2 illos for a Chinese cuisine culture book from the Qing Dynasty.
随园食单：须知单
厨者之作料，如妇人之衣服首饰也。
虽有大姿，虽善涂抹，而敝衣蓝缕，
西子亦难以为容。“
It describes how spices are to the cook what beautiful clothes and jewelry are to women.
“迟速需知：
凡人请客，相约于三日之前，自有工夫平章百味。
若斗然客至，急需便餐；
此何能取东海之水，救南池之焚乎？“
The dilemma of a guest who comes unexpectedly and has no fine food to serve.
prev / next