonal berries with fresh whipped cream, yum!