Learning the Art of Chinese Cooking
In China, the food is fresh! And few people are alienated from this
process of reality. A pig portrait in a village, Guizhou Province,
People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
A butcher at a hutong market, Beijing, People's Republic of China
(July, 2008).
Brad Houk boiling home-made jiaozi (pork-stuffed
dumplings) with his host family in Xi'an City, Shaanxi
Province, People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
A hen portrait in a village market, Guizhou Province,
People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Dogs. From a culinary perspective, Brad was informed that the yellow
dogs tasted the best, then the black ones, followed by the multi-colored
dogs, and finally the whites ones. There seemed to be lots of white ones.
Brad ate dog and thoroughly enjoyed it! He found the meat sweet.
Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Somewhere in China, dog meat for sale in the market. Note: dog
meat is absolutely delicious (2008).
A basket of chilis and tomatoes for sale in a village market,
Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
A basket of garlic for sale in a village market, Guizhou Province,
People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Dofu, mushrooms, and vegetables for sale
in the Kaili market, Guizhou Province, People's
Republic of China (August, 2008).
A basket of charcoal for sale in a village market, Guizhou Province,
People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
A hutong market, Beijing, People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
The vanishing art of handmade noodles at a dao xiao
mian restaurant, Kaili, Guizhou Province, People's
Republic of China, July, 2008 (photo courtesy of
Bill Harrington).
The vanishing art of handmade noodles at a dao xiao
mian restaurant, Kaili, Guizhou Province, People's
Republic of China, July, 2008 (photo courtesy of
Bill Harrington).
The vanishing art of handmade noodles at a dao xiao
mian restaurant, Kaili, Guizhou Province, People's
Republic of China, July, 2008 (photo courtesy of
Bill Harrington).
Brad's host brother and cooking teacher, Xi'an City,
Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
(July, 2008).
Brad's host father and cooking teacher, Xi'an City,
Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
(July, 2008).
Brad learning to make one of his many favorite Chinese pastries. He
always found the doughy Chinese pastries delicious, filling, and
healthy (although he never knew what was in them). Above, Brad
and his host mother are rolling flavored pig lard into balls then stuffing
them into shells of glutinous rice dough before boiling. One might call
these lard balls, but the Chinese name is tang yuan fen. They are
delicious and, indeed, remain one of Brad's favorites. On an upper floor
of a high-rise, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
(July, 2008).
All photographs, drawings and prose by Brad Houk unless otherwise noted.
Copyright © 2008 by Brad Houk, All Rights Reserved
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