I went to China on a work trip once.
To a region notorious for cooking cats, turtles and snakes. Not great for a veggie so after visiting the Buddhist Temple in Guangxiao, and feeling some relief at the number of turtles and cats re-homed there, we happily wandered into a vegetarian restaurant tucked away down a side street. Handed menus filled with photos of dubious looking fake meat dishes, with names you’d expect to find on any Chinese Take-away menu here, I pointed tentatively, whispered reassurances to myself and tried to ignore the impatience of our waitress who was clearly used to more rapid fire ordering.
me – [pointing] this potato dish please.
her – [nod]
me – this chicken one. But it’s not really chicken is it?
her – no, mock chicken, made with potato flour
me – this dish here. Is it good?
her – [shakes her head]. This one is better, pork.
me – what about this one?
her – [shakes her head]
me – what’s wrong with it?
her – made of potato
me – potato’s good. We like potato.
her – everything you order is potato. Try something different. Have beef
I rest my case for why spuds rule! Wartime Woolton Pie might have proved more popular with the nation if someone had thought to fashion potato starch into chicken. Personally I think nothing beats the simplicity of a good old fashioned baked potato. Robinta’s my skin of choice and I’m in good company it seems after attending the Potato Day event at the weekend.
I almost called this post ‘lunching with Spud McQueen‘ but that wouldn’t have been strictly true. ‘Pouncing on Spud McQueen while he quietly ate his lunch and chatting for ages because he was too nice to turn me away‘ is a bit of a long title don’t you think? It was a charming conversation and Andy (that’s his real name when he’s not got his potato guru hat on) is one of the loveliest people I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet (if you spot him at any of the other Potato Day events you must go and say ‘hello’). I caught him mid chuckle in this picture as he playfully asked ‘Do you want me to comb my hair?’
I came away with half a dozen tubers of about 10 different varieties based on Andy’s recommendations. Much easier than trying to make up my own mind from the 100+ available. And I couldn’t believe how little they cost – a wallet loving £4.66. So roll on Easter time when potato sowing season starts. In the meantime I’m off to look for egg boxes to start chitting my tubers. I’ll catch up with you later in the week with Andy’s Top 10.
ps. If you’re still wondering about those Chinese potato dishes rest assured they didn’t taste of meat at all. Or potato for that matter. The mashed potato dish arrived looking like a chicken though – with beady black eyes and pointy beak included!
‘I’ll catch up with you later in the week with Andy’s Top 10’
Hi Nic – can I press you for that sooner rather than later? I’d love to have an expert’s view as I’m off the the potato day at Ryton at the weekend & will be overwhelmed by the choice, I know! I’ll certainly be popping some robinta in – but I’m likely to be seduced by far too many others, as per usual!
Oh, what a wonderfully charming man ! (Do you want me to comb my hair rofl ! :D) Can’t wait to see his top ten list. Thanks for sharing the expert’s advice ! 😉
I don’t know what to make of that potato chicken, tho, …lol 😛
I would not have believed the potato chicken without your photo. It is at times like this I am quite glad that my fear of flying means I am never likely to experience this first-hand …
Hazel – I’ll get it up for you before the weekend but if you want more time to look into the varieties suggested email me and I’ll jot down the names for you. G has the camera today which is why I can’t post immediately
Miss M – he was so lovely (Andy not the chicken!)
Bilbo – as peculiar as it was at least it was a harmless surprise not like some of the foodstuffs we saw. Like chicken claws on sale like lollipops in the newsagents!
Enjoyed this post, there aren’t many days when I don’t eat potato, can’t stand pasta, I don’t mind noodles but potatoes are my favourite!
I’ve sent you an email, m’dear!
[…] I know we might be missing out on something even better so you’ll appreciate my excitement at attending the annual Potato Weekend at Dundry Nurseries for the first time this coming […]