mudbug

Thank you fiore. So it's basically a common Chinese name for more than one vareity of amaranth. Correct? Does the "purple amaranth" plant actually have purple foilage? or is it just the blooms as in this photo of purple amaranth? Or does it have purple in the center of the foilage as in this edible amaranth? Or is it red?

Any aid would be appreciated. Click here for Chinese that needs translation. Many thanks in advance!

Keep the suggestions coming... I will look more closely tonight. If anyone seconds any recommendations, feel free to speak up. Janice, I know so little about London that when I started to try to figure it out, it all became very overhwelming on top of the logistics of the trip until the end. This is why I got desperate and posted here in hopes of advice. London has way to much to offer for me to decide in 30 minutes. I don't know where anything is or where they would be in relation to each other and I still need to reserve a place to stay. So long as I don't miss my flight back to the states, I'm open to suggestions and if anyone wants to join me for something, PM me. Because I'm leaving quite literally in three days, I'm quickly running out of time to do thorough research and still get everything else in order before I leave. At this point, if there is a suggestion to do anything Sunday night or early Monday (keep in mind it's the off season so things aren't running as early I found with a boat tour) that involves skyline, I would love that. Seeing as much as possible in the most efficient manner sounds like a good plan. I don't need a five star three hour meal, but a recommendation on what to see and do along with a good local place to stop and get some tasty sustenance would be most helpful. And if logistics are efficient, this would obviously be best.

Leaving Thursday for Europe. The last night of my first trip to Europe will be in London, November 20th. It will be my first opportunity to see any of London. I'd like to do what I can to have a memorable, enjoyable last meal before my flight out the next day. Can anyone recommend a place for dinner that is open on Sunday? Any ideas for breakfast/brunch on Monday? I get in at 4:45 pm Sunday and leave 1:45 pm Monday. I'd love to do a boat tour but I don't think there's enough time to do so Monday morning. The ferris wheel Sunday night was recommended to me. Any ideas would be appreciated. Also, if you can tell me what "zone" things are in, this can help me determine where I need to find a place to stay Sunday night. Thanks in advance...

Matthew, Thank you. I'll add it to the list - since I'll have time to seek it out.. Hi Shiewie! Nice to see a familiar avatar. Yes, that would be absolutely appreciated. I'll PM you my email. The less expensive the better but willing to pay a bit more for a good meal instead of getting sick especially with good recommendations.

Surprised there are not more suggestions here for Eastern Europe...

Thank you Busboy. There are hostels in Athens. There will be three of us there and we can split a room or apt if that's possible and if that makes a difference for suggestions. Will be doing research but open to any insights at all!

Thanks all, I'm a bit groggy at the moment, the doorbell rang and my passport arrived! I'll try to answer some questions (if I miss one, ask again): The plane tickets and train tickets are bought and paid for. Will be travelling with a Swiss Saver Pass four counsecutive days, and a European East Pass (one month, 6 uses). Yes, I would absolutely love to spend more time in Athens but flights back shot up (especially on short notice) around Thanksgiving as you can imagine. Had I known then that my passport would get here on time, I'd have been much more involved in the planning and likely stayed in Athens/Crete and London longer - but first trip and all, comfort and logic says stick with your friends and the spear header has already done London and Paris at least once, will have done Rome three times already on this trip with family and has been there previously. Believe me. I'd love to visit France and Italy. France alone for bread and pastries. But this was a unique circumstance on many levels. As of four days ago I wasn't even sure I'd make it to Europe at all! So better some than none at all even if it's not the normal cities for a first timer. I'm just thankful its official at all! Quite frankly I've been more focused on packing light yet warm. bleudauvergne, how I wish I could take you up on your offer. Nothing better than a local tour guide to graciously show someone around. How quick of a jaunt and by what method? Swisskaese, Lugano arrive 7:45 10/28, Lake Como the morning of 10/29 then back to Lugano by 1:00 until train to Zurich at 5:55. Latest train leaves at 8:30 pm. Speaking of the Eurail, If any locals know for sure reservations would be necessary in this off season for any particular train then please let me know. Eurail (there is a chance some of these might via bus ): Swiss Pass: Lugano - Zurich Zurich - Lucerne Lucerne - Bern Bern - Lausanne Montreux - Laus Laus - Geneva European East Pass: Budapest - Vienna Prague - Brno Brno - Prague not planned yet: maybe Cesky Krumluv? Any recommendations accessible via European East Pass from Prague or Krakow? Salt Mines are all I personally at this time around Krakow that is a must. Why Prague and Krakow for so long? Because one of the party is stationed in Prague teaching English for a month and has friends in Krakow. Maybe I can change my flight to Athens and move it up but I'd be going it alone until they got there. Up until now, I had not considered straying from the pack. So by all means... keep up the insight and suggestions, I'm open to any and all. Regarding Athens: I've always said that my first choice to visit anything anywhere in the world would be Greece. With everyone else having their flights booked weeks ago and not knowing anyone in Europe to go it alone, again, felt best to stick to their schedule and make the best of it. I definitely debated whether to go at all but I figure one full day is better than zero if this is my only chance in the foreseeable future. At least I can say I tried! Busboy, good to know about Athens and thanks for the links and suggestions for Saturday. We get into Athens at 21:05 on Friday 11/18. Any suggestions for a hostel or apartment for two nights for three people? Then I leave and they stay. I wish I could stay longer but the only way to get back to London in time to make my flight around 1 pm on the 21st was to leave the day before. Fabulous suggestions for what to do and food, the timing, and the tips, just what I need to make me feel less clueless. To sum it up, I have only now been able to focus on anything else but getting there to meet up with my friends at all. Couldn't worry about anything else until that was a done deal. Only now have I had the opportunity to think about enjoying any of it! I finally have a chance to consider the basic questions of how and when and where to exchange money. How to avoid diarrhea because no one will have any fun in that case. Tips on the Eurail, buses and especially cab transportation and not being taken for not knowing the language. It's always good to know the little things that people don't think are important to know but turn out to help tremendously. I know there's a ton of info online but some of it may have been posted a few years ago, etc. With so much information now, it's difficult to wade thru what you need for yourself. What to bring, what not to bring. How to pack light but still be prepared. I hate carrying stuff around anywhere much less in different countries but I know I have to have at least a change of clothes and a camera! What are temps like there around these times?

