liuzhou

Yes. Souse is ancient, dating back to the 14th century. The name and, hence probably, the dish is from Provencal French. Headcheese (in one word or two) isn't quite so old - probably mid-19th century. It is American.

Another delivery dinner from a local restaurant. Not feeling up to cooking today. Left to right - Stir fried slivered king oyster mushrooms (eryngi) and 蛋饺 (dàn jiǎo), jiaozi type dumplings but with an egg wrapping, stir-fried greens (not sure which type) and finally, chicken and potato curry (Chinese style). Rice underneath. Much better than it sounds or looks. $3 USD inc delivery.

It may be and the word, a diminutive of 'scrap' was certainly first used in the USA, the OEDs first recorded usage being in New York! Of course the concept of the dish is probably European and similar products have been made in many cultures under various names for centuries if not millennia.

I mentioned yesterday that the red mud peanuts were my favourite, but I lied. They are my second favourite. Today, I bring my true favourite. 酒鬼花生 🥜 (jiǔ guǐ huā shēng), drunkard's peanuts or as I prefer to call them, beer nuts, even though I no longer drink beer. They are salted roasted peanuts with chilli. Highly addictive. Here they are in one of my coconut shell bowls.

I have a small (21cm diameter) cast iron pan that I sometimes use as a press inside a larger (27cm) cast iron pan. I always try to multifunction rather than collect more cupboard blockers that rarely get used. Small Large

I am always confused when I get a call on my cell phone marked as "Delivery Driver" when I haven't ordered anything. This happened this morning. A kilo of lychees from a friend's trees.

These came from China's southernmost island province of Hainan where most our coconuts originate. I'm not sure how common they are.

Indeed. Although, there are earlier 18th century references to devilments which was the noun for deviled foods. The verb came later.

All this peanut talk sent me in this direction. 红泥花生 (hóng ní huā shēng) - red mud peanuts - my favourite. These have been “cured” by being buried in a muddy red paste of unidentifiable ingredients then baked until the shells turn red and the ‘nuts’ take on a pleasant earthy taste.

肉包 (ròu bāo) - Pork Baozi. There are from a new to me supplier. Very good. I got tired of my old supplier sending baozi with the wrong fillings - sweet bean paste is not a sub for fresh pork!

I've certainly had it. It was a regular food substitute when was a kid. Never ate it again after leaving home to go to university almost 55 years ago! Disgusting muck. Liverwurst, I love.

I'm rather fond of these bowls I picked up a few days ago. $2.20 USD each. The are half coconut shells and come with those rubber rings for stability. Very ecological. 5½" / 14cm diameter at the rim. They are actually visually the same inside. The one on the left in my image is wet.

For chip/crisp packets, I have this small device which reseals bags and also opens them. Cost the equivalent of $4 USD.

Not my usual style, but curried prawn fried noodles.

I don't know. I don't buy the stuff. I prefer food.

Looking for something else, I just refound this topic which had slipped my memory. I'm now wondering how your Chinese cooking investigations are going a year later, if you don't mind relating.

I just noticed something strange about the Spam® sold in China. For some reason, this famous processed pork product is labelled "牛餐肉" (niú cān ròu) which means beef! Whatever, I've never bought it. I do know however that it is usually used as a ham substitute in fried rice. That said, cheaper Chinese clones brands are much more often used. Spam® itself us also available pre-sliced and in various flavours including 'black pepper" because, as everyone in China knows, western food is never consumed without lashings of black pepper. Last two images from Taobao on-line shopping listings.

Barnum’s Hotel. Baltimore, Maryland. 1863 I love the Breakfast Wines menu. A pint of Chateau Lafitte for $1.25?

Restaurants also have to pay overheads when they are not cooking, for example during closing time and days off.

Yes, but even cooking at home has overheads and your ingredients will probaby be at retail prices not wholesale. You also have fuel costs, and have to rent or purchase your home, maintain your kitchen appliances and utensils etc. Pay taxes, too. Sure you could make a cheaper meal at home but the comparison is not that simple.

Spicy prawn wraps with cilantro, culantro and garlic chives. Several were eaten.

No I am! Duh. Have edited. Yes. Thanks.