The meat is prepared in the sauce, and the dumplings are offered as the starch of the meal, similar to how we might add pasta or mashed potatoes to our meals. They also eat boiled or mashed potatoes and rice on the side, here, depending on the main portion. At my university, they have a cafeteria in the basement, which is very convenient and cheap and which offers four different meals to choose from on a rotating basis.
Yes, in some ways! Potato and bread dumplings are typical, as they are easy to prepare and allow you to utilize cheaper foods. Many Czech people eat these heavier dishes to feel warm, especially in the winter, and to go with their beer. It's very common to see people drink beer during lunchtime, here, even at my university! This is clearly different from in the United States where the drinking age is 21. Although as an American student, I obviously do not drink the beer here, myself, it is interesting to note the different attitudes towards eating and drinking that people follow in another country!
