MANDARIN LESSONS

YoYo

This is YoYo my Mandarin teacher. She is so nice, always smiling and extremely patient which is just what I need.

Although I've only had three lessons so far, I have to admit to really enjoying learning a new language. Once there, the time flies, but I still think of a thousand reasons why I can't go. Maybe it's because I haven't done as much homework as I should have beforehand!

Anyway yesterday's lesson was a good one. I can now order a G&T or a glass of red or white wine. So homework should be fun this week. I plan to do lots of practising..............

I am managing with everyday greetings, hello, how are you, pleased to meet you etc. Also can ask for what I want, that is if I know the word for what I want! A bit of a stumbling block. However there is a word, "zhege" which means "this one," so used in conjunction with "I want" it can get me whatever I need.  But as I have mastered the words for shoes and bag I am on my way.

 I can also deal with basic transactions at the market, although sometimes when I use what I know they come back at me with too much, and way too fast, so I have had to learn to ask them to speak more slowly. Numbers are not too difficult, but again they are often said way too fast for me to pick up. Slowly I am picking up on them though.

It's difficult, it will take a while, but hopefully I will persevere and eventually will have mastered enough to get me through everyday living. It is fun, most days, I know I will never be fluent, but I will have fun trying. And if it keeps my mind alert then that is an added bonus.

So for now "zaijian", sounds like, (zichien,) or goodbye as we say.

Off to do some homework, and no as it is 10-00am I am not about to order a G&T, just in case anyone was going down that route, lol.

DISH of the WEEK

Don't shoot me I'm only the messenger.

You won't be surprised to hear I wasn't tempted, not even in the name of a blog!

Although it set me thinking, what would foreigners make of our "Toad in the Hole"

Do we judge too quickly?

Watch out for more dishes of the week coming to you soon.
I am having so much fun searching them out for your enjoyment, and in some cases, for your complete horror. 

A HOME COOKED CHINESE FEAST

WEN'S DAD 

On Sunday this man, known only to me as Wen's dad, cooked for us, our Sunday lunch, Chinese style. Wen and Albert are our friend's here, and on a Sunday her father goes to their apartment and cooks for them. We were so happy and felt very honoured to be invited along on this occasion.

Wen's dad lives to cook. He loves everything about it. He scours the markets for the freshest and best on offer that day. He daily makes his way around the various markets, and something told me he would take no nonsense from the vendors.

So it was with great anticipation we arrived to eat.

Wen's dad had spent the whole morning shopping and preparing for the meal. A peek into his domain revealed a very organised chef. Rows and bowls of precisely chopped vegetables all ready to be added at the right moment. There were live crabs in the sink, but not for long, alive that is. I was soon to witness the culling. No plunging into boiling water here, instead claws were cut off as they still wriggled. Then the disemboweling begun. I was given a lesson on the best way to kill them. Sorry it's a plunge into boiling water for me. That alone pricks my conscience!

Another bowl was full of clams, and a stack of freshly rolled spring rolls sat at the ready.

After witnessing the demise of the crab, I then went to sit and enjoy the array of fruits and chocolate on offer on the coffee table. All there to tempt us. No chance of refusing as now Wen's mum, known to me as WenWen, was literally peeling the fresh lychees and handing them to me and my husband. They were sweet and juicy as were the cherries. I managed to avoid the chocolate.

I had to stop as I didn't want to fill myself up before the main event. But this didn't prove as easy as I hoped as WenWen was determined to see to it that we were kept busy eating.

Soon we were called to the table. In China they don't have starters and mains, it just all arrives as it is ready. I knew it would be unlikely to see rice served as it is deemed as a poor man's food, something to fill you up when you can't afford the meats and fish. I was correct in my assumption. It did make a small appearance as a coating, similar to the way we would use breadcrumbs.

We were now ready to try a traditional home cooked family meal. Surely this is the best way to appreciate a country and their culture. And also a great privilege. An array of dishes were put before us, delicious sticky ribs, tender juicy prawns and baby corn, and meatballs coated in in sticky rice. Strangely they had an air of a haggis flavour about them. Seemed it was mainly ginger, soy sauce and black pepper in them. There was also a cold chicken dish, simply cooked breast, and of course vey tasty. A dish of cooked yams, but not the yam I know, this one is long and thin with a woody skin. It was served with lots of chopped chillies. I once tried to prepare this myself but when peeled it is incredibly slippery and I struggled to even hold on to it. The more I rinsed it, the worse it became. Much hilarity occurred as I told my story, and of course a lesson on the best way to do it. The proper way to do it was demonstrated by Wen's dad using a chopstick! Use your imagination.

