Liveblogging the dinner, part three

[desperance]

Forgot to mention, of course: I have also done three loads of washing-up. Partly because I have been nicely trained, but mostly because there is truly no alternative in this house. Apart from the fact that I like to use the same pots over and over, there is utterly nowhere to put dirty pots and dishes. Except in the sink and on the floor, of course, but I need both of those. I have a teeny tiny sliver of a kitchen, and limited spillover; so when I'm doing a dinner, I wash up as I go. And put stuff away also. *is extraordinary*

Next up: Chairman Mao's red-braised pork. One of his favourite dishes, allegedly. Something of an exercise in compare-and-contrast, as my own slow-cooked pork will be on the table at the same time; his is more variously flavoured (star anise, cassia, chilli), but mostly I want to do it because it starts with caramelising sugar in oil, and I'm curious to try that. Eek. I foresee more washing-up, with specific reference to burnt sugar...

Comments

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

Based on experience with my aunt's burnt-sugar frosting, soak the pot. At once, as soon as it's empty. Soak all associated implements at once as well.

If the sugar dries, you will have to soak it longer.

If the cats gets burnt-sugar on them, good luck. Isolation in the bath until you can soak them clean as well might help. it might also be a foolish dream. YMMV. (Cleaning her dog off was not too hard the one time she interfered in the process and got sugared, but it was hampered by the dog's effort to reach the spot on her back that was sticky. But that was a dog of calm and settled temperament.)