Patrick FarrellPlanning Dinner for Tonight
July 12th 2008 07:15
Good afternoon in China.
After a different sort of eating experience last night I am ready to plan dinner for this evening. I have a friend's mother visiting China for a few weeks and naturally we want to give her a fair share of Chinese cuisine. Tonight, we have decided to venture down to Huai Hai Zhong Lu for some hot pot in the "jungle", a restaurant that has built fake trees inside to make you feel right at home (if you are from the amazon).
Last night consisted of home made Brazilian food which I thoroughly enjoyed but today we shall be eating a cuisine that originates from the north of China in Inner Mongolia. Hot pot is responsible for the invention of all types of fondue that are commonly used today in many western countries as a dessert even though it was originally used for a simple meal using broth and sliced pieces of meat. When the Mongolian Empire was in full swing hot pot or "fire pot" as it was also called was commonly used during campaigns of war across the vast empire. The simplicity alone makes it perfect for travel; all one requires is a large pot, fire underneath to quickly heat the water and some fresh meat sliced and vegetables.....and voila! Place all the ingredients into the water after boiling and you have your food cooking right before your eyes.
Copper was the most commonly used material for constructing the pot due to its' ability to heat and cool quickly and distribute heat evenly throughout the pot but it is important to line the inside of the pot with tin as to prevent any reactions with the copper, something the Mongols might not have thought of centuries ago.
That is all for now, I must make reservations for tonight, pictures will be up later on inside the "jungle" themed hot pot.
Also, by the way, hot pot is a great and inexpensive way to have a great dinner with the company of many friends, as it is a very communal experience.
I'll let you know how it turns out this evening. Type to you later.
Thanks for reading, Padruig.
After a different sort of eating experience last night I am ready to plan dinner for this evening. I have a friend's mother visiting China for a few weeks and naturally we want to give her a fair share of Chinese cuisine. Tonight, we have decided to venture down to Huai Hai Zhong Lu for some hot pot in the "jungle", a restaurant that has built fake trees inside to make you feel right at home (if you are from the amazon).
Last night consisted of home made Brazilian food which I thoroughly enjoyed but today we shall be eating a cuisine that originates from the north of China in Inner Mongolia. Hot pot is responsible for the invention of all types of fondue that are commonly used today in many western countries as a dessert even though it was originally used for a simple meal using broth and sliced pieces of meat. When the Mongolian Empire was in full swing hot pot or "fire pot" as it was also called was commonly used during campaigns of war across the vast empire. The simplicity alone makes it perfect for travel; all one requires is a large pot, fire underneath to quickly heat the water and some fresh meat sliced and vegetables.....and voila! Place all the ingredients into the water after boiling and you have your food cooking right before your eyes.
Copper was the most commonly used material for constructing the pot due to its' ability to heat and cool quickly and distribute heat evenly throughout the pot but it is important to line the inside of the pot with tin as to prevent any reactions with the copper, something the Mongols might not have thought of centuries ago.
That is all for now, I must make reservations for tonight, pictures will be up later on inside the "jungle" themed hot pot.
Also, by the way, hot pot is a great and inexpensive way to have a great dinner with the company of many friends, as it is a very communal experience.
I'll let you know how it turns out this evening. Type to you later.
Thanks for reading, Padruig.
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