liuzhou

Yes you can.

I'm thinking I must have ordered something from that supplier in the past and their database has thrown up the wrong customer.

They are 酸乔头 (suān qiáo tóu), Chinese Onions or Allium chinense G.Don. A bit like scallion heads but more bulbous.

Nothing special. Cheddar and pickles.

Now I am baffled. This afternoon I received a delivery, clearly marked for me with my name, address and phone number. It contained nine 525g cans of "Military Specific Reserve" stewed beef from Russia! I have no idea who sent it or why. The cans are only labelled in Russian but a sticker has been applied to the top with Chinese. Bizarre. This is not something I would even eat. The local cats are in for a treat.

The yellow croaker is the most likely candidate. Very common.

Crystalised ginger. Usually I make this myself, but mobility issues pointed me towards buying it in. A load more sugar than required but not totally bad.

and still getting answers wrong

I know, but if you insist, I won't tell you. Anyway, you are safe. It's sold out.

Yet both Microsoft and Google are spending millions promoting their efforts as 'super search engines'. They aren't.

Toasted Irish cheddar on Russian style bread with Chinese artichokes. More than one round was had.

If I were in NYC, I'd be on my phone booking.

The Guardian view on ChatGPT search: exploiting wishful thinking

Except they aren't. Without seeing the Chinese character, I have no idea what the 'shā' part is referring to. My largest dictionary lists 14 different characters for 'shā', none of which seem relevant. The most common meanings are 砂 'sand', 杀 'kill' and 沙 'hoarse'. Also for 'yā zhǎng', the only possible match is 鸭掌 (yā zhǎng), which is 'duck feet' and not 'duck legs'. The most common term for these preserved duck legs is 腊鸭腿 (là yā tuǐ). I would also say the recipe provided is very basic and uninspiring.

but one I can get just as easily on Google or Bing with the source stated

Er, Thailand? There are many such food tours. For private tours, I would recommend Odynovo, but - full disclosure, I'm biased..I have done work for them in the past. That ended with Covid in 2020. They only do private custom-made tours. Tell them what you want; they arrange it.

Precisely why I would never join a 'share scheme'. I prefer to choose my food myself, not leave it to some anonymity who knows nothing about me! Or food, often.

Well, that's what I call a vote of confidence from the electorate!

Posted these on the snacking topic, but they belong here, too. My latest addiction. Served with some slivered kelp.

油浸烟熏牡蛎罐头 (yóu jìn yān xūn mǔ lì guàn tou), smoked oysters in oil with kelp slivers 海带丝 (hǎi dài sī). A new addiction.

Why does family serving family style preclude photographs? Nearly all the dishes I post pictures of are served family style.

This is what is commonly known as Kung-po or Kung-pao chicken everywhere but China! 宫保鸡丁 (gōng bǎo jī dīng), literally Palace Defense Chicken Cubes. Fuchia Dunlop tells the story of how its name was changed for insane political reasons in the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976 approx) to either 宫爆鸡丁 (gōng bào jī dīng, "fast fried chicken cubes") or 糊辣鸡丁 (hú là jī dīng, or "seared chillies chicken cubes") until it reverted in the 1980s. This version is from a local Sichuan restaurant. Not the best I've had but fine, if somewhat overloaded with the green chilllies and celery. The best I've had was in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan. Of course. Served with rice, of course.

A friend saw this and thought I'd like to have it. She wasn't wrong!

蟹籽虾仁炒饭 (xiè zǐ xiā rén chǎo fàn), crab roe and shrimp fried rice. Includes egg and 腊肠 (là cháng) Chinese sausage, plus chilli (lots).

I should say that although they are very popular in Beijing, it is Xi'an that is noted for them at the Lantern Festival. Of course, this is partly because the haws resemble lanterns. I get them here, too.