Glossary W
Wool on a Handle refers to a cowboy term for a lamb chop; generally greatly disliked by cattlemen.
Wild Black Vanilla Pod (Vanilla Planifola) refers to a variety of vanilla said to have originated from Madagascar which has a superior quality to any other available vanilla variety. In Madagascar these vanilla are handpicked by the locals and then cured to bring out its flavor. The Wild Black Vanilla Pod is jet black and is between 17 to 22 centimeter long. The fragrance and strength of this rare Vanilla is quite incredible.
Vanilla is a rare spice and it is the seed pod of a type of Orchid. It takes about 2 years for a pod to mature it then goes through a laborious curing process which takes over 3 months before its natural aroma is properly developed.
Wan Dou Huang which is also called Pea Cake refers to a traditional Beijing snack, available in spring when the pea is ripe. Wan Dou Huang is made from boiled as well as mashed peas and small Chinese jujubes, it tastes sweet, soft, delicious and full of aroma. To prepare the cake you need good yellow peas and a kind of special herb which is added to the pea paste 10 minutes before stir-frying. lf the herb is added too early, the yellow color it brings will disappear. Moreover, the peas should be thoroughly rinsed and the paste should be carefully filtered. A suitable amount of water and heat should be applied before a quality Pea cake out of the oven.
In Beijing, the most authentic Pea Cake is made by Fangshan Restaurant, where you can also enjoy other yummy local snacks. And if there happens to be a temple fair in spring, Pea cakes are sure to be served for customers.