liuzhou

I'm in that London. Been lying low. We're having an unexpected heatwave and I'm just sitting in my daughter's garden catching up on 12 years. Not much happening on a culinary front. Lots of salads. Last night she did what I think are burritos of some sort. Very tasty. I know nothing about Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisines; there was no such thing in London when I left 25 years ago, but they are everywhere now. None in China outside of Shanghai that I know of. Yesterday, I went on a tour of my old haunts. Didn't eat anything, but saw some things of associated interest. At random. This was a small "farmer's market" near my old home. Not a farmer in sight, but obviously popular food place near London University Legendary Hungarian restaurant which closed a few years back. Terrible food, but the centre of left wing politics in London in its day. My Favourite Whisky Shop Anywhere. Cutting to the Chase Wicked Window Great French restaurant, Soho, London My Favourite Coffee Shop - established 1887 I guess this is not well known outside the UK, but this is where pre-Beatles British Rock 'n Roll began. I'm sure the Chinese tourists I met there had no idea what the siginificance was. This shop has more spirits/hard liquor from around the world than anywhere else, I'd wager. Another London legend. No Caption Necessary The only remaining vegetable stall in the famous, wonderful Berwick Street Market, London. Killed by property developers. The stall holder is involved in a huge legal case, claiming rights going back centuries. London's Best Oyster Bar. Been there decades. Still No. 1 London's Best Italian Deli. Once threatened; now protected by law! A venerable institution still in the same family, but older than anything in the street. Soho Michelin Star Happy Hour Finally, I get a star. I'm going to print this out and hang it in my kitchen!

The standard practice in China is to order one or two dishes more than diners. But balance is also important. Usually.

I'm posting this from a train from Scotland to London. Entering phase 2 of my UK visit. Last night, I had my last supper in Scotland, at least for this trip. I had very consciously saved the best for last. A short way north of my mother's home is the small fishing town of Arbroath, which I visited. This is, of course, famous for Arbroath smokies. These are smoked haddock, but raised to the heights of grandeur. The smoking process means that they are sold ready to eat, so they only require heating up under a grill/broiler with a bit of butter and pepper. These are amost the ony thing that would induce me to live in the UK again. Heaven on a plate!

I finally managed to post the video showing my mother spotting me at her surprise 90th birthday party in Scotland. She thought I was in China.

Ice cream bike. The vendor was in the pub having a beer!

Yesterday, I visited a historical landmark 4 miles from my mother's home. Falkland Palace was home to the Scottish royal family, particularly James IV then James V, the latter being father to Mary Queen of Scots. She certainly visited the palace, but never lived there. Same with her son, James VI who became King James I of England on the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. I was lucky in that, as only happens occasionally, a local society were staging a historical re-enactment day. This included an element of culinary history, so I'm posting it here. Falkland village square with the royal palace in the distance (centre) Ruins Mary, Queen of Scots' death mask Kitchen Cooker Resting Cooks Lunchtime Happy and Full The Bar

I have uncovered a bizarre custom among the natives. But first I have to explain a peculiar anthropological oddity. And an economic one. A) Founded 75 years ago, Greggs is described by Wikinonsense as "the largest bakery chain in the United Kingdom", which may be technically correct but a bit misleading. They don't sell cakes and bread like a normal bakery shop might. In fact, it's more like a café, selling pies, sandwiches etc. and especially sausage rolls. They sell over two million sausage rolls a year. In 2012, ""Pasty Gate" erupted when the Conservative government decided to start taxing the take away products. This prompted a nationwide near-revolution and the tax threat was withdrawn. That is democracy! Hands off our pies! B) Scotland and England have different banknotes. English banknotes are accepted all over, but Scotland bank notes are often refused in England. It is an odd situation in that technically Scottish notes aren't legal tender in England. In fact, they aren't even legal tender in Scotland! The term "legal tender" is almost meaningless in UK law. Scottish banknotes are accepted in very few overseas banks. I can't change them in China. Only Bank of England notes are accepted. Anyway, I decided to take one for eG and sample this unique, exotic foodstuff - the Gregg's sausage roll. I strolled in and asked for two to take away (eating them on premises attracts VAT at 20%). I brandished the only currency I had (apart from some Chinese renminbi and Hong Kong dollars), a £50 note. The woman looked concerned, wandered away behind the scenes and returned to apologise, but they couldn't accept my money (despite being an English company). I explained that I had no other method of payment (after decades abroad, I have no UK cards or anything else). She sympathised but her hands were tied. First time I've had English money refused. I handed her back my two rolls which she had already wrapped. "No", she explained, "You misunderstand. We can't accept the cash, but you can take the sausage rolls anyway!" Free sausage roll! The rolls were good (free stuff always tastes best!). Nice flaky pastry, well spiced filling and not at all greasy as some can be. I then felt thirsty. Fortunately, I spotted a nearby pub I'd never visited. That'll do. The barman looked vaguely familiar, but I dismissed that. I ordered my statutory Guinness. When it was handed over, I made to pay (with a Scottish note. My £50 note had been accepted in a book shop where I had made a purchase). "No. This one is on me," the barman said! I was beginning to think I was stuck in some prank for a reality television show, when he reminded me that we had met a week ago in the hotel where I was hiding from my mother. He was bar minding there as a second job. We had conversed in the hotel about why I was in Scotland and he had been entertained by the story and wanted to buy me my pint in thanks. Still. An odd day! Free Beer

I've been a bit tied up in family stuff with little of culinary interest going on. Sister changed her plans and continues to "cook". This was all made elsewhere and heated up rather than cooked at home. except the boiled potatoes. That said it was good! The steak pie was made in-store by a local independent butcher and was lovely. The peas and cabbage were frozen. I was offered a "dessert" from a local bakery - a classic strawberry tart. I passed. Far too sweet for me.

