Ichorian cuisine

Meal routines

Breakfast

Breakfast is traditionally a quick meal. Classic elements include sweet or savory bread rolls topped with butter, fresh cheese (which may be produced at home), and fruit jams and jellies such as quince paste. Coffee (served black or blended), milk, milk of rushes and tea are common breakfast beverages. Baked goods and confectionery are also available at cafés, which overwhelmingly open early and begin serving breakfast as early as 6 AM.

On the weekend or on holidays, breakfast may consist of a heartier meal. Dishes served may include potato tortes or a variety of toast sandwiches and other bread dishes, with cheese, egg and cold cuts as common ingredients. More complex baked goods, both savory and sweet, are also standard fare.

Lunch

The exact nature of lunch varies widely depending on circumstances: during the week, a typical "working lunch" is a fast meal, usually consisting of a soup and a main course. These are commonly provided by a corporate or school canteen. The "queen of the meals", however, is the Sunday lunch. Historically a family affair, neighborhood luncheons became a growing trend in the mid 1500s, with rural flight, urbanization and family splintering leading to new forms of communal bonding.

Currently, whether at home or in communal halls, shared with one's extended family, neighbors or friends, Sunday lunches remain a staple of Ichorian cuisine and culture. Weekend meals in general may begin 30 minutes to an hour past noon and extend for hours on end. A main course of roast meats, grilled fish or seafood is standard, with geographic and seasonal variation, while desserts may range from the simpler fruit salad to the more complex Sweat Cream, Apple Azharene or Yvanian pudding.

Dinner

As the day-to-day meal most associated with familial togetherness, dinner is second only to weekend and holiday lunches as the most complex meal. The formality of the meal's structure is directly proportional to the formality of the occasion, as is the number of courses present. In general, however, dinner can be understood as a three course meal. These are the main course (which is the main source of protein, be it meat, fish, seafood or plant-based) the side dish (an accompanying "palate cleanser", commonly a salad or refreshing appetizer), and the dessert. Water, particularly mineral water, is a must-have at the table, as is (in general) one or more accompanying beverages, such as wine, sider, beer, soda, or other non-alcoholic light beverages.