I have often wondered while growing up what the difference was between supper and dinner. I knew they were evening meals, but why use one over the other. During one of my aunt’s visits, I asked what the difference was and she said that in our Filipino culture, we often eat supper, which was our main evening meal because we ate early. Dinner in many countries refer to it as late nights. Therefore, if you eat late, then you would consider that a dinner meal.
Not wanting to rely on hearsay, I tried to google search and found some interesting notes about it. Dinner is considered the main meal of the evening and it varies from different countries. While France, Germany and the rest of Europe are of the same latitude or higher dinner is enjoyed with in the hours between 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. during the mid-spring through summer and mid fall, the hours of daylight are far longer than Americans.
In Bilbao Spain, since most of the people have many snacks in between, therefore their main dinner usually starts after 9pm just when the French have finished dining.
During the early years, when laborers were toiling in the fields and would come home famished, they immediately wanted their heavy meal for their depleted bodies thus dinner was much earlier. Example of which is China where dinner usually starts within the hours of 6 or 7, and for fancier banquets would normally end at 9 p.m.
But as far as I am concerned, the older I get, the lighter and earlier I prefer to eat my dinner. I no longer crave for a heavy meal as I was accustomed to many years ago, but would opt for something lighter yet at the same time nutritious. I could have a soup or a salad with all the fibers and nutrients needed for my body. Or sometimes, I would just have a glass of wine, assorted olives and for that protein kick I would have this recipe below: And always, I order my Bufala Mozzarella from my favorite cheese store: The Ideal Cheese Shop.
Buffala Mozarella with Leeks
2 pounds leeks white parts only- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 8 oz Bufala Mozzarella
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tsp. Sherry wine vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
- french bread
- Preheat the boiler.
- Clean the leeks thoroughly and boil in salted water for 6 to 10 minutes, until cooked but still firm.
- Put the leeks in a baking dish and cover with layers of basil leaves.
- Cut the Bufala Mozzarella into ¼ inch slices and play on top of the the basil layer.
- Put the dish under the preheated broiler and watch carefully. In 3 to 5 minutes the cheese should start to melt and brown. Remove the dish at this point.
- Mix the oil and vinegar and drizzle over the Bufala Mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately with a slice of country bread.
At the end of the day, whatever your evening meal might be, whether it be supper (light) or dinner (heavy), always ‘know thyself’ by listening to what your body is telling you. Evening meal comes in all sizes and times, and as a function of your lifestyle, always find that balance between quality and nutrition. So learn to eat with your head—the right way, all the way, all the time. And of course, for the healthiest cheesy treats for your entire family, order cheese at the only gourmet cheese shop in town, the Ideal Cheese Shop.
