no not have pepper in the house?

[bluecomputerscreen]

I just don't use it in cooking (use many other spices and herbs though).
I threw out a quite dusty packet 10years out of date recently.

relative is visiting and has offered to cook and asked for the pepper.

aibu not to buy any?

what are the bets that my relative will buy us a pepper shaker?

I ca never get on with women whose minds are full of things like the contents of the kitchen cupboards.

If I was cooking for someone who never ate pepper I wouldn't use it.

Just imagining all these bland meals with no pepper or herbs or spices! Each to their own but yuck!

Indeed. Plain meat/fish with steamed vegetables and no seasoning whatsoever for every meal sounds so joyless and boring.

I do eat plain food but, for example, a plain baked potato without salt and butter just doesn't cut it for me.

It's not for heat?

If they are cooking and going through an ingredients list it's quite normal to check the herbs and spices needed rather than buy loads you've already got....presumably you're either buying the other ingredients....in which case spend the extra £1 or they are and they will bring it.

I've got one of the pinch of noms, they are tasty and quite simple so it'll serve you well.

Can't recommend batch cooking enough. On the days I have to go into the office, the fact I can pull a pasta sauce out of the freezer that we know is healthy and tasty and a decent meal but really fast is so helpful. I've always done it anyway but since having DD it's been a lifesaver.

It's a good skill to have and it can be enjoyable when you know you're making something everyone will love eating.

Well, of course they mention it. It just seems a bit rubbish to not spend £1 on some basic salt and pepper that guests may want. It's part of being a decent host..... they're trying to tell you but clearly you're not getting it 🤣

Well done for giving it a go. I find Jamie Oliver good too for simple recipes that aren't too complicated. He has one book that is all recipes with only 5 ingredients that has some good ideas in it.

Same, I can't imagine not having it. Add it to sandwiches, scrambled eggs, soup, every single recipe I'm making
But I do go through a lot of herbs and spices, need to start buying in bulk as an oregano jar lasts me maybe 2 months if that!

Clearly I’m weird as I don’t use pepper or salt.

I think you ABU buy not buying some on this occasion specifically -
You have a guest visiting and the cost of a pepper mill is very small, especially when they have offered to cook too (assuming you'd be making a few other grocery purchases for their stay anyway).
I'd give it to them to take away if I wasn't going to use it afterwards.

That said; if I had offered to cook at someone else's home, I'd purchase and take all necessary ingredients with me, including the pepper if I knew you didn't have any (I'd check beforehand, so I was not short of anything).
I wouldn't expect someone else to have everything I need.

@RampantIvy as I say, the seasoning comes from the sauces added to the dish, rather than seasoning added directly to the food.
So for example, if I'm making pork fillet, then the pork would be sliced, fried and then a sauce added to it, which gives the flavour to the whole dish.
If I cook steak, the meat is fried in salted butter without seasoning, then a pepper sauce or garlic butter added once it's plated.
Meals aren't joyless or tasteless just because herbs and spices aren't added to a dish. It depends on how the dish is cooked.

but by using packet sauce mixes you are using herbs, spices, salt...

I always find packet sauces very bland. If using I add seasoning. And salt is a flavour enhancer.

Oh I see.
Instead of using packet sauces I make my own, using seasoning, herbs and spices that will already be in the packet sauces (minus all the additives) that you use.

So, what you are really saying is that you don't use additional seasoning, herbs and spices.

Does anyone think that the posters who never use any salt or sugar come across as a little morally superior?

I don't take sugar in hot drinks but I always have some in the house for visitors who do.

Most people like salt on their chips and I think it is poor hosting if you can't provide it for your guests.

Packet sauces are made, generally, of seasoning, herbs and spices. I’ve never used a packet sauce as I like to be able to control the flavour and make it exactly to my liking, but (bar preservatives etc) the ingredients are much the same as a home made sauce.

things I use to 'spice up' meals

• paprika
• chilli
• fresh crushed garlic
• ground ginger
• cardamon
• mustard
• rocket

Not everyone hosts regularly. Why would people buy something that may not get used prior to it degrading?

Whether you use as pepper or not is not important. What matters is a guest has politely asked for a common household item be available to them when they visit.

Yabu as you won't provide it, it's not an unreasonable request.

but good point about those pepper sachets. will try to get hold of a couple. so that a whole pot doesn't get wasted.

Because it's polite if someone is coming to cook for you?

Yes, that's true, but I prefer a sauce ( from a packet ) but from home as I dislike most of the sauces here, they're either too salty or spicy, which doesn't compliment the dish.

Thanks il have a look