Anna Chen A quickie. Should you find yourself in the sort of joint where they provide chopsticks in paper wrappers, and the table setting lacks the requisite elegant porcelain chopsticks rest as found in the more upmarket establishments, you can give your table a touch of class (I won’t say which one) as well as amuse your dining companions for entire seconds with this neat little trick.
Place your chopsticks vertically on the table with the open end of the wrapper uppermost. Hold the top of the paper and pull down the length of the chopsticks so that you end up with a ruffle of paper.
Place ruffle of paper on table, rest chopsticks on it, admire – and prepare to be admired.
When you receive disposable chopsticks at a restaurant or in your bag of delivered Chinese food, they typically come in a paper case. After you remove the chopsticks from this case, they can lead to significant frustration. Even when you have mastered the knack of eating with personalized chopsticks, keeping them on the table can be a different story. They may be inclined to roll off your plate, bringing the tips into contact with the potentially dirty table. Avoid this possible contamination by turning the paper case into a chopstick holder, also known as a chopstick rest. This simple item gives your chopsticks a place to rest when you set them down.
Etouffée isn't East Asian, but it *is* served over rice!
Ah, I see — so it forms a ridge (upper sides of a triangle in cross-section). Thanks, Ed. I shall try this one next time.
BTW, at some point I shall be trying out your Shrimp Etouffé with full credit to ya.
Alternative, from Japan.
Tear wrapper at thick end. Remove sticks.
Smooth empty wrapper. Fold in half so it's shorter.
Fold again lengthwise.
Place on table with point upwards.
Thank you for noticing, Oliver. The bottom one is actually beaded embellishment on a T-shirty sort of dress thing.
oooh! I love your necklaces!
(and, of course, your natty I idea for a chopstick rest… can't wait to impress my friends with that!)
We may not be able to lay claim to Origami glory, but we can do that bluddy chopsticks rest.
OH MM great mind thibk alike. I was first shown this trick when I was at drama school hem years ago. I was the aitre D for a Chinese restaurant.
LOL… that's a good one, Anna! Practical and entertaining. 😀