ming’s musings

This is something I’ve been meaning to do for a while now and will provide much needed content for this ‘blog’.

Lists of stuff that’s been sloshing around in my head but not been able to muse about. Here’s the first one.

Ovens. One of the key features of an English kitchen any kitchen is mystifyingly absent from kitchens here in China.

The ‘oh-ven’, as they say in the Salisbury area, is one of those things that we’ve grown up using on such a regular basis, that we’ve probably taken them for granted.

But, as the “top chefs” on ‘Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook’ would probably testify they are THE most important culinary contraptions for any self-respecting cook.

Actually the reason isn’t so mystifying.

Foods such as roast meat, bread and cakes, which are the mainstays of British nosh just aren’t part of the Chinese diet. Chinese staples such as rice, vegetables, noodles, pancakes and dumplings don’t require an oven to cook and many Chinese dishes, if not all of them, can be made on a stove.

Another reason is that a large percentage of the population still lives in poverty and most just have to make do with a simple stove or fire.

Stir-fry truly is king in China.

Having said that however, being in a country famous for cheap imitations, poor quality substitutes can always be found…

I love the 5 settings: Hamburger, toast, grilled, hotdog, fried potatos, pizza.

I mean what the f*ck is ‘fried potatos’ and who puts cherries and lettuce in an oven anyway?

Actually, I was almost sold by it’s promise of “luxurious lifestyles”.

10 things I could make with an oven but can’t in China:


1. Lasagne
2. Pasta bake
3. Asda’s Chicken and Bacon bake
4. Bread
5. Pies
6. Any roast meat
7. Any roast vegetables
8. Pizza
9. Fish Fingers
10. Cakes