Eight Bowls and Eight Dishes

Eight Bowls and Eight Dishes

　　The Qiao family also had special festive meals different from their everyday diet, called "Eight Bowls and Eight Dishes." The eight bowls are primarily hot dishes, consisting of:– Lamas’ Meat, Meat Stew, Roast Pork, Sweet Porridge, Red-cooked Pork Knuckle, Honey-glazed Dish, Lamb with Carrots, and Meatballs; the eight dishes are mostly cold plates, comprising:– Braised Dried Meat, Shredded Chicken, Jelly-like Vegetable, Mixed Shreds, Dragon Claw Vegetable, Pickled Eggs, Ribs, and Smoked Pork. Lamas’ Meat is a type of meat dish similar to crispy fried pork, Meat Stew is an oil-drained braised dish, Roast Pork and Pork Knuckle are both meat dishes cooked in soy sauce, the Honey-glazed Dish is a sweet treat, Mixed Shreds combine vegetable shreds with pickled tofu and other ingredients, and Dragon Claw Vegetable refers to edible seaweed (Gracilaria), while Pickled Eggs are boiled salted eggs that have been quickly marinated.

　　 Judging from these foods, the meals were still quite simple. However, they were nutritionally sound and well-balanced. Not only was the variety of vegetables relatively rich by the standards of Shanxi at the time, but many types of seafood and sea vegetables, which were less common inland, were also included. The meal was also well-balanced in terms of temperature and the mix of meat and vegetables. In particular, the Braised Dried Meat is made by slicing streaky pork, marinating it in soy sauce, slicing it thinly, and arranging it with high-quality smoked dried tofu before steaming them together. It is then sliced into strips, seasoned, and mixed. The pork takes on the flavor of the smoked tofu, resulting in a unique taste. The tofu absorbs the fat and becomes smooth and delicious. The entire dish is refreshing without being greasy, with a distinctive flavor and very balanced nutrition. While these dishes are collectively referred to as Eight Bowls and Eight Dishes, they can be adjusted according to the time of consumption and the occasion. For example, in summer, Lamb with Carrots might be replaced with Candied Yam, and the Pork Knuckle might be prepared as Crystal Pork Knuckle, among other variations. Moreover, if the meal is intended to entertain internal or external guests, the quality of ingredients in the Eight Bowls and Eight Dishes may vary. For instance, premium ingredients such as sea cucumber, squid, fish maw, and hair moss might be added, yet the total number still remains eight bowls and eight dishes.