 Then the crab arrived in a wonderful hot and spicy sauce. Again very few ingredients are used. Mostly soy sauce, ginger, chilli, and pepper. But this was so good. I soon followed my hosts sucking the meat from the claws. There was six of us to eat and three crabs had been prepared! WenWen was doing what mothers do best and offering us more and more food.  At one point everyone took a short break, a walk round the apartment. and then back to start again. During the whole time Wen's dad was in the kitchen cooking. He popped out from time to time, ate a few bites with us, then back to work. I have to say he cooked all this meal on a 2 ring gas cooker, as is common in almost all Chinese apartments, with a cigarette in hand and a beer to hand. Love his style?

SPICY CRAB

Back to the table for the clams, slightly spicy with hit of chilli, a plate of  fried fish. Similar in texture to cod but not really sure what it was, and it had a bone right down one side. I didn't see it pre- cooked so wasn't able to identify it. But it was so good and I was tempted, although by now I was so full, to go back for another piece. So I did! Probably against my better judgement. Oh well what is one to do?

I have to admit I also went back once or twice to the ribs, they were just so good, and maybe a second helping of crab. OMG I'm getting full again just remembering it!. 

Then suddenly WenWen took off to the kitchen quickly followed by Wen. Seems it's Wen's mum who is the expert at frying the spring rolls. I had by this time forgotten all about them. It seems they are usually served at the end of a meal, not as we are used to as a starter. But, it seemed that Wen had to supervise, just to be sure. Soon became obvious that mum wasn't doing it correctly and dad had to make his way back to the kitchen to sort it all out. I was then given a lesson on the best way to put spring rolls into the hot oil, seam towards you to stop the roll filling up with the oil and opening out. Sounds like good advice to follow. Notice the use of chopsticks in cooking. 

Of course the spring rolls too were delicious, but we had to stop her cooking them. There must have been about 30 of them. I would bet no group of six people could have eaten all the food which was prepared. But we gave it our best shot, but not quite good enough I'm afraid. 

So I am happy to say our inclusion in a family day was over and above our expectations. Once again proving people are basically the same the whole world over. Put them round a table with good food and  shared interest and a good time will be had by all. I will never forget this day and look forward to reciprocating in the future.

The good thing about it all was it was served on a plastic sheet so all the shells and bones are just put on the table and at the end the whole thing is gathered up and put in the bin. Easy quick clean up. Oh and the extra spring rolls were packaged ready for us to take away. 

My only issue was not being able to chat with Wen's parent's, what little Mandarin we have mastered was useless as they speak Shanghiese, which is now no longer taught here, it is a dying language. But it did not spoil the day and I think we all had a good time sharing the meal together.

DISH of the WEEK

I frequently see some strange, unusual and sometimes quite disgusting items on menus. I thought I would share these with you on a weekly "dish of the week" blog.

 In this case I didn't take the plunge and order it, but maybe there will come  day when I get a bit braver, or for the sake of a blog overcome the good taste barrier that seems to surround me.

I hope you will enjoy these posts. I certainly have fun searching menus for these items. So many restaurants here, 73,000 licensed ones, so many menus to scan. I may need to hang around Shanghai for a long time.

TWO SIDES OF THE HAUNGPU

A gorgeous hot Saturday saw us head over the river, to the "other side".

Shanghai is divided by the Haungpu, Pu meaning river. On one side is PuDong, where I live, the other side is PuXi. So literally East and West of the river. Here in PuDong is where the financial centre of the city is located. There are lots of new buildings, and lots of wide open space. At the moment the highest building in China is located here, The SWFC which stands about 1/4 of a mile from our apartment. Next to it is being built, what will be the 2nd highest building in the world on it's completion in 2014. We are enjoying watching it grow before our eyes. It is a fast growing and modern part of the city. I love it here. 

What will be The Shanghai Tower due to open 2014

This is what we can see from the apartment window. At night when all the welding is going on, it can be like looking at a firework display as the sparks cascade down the building. It really is amazing.

SWFC Highest building in China

Five minute walk from the home and I can be at the river. A short ferry ride, costing 20p will take me across to PuXi in a couple of minutes. Another beautiful part of the city.

This is where the old town is located. In recent years a lot of developing has been going on. Lots of cool new bars, restaurants and shopping malls springing up. Old areas are being cleaned up to make way for the new lifestyle, demanded by the young wealthy Shanghaiese people and by ex pat and tourits alike. It is a hip place to be seen. But the old town also remains with markets for anything you wish to buy. The old building and tree lined streets are beautiful.