Hi Matthew, Good eye. My mistake on 10/30/05, it has been corrected. Thank you... I did not come up with the itinerary so I can't answer you on the Switzerland/Hungary/Austria question. Edit: I'm going to guess it has something to do with the flight from Geneva to Budapest on 11/2. So little time in London because at least one of the people in the party has already been to Europe twice and who happens to be main reason the rest of us are going. She's there to see things she hasn't seen before and she's also already been there for three weeks now. I don't know if the others have already been to London before, I'm sure some have. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to go (my passport is literally in the mail right now - I just found out) so I pretty much stayed out of the planning. By all means, please feel free to comment and make suggestions, nothing is set in stone and it is flexible. None of us have been there so obviously we've no idea... which places are rushed? The Athens/Crete is somewhat of a notation as some of the party will be moving on to Crete and I'm coming home.

Ok, it's my first trip to Europe. I'm meeting up with others and at any given time there will be three to five of us, one is vegetarian but don't let that stop you from speaking up. With less than a couple of weeks I have limited time to do research so I'm hoping some suggestions will be kindly offered here. I'd feel much more comfortable with some recommendations from those who frequent this forum. I usually hang out in the China and Chinese Cuisine forum I'll need all the help I can get. We're all on budgets but an enjoyable sit down dinner wouldn't be a bad thing. I'm listing what I was given of the itinerary at this time so if anyone is familiar with the locations, hopefully it will call to mind some places to eat within the vicinity. Please feel free to volunteer addresses, specifics, and dishes we should not leave without experiencing! If you know of something in one location, I tried to make it easy so that all you have to do is say something like: 8) Try xxx for lunch, here's where they're located, prices are xxx this range and they make a great xxx. Also: I'd welcome any Farmer's Markets or Foodie Groceries and Specialty stores, pastry shops, kitchen tool places, evening/night life, etc. If something listed sounds like a place not worth our time, by all means let me know. Most of us are interested in the fine arts and anything visually stunning so any particular suggestions on that front would be appreciated as well. London special request: Sunday 11/20 - 11/21 I'll be here by myself and it may be the only chance I get to see London in my lifetime. Flight leaves at 1:45 the next day. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good dinner, what I can do on a Sunday evening, and a safe place to stay? Feel free to post up to the date, there is a chance I may be able to check the thread while I'm there. Thanks in advance! 1) Friday 10/28/05 between flight arrival and Eurail train (4-6 pm) Anything nearby or in the airport? 2) Saturday 10/29/05 (breakfast? & lunch?) Lugano & Lake Como (dinner?) Zurich: Martahaus or City Backpacker 3) Sunday 10/30/05 (breakfast?) Zurich: walking tour from train station to St. Peter's (lunch?) Rathausbrucke, Niederdorf, Schmiedezunft, Jewish Qtr, Grossmunster, Fraumster: dinner? (dinner?) Niederdorfstrasse 4) Monday 10/31/05 (breakfast?) Zurich: walking tour from train station to St. Peter's (lunch?) Bern walking tour (dinner?) Lausanne 5) Tuesday 11/01/05 (breakfast?) Lausanne then to Montreaux: Chateau de Chilon (lunch? 30 min available) then to Laus (dinner?) Laus? or visit Geneva? 6) Wednesday 11/02/05 (breakfast?) [ lunch ] Budapest: Lunch at Museum Kavehaz (dinner?) Budapest near Great Synagogue 7) Thursday 11/03/05 (breakfast?) Budapest near Vorosmarty Ter. (lunch?) Liszt Square (dinner?) near Opera House and shops 8) Friday 11/04/05 - Budapest (breakfast?) near Batthyany Ter. (lunch?) between Batthyany Ter. & Elizebeth Bridge (dinner?) after Gallert Baths 9) Saturday 11/05/05 (breakfast?) last breakfast in Budapest (lunch?) Vienna near Eurail station (dinner?) after Schonbrunn Palace, before Spittelberggasse 10) Sunday 11/06/05 (breakfast?) near Wombat or Hostel Vienna (lunch?) Vienna - Rick Steve's Walking Tour (dinner?) before Konzert 11) Monday 11/07/05 (breakfast?) before Apply Art Museum (lunch?) between museum and train station (dinner?) Prague near Wenceslaus Square 12) Tuesday 11/08/05 - Prague (breakfast?) before Hardcany Castle (lunch?) between castle and Little Quarter (dinner?) after Dancing House 13) Wednesday 11/09/05 - Prague (breakfast?) before Jewish Quarter (lunch?) before Old Town Square (dinner?) after Astronomical Clock 14) Thursday 11/10/05 (breakfast?) last breakfast in Prague (lunch?) Brno (dinner?) Brno between Spielberg Castle and train station 15) Friday 11/11/05 - Prague (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 16) Saturday 11/12/05- Prague (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 17) Sunday 11/13/05- Prague (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 18) Monday 11/14/05- Prague/Krakow (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 19) Tuesday 11/15/05 - Krakow (Salt Mines at some point in Krakow) (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 20) Wednesday 11/16/05 - Krakow (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 21) Thursday 11/17/05 - Krakow (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 22) Friday 11/18/05 (breakfast?) Krakow (lunch?) Krakow (dinner?) Athens 23) Saturday 11/19/05 - Athens/Crete? (breakfast?) (lunch?) (dinner?) 24) Sunday 11/20/05 (breakfast?) last breakfast in Athens (lunch?) last lunch in Athens (dinner?) London, I'll be here by myself and it may be the only chance I get to see London in my lifetime. Flight leaves at 1:45 the next day. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good dinner, what I can see at night, and a safe place to stay? 25) Monday 11/21/05 (breakfast?) London: last meal in Europe before 1:45 pm