I've used them a few times quite happily (as far as flying can be happy). I only asterisked the chana dal as I once flew from Bangkok to London on Bangladesh Airlines via Dakka. Worst flight of my 100s of flights. Every meal was chick pea/garbanzo.curry. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or extracurricular snack! And, like an idiot, I booked a return flight. Two. 10 hour curry fart extravaganzas. When I booked my flight this time, through a company I have a close business relationship with and get trade prices, my friend/contact asked which airlines I preferred. My only stipulation was that I'd heard of it and it wasn't Bangladesh. Love the country, but sorry, your airline sucks.

The smoked mackerel isn't so oily as the fresh version, not that I mind fresh mackerel. I would describe the texture as firm and flaky without being dry or hard. The ones I bought were simply fish, salt, black pepper and smoke. Some contain colouring and preservatives, so it's worth being careful. Sadly, I can't take cheese home to China. I could barely take it home from the cheese shop to my mother's place 10 minutes away without eating it all, never mind 8000 miles!

Brunch. Hot smoked mackerel, sourghdough and butter.

Brunch. Hot smoked mackerel, sourdough and butter.

It is possible that I may have escaped on the odd occasion for a pint or three of With a sister, two nieces, three great-nieces and two great-nephews in the house, I need the odd break - I'm too used to living alone, as is my mother.

The day after the party, I checked out of the hotel and moved into my mother's house where I've been basically doing nothing very much. My younger sister has appointed herself as head cook, despite not being a very good cook. She thinks she is, but while she is a great baker, I beg to differ regarding any other kitchen skills. Still, it's edible. -ish. The first meal was steak-based. The steak was well cooked but the veg were boiled to death in true Scottish style and she over-relies on industrial shortcuts such as the potato croquettes she served with the steaks. The serving was also ridiculously large , provoking hilarity among the assembled family. A second meal was more sensibly sized and somewhat better. Seabass fillet, but again with the industrial potatoes and over-cooked veg. Spag bol. Bottled sauce. But tasty. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. She is a real carer, and we all tease her about it and she takes it well. I did go off to look at the local supermarket's selection. All the fresh ingredients were there. I ended up buying far too much cheese - brie, smoked goat's, Wensleydale, smoked Bavarian, white stilton. And a sourdough bread. And more oatcakes. Snacking on them throughout the day. Funky goat's cheese on toasted sourdough. She's heading back to London later today, so I'll probably be cooking again soon.

Two "meals" from my recent flights from Hong Kong to Edinburgh, Scotland via Dubai on Air Emirates. HK-Dubai After the pleasant cheese panini (not pictured), I went with the noodles. This wasn't terrible, but the saucing was a bit over-powerfully flavoured and the greenery overcooked. DBX-EDI By the time they got to me, the turkey sandwiches had run out, so I was forced to settle for the mozz and cuke. It was OK. I did enjoy the date and ginger cake (to my surprise), but I can't find the picture I'm sure I took. For lunch, I warily chose the chicken chana dal*, but first I had to deal with the appetiser - pasta salad. It looked great but lurking under the orzo (which I love) and black beans was the dreaded yellow insult to food. Pass! Back to the chana dal. This was by far the least appealing dish visually, but was by far the tastiest. I would have been happy to pay serious money for that in a restaurant. I even enjoyed the milk chocolate mousse, despite a notorious lack of sweet tooth. Despite the c*rn disgrace, I had a really nice meal. At some point I forget, some cheese and crackers also turned up. I'll post the return flights when they occur. I'll have the dal for sure, should it be on offer again.

Because ramen noodles aren't curly.

I have tried, but they never germinated.

If you had asked the question 23 year ago when I moved to China, the list would be very long. However, I can now get most things. online if not in the local markets or shops. The only thing that springs to mind now is fresh herbs other than coriander leaf/cilantro and mint. I managed to find some basil seeds and had a healthy crop when I left for three weeks in the UK. Hope they survive. I'd grow more but it's illegal to import the seeds.

I can get it in China, so I'd be suprised if you can't. Not that I want it.

Of course I don't mind!

😕 I know Guinness is Irish! I used this cunning literary device known as irony! I'm surprised you didn't tell me off for describing Eggs Benedict as Scottish, too!

I have a video of that moment which I've tried to post, but failed. I'll do so when I get back to China, but that won't be for a couple of weeks.

Already being planned.

@kayb Oatcakes with goats cheese.

Thanks. Everyone agrees she doesn't look 90!