Xintandi Area of Puxi

It is so relaxing walking around the old streets, although now awash with tourists.

It is what it says

Cool Docks is full of restaurants, bars and stylish shopping.

It's strange but people who live on the PuXi side of the river seem to look down a little in the Pudong side. One lady I spoke to said she had never crossed the river. I find this really strange as both sides have much to offer. They are just different. But then I guess in London there is a north, south divide with the Thames going on.

Taken aboard the ferry

I am very happy to live  in PuDong and also enjoy the luxury of a quick, cheap ferry ride across to experience as much of the city as I can while I am here. 

Looking across to Puxi from PuDong.

Making the most of these sunny days as apparently the rainy season, which is basically June, will be here soon. Can't say I'm looking forward to that.

THECELTICCOOK GOES MEXICAN in SHANGHAI

MY Diploma in Mexican Cooking

Well here is the proof that whatever you decide to do, it is all here in Shanghai. A strange place to do this I agree, but I'm just taking advantage of all that is available to me.

Did I slog away for 6 long weeks, did I do an intensive class? Answer to both these questions is no!

I paid some money, about the equivalent of a nice meal out, and spent a wonderful 3 informative hours sitting on a stool watching someone prepare all the dishes, while being supplied with unlimited margaritas, stopped counting, or maybe last count after my 5th!

As each course was demonstrated we ate the results. So as well as drinks, we ate a delicious, chef prepared lunch. Angelina Ramos, the chef, was over from Mexico on a promotional visit, which I'm guessing tied into Cinquo de Mayo celebrations. She was very entertaining and showed us how it should be done. Made it all look so easy.

  

Guacamole

An appetiser of guacamole went down well, and was followed by a really delicious cold avocado and shrimp soup, which I will definitely be trying in the near future. She then prepared some chicken nachos with a green salsa and cheese. So good. A beef fajita was our final dish before dessert.

For dessert a rice pudding with orange, cinnamon and pistachio nuts was prepared. I'm not a great rice pudding fan, but tasted a spoonful and it was nice, and I know my husband would love it.

So all in all a good day was had by all. Good food, good company, a big basket of Mexican goodies, a set of chef's whites and a lot of handy tips for the next time I cook Mexican.Plus of course a diploma!

 I am thinking maybe this weekend I'll put my new found knowledge to the test in my kitchen. Only hope I can remember everything.

So I will be looking out for the next cooking event held in the Westin Hotel. Well worth the money for a very informative and entertaining afternoon.

MY LOCAL MARKET

My local wet market

I love shopping at my local market. It is a busy noisy place and full of friendly people. On several occasions  people have come to my rescue with iphone translation apps to help me but what I want.

As I am a frequent visitor the stall holders now know me and are extremely helpful, even helping me with what little Chinese I have picked up so far. There are always smiling faces welcoming me.

The produce is fresh and plentiful, and full of stuff I have never seen before, or certainly never used. So I am enhancing my cooking skills trying out new things. One thing is that the produce doesn't stay fresh too long, but for me that means it's not full of artificial things helping it to last for ever, which can't be a bad thing.

 Also I like shopping on a daily basis choosing what's fresh that day and working my meals around it. This is how people used to shop. Luckily I have the time to do this and I appreciate this is not an option for everyone, but I am enjoying it while I can.

My fruit seller

Shopping here lets me see a bit of local life in China, away from the ex pat bubble that one can often find themselves in. Although we do some of the ex pat stuff we also love to see how the local people live and often find ourselves wandering down alleys and backstreets. It always feels safe, we have never felt threatened, and we are careful. People do stare, not too many blondes wandering around these areas, but they are always polite, and usually more than willing to let me take photographs, and on more than one occasion have had my photograph taken by them.

Lunch time at the market.

Selection of fish on sale

So as you can probably tell I am having a lot of fun shopping here. I even get free stuff! I now have so much ginger in my freezer I don't know that I'll ever use it all up. Can you believe when I went on Saturday to buy chillies, quite a bag of them they wouldn't charge me anything. Can't ever see that happening at home. I will repay them will treats from my kitchen, not sure how that will go down, but I will try. Little jars of chilli sauce perhaps.

So combined with the supermarkets here, I couldn't do all my shopping in the market, I am able to find almost everything I want. Buying anything brought in from outside of China is very expensive, but we do need a little bit of "home" from time to time so if a box of weetabix in the cupboard satisfies that need then the cost doesn't really matter.