hzrt8w, I can not - which is why I've posted a couple of questions to the forum already regarding what specific characters say. Thank you for the detailed follow-up an the recipe!

Fabulous! I look forward to trying this. Thank you so much for the input hzrt8w & Shalmanese. By all means, still feel free to continue with insight on pork and chicken...

Thanks all, definitely steers me in a direction. hzrt8w and Shalmanese, could you please be more specific with measurements or ratios of the ingredients? I could guess but I'm sure it wouldn't be what you all are thinking. And what kind of oil are you suggesting to rub over the top? Peanut oil? Seasame oil? I think I may add a hint of scallions to the marinade. Jon Tseng, yum... have you tried the duck recipe yourself?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoodleI assume the etymology is easily confirmed via the Oxford English Dictionary (http://www.oed.com/).

Thanks hzrt8w, looking primarily for the beef which looks like it's been flattened, rolled into a log, then sliced, hence the spiral look. As I said above, I searched but didn't find what I was looking for so steer me in the right direction if this is the case. Also interested in cold pork. I'm personally at this time not looking for poultry recipes but I'm sure others would benefit. I don't know if I count the jellyfish as "meat" per se but it of course would be found on the same platter, so if someone has a recipe, then sure.

Open to any and all insight on recipes, Chinese and English names: (cold beef appetizer = jiang niu rou) (cold pork appetizer = ???), etc. I can't seem to find what I'm looking for anywhere else so I'm hoping to find something useable here.

Interesting Dejah. Do you purchase this locally?

I see. Sounds pretty good. So basically, the custard powder is a key ingredient that we need to find. (Anyone?) [No need to quote, actually makes the thread a little cluttered.]

Oh boy... have to remind myself not to visit eGullet before having eaten.

I've been meaning to ask you, where did you get custard powder from? From the recipes I posted for you in URL=http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=71828#]Post #5 above I've never made them and I don't have the proper iron. Actually, I've never eaten them because I've never even seen them. How thick are these things? I wonder how a pizzelle iron would work with the same batter, probably too flat to yield the proper texture...

Now that is a true "eGullet" response. A funny vision appears in my head of several people attempting this...

The linguistics tangent was an enjoyable, interesting, and educational read. That's what I love about this particular forum. We're all here for the same fundamental reasons but contribute based on our own life perceptions and experiences. Perhaps a better question to ask would be: What are the most common uses for Brown or Yellow Bean Paste?

Thanks to those who posted for your insights. snowangel, That's what I was looking for. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I should point out for others that "the link to the course on straining defatting and reducing" is Unit 3, located at the very bottom of Unit 2, Day 2.

I searched and didn't come up with anything unless I'm not looking in the right places. Looking for recipes for a traditional "Chicken Reduction". My best guess is that it is a decent recipe for homemade chicken stock reduced by 2/3. Not sure what a "dark" chicken reduction is though. Any recipes, thoughts, insights would be appreciated.

My guess is that if it is specifically "har gow flour", then it has everything needed except water to make the dough... So do not add any other dry ingredients.