Memories from China: Beijing Home Cooking and Adventures in a Tofu Village

It's been a really busy week for both of us, so by the time Friday came we were pretty beat. We'd planned to make a nice soup, but were just too tired. Plus, we missed China. So we ordered in. The food we got was good, but did not compare to what we ate in Beijing.

In Beijing, when we stayed with YiRan's family, we'd get our mornings started with delicious, elaborate breakfasts. It was a nice change from the normal coffee-with-banana-and-maybe-some-cereal routine that we have at home. We really enjoyed these slightly sweet pieces of fried dough (above). Kind of like a donut, but not as heavy.

YiRan's aunt would make fresh pressed soy milk, heated up and sweetened with a touch of sugar. The remains of the soy beans she folded into these corn dumplings, pictured below. We'd also enjoy Bryan's favorite Chinese delicacy, baozi. These little buns are filled with meat or vegetables and steamed, so they're piping hot, fluffy, and flavorful.

Corn and Soy dumplings, and some baozi

As for dinner, we had some great experiences, but one stood out. After touring the Great Wall, we explored a small village of tofu farmers to the north of Beijing. The villagers use their homes as little restaurants, inviting guests into their serving rooms and then brining in massive amounts of food. It's a popular weekend activity of the city dwellers to head to this village and others like it to enjoy the countryside and partake in the dining.

The spread from the tofu village. 

The food itself was good - not the best food we'd had in Beijing - but the atmosphere was cool. Plus, you can't beat the price; 25 RMB (about $3) per person.

More food at the tofu village. (Spicy tofu on the right there)

We were consistently impressed by the quality of the home cooking in China. The results were so complex and beyond anything we are capable of doing (we have a hard time pulling off a decent tasting fried rice), but YiRan's aunt and cousin made it look so easy.

We really enjoyed these eggrolls that YiRan's aunt prepared. They're not egg rolls like you get in America, no frying is involved. Instead it's a thin pastry wrap that you fill with a variety of fixings like cucumber, bean sprouts, and meats, wrap up, and eat. Kind of like a Chinese taco. These were great. We also enjoyed these shrimp-like things, which were much bigger than shrimp and more difficult to peel, and tasted closer to lobster. Apparently, they're only found in Beijing.

Home cooked dinner. Filling for eggrolls, stuffed mushrooms, and big lobster shrimp

Suffice it to say, after a long week of work, taking the decrepit NYC subway, and paying $30 for takeout food, we were really missing China!

Come back tomorrow for a great recipe to start the week with!