Reading through the old entries here, I came across the much-missed Anna N's question about Laoganma and the ensuing conversation which I had forgotten.
The product in question was Laoganma Chicken Chilli and people were doubting that it actually contained any chicken despite it being listed in the ingredients (albeit in Chinese).
I was surprised at the time not by the chicken but by the doubters, although for some reason I didn't say anything.
The reason for my surprise was that jarred meat containing products such as that are quite common here. This one is typical.
S: 香菇牛肉酱; T: 香菇牛肉醬 (xiāng gū niú ròu jiàng) has been translated by the producers as 'mushroom and beef paste' but 'shiitake and beef sauce' would be more accurate.
Like Anna's Laoganma chicken and chilli, it is usually spooned over rice or noodles as a snack or quick meal. Not used as a condiment so much.
Ingredients are listed as vegetable oil, shiitake, chilli, eryngii mushrooms, fermented black beans, soybean protein, broad beans, beef, salt, ginger, garlic, msg, sugar, sesame, konjac powder, spices and a handful of preservatives whose names are longer than I can be bothered to type.
Three serving suggestions given are: with meals, over mixed noodles or with bread.
I have no idea how available this brand may be but Asian markets probably have similar preparations.
