A recent visit to China took TBW to 2 cities not usually frequented by foreigners unless for business. The cities are Maanshan located in Anhui province and Nanjing in Jiangsu province. Our local hosts were ultra generous with their hospitality especially shown with food and this was how TBW got to know these 2 provinces of China.
On our first day in Maanshan, a welcome dinner was prepared for us consisting of local specialties.
Chagan: TBW likes this. It looks like strips of sauteed meat but is actually tofu and has the taste and texture of mushrooms. Maanshan is big on tofu and has many dishes made from this.
Fresh pop beans cooked with egg. China's food world is filled with pop beans...fresh, roasted, braised, fried and the list goes on.
Bluefin leather jacket fish in spicy soy sauce. The Chinese call this Bapiyu fish. Tastes like a meatier milkfish.
A refreshing soup made with tomatoes and eggs
Familiar mapo tofu
Omelette
Black fish in a sour broth. Similar to tom yum.
Sweet & sour spare ribs. Yes, they have s/s but this is different as made with more soy or oyster sauce and tomato.
Chicken & potatoes in a spicy,tomato based sauce with start anise & cilantro. The star anise brings a different dimension of flavor to this dish's sauce.
Not peanut brittle. These are savory rice crackers.
Braised fresh water shrimp
There were a few more dishes on the lazy susie for everyone to enjoy. This welcome dinner they call “simple” was surely a sneak preview of our hosts’ lavish brand of hospitality. Food is important to them and is a symbol of their warmth and sincerity. And with this they never faltered for more was offered as we continued our journey to Maanshan and Nanjing.
The Butcher's Wifey 