I was elated to see squid for the first time since I have been to China. Mrs. Qi minced the squid and cooked it up with sweet red peppers and celery.

I have a wanton dislike of celery -- I hate its stringniess and weak, obnoxious flavor. But I have found that the Chinese version of it to be smaller, skinnier, and far less offensive to my palate than "American celery".

Then there was thinly-sliced beefed tossed with just-barely cooked hot green peppers.

It was a bit chewy, but still nice.

I got the impression that she had bought the spicy roast duck from the market, instead of cooked it herself, but I still enjoyed it. The whole duck had been chopped up -- I ended up with half of its' head (it had been cut right down the middle).

Boy, was it spicy -- it left my lips burning! As per custom, we left the bones on the table on the sides of our plates.

I was loving the spicy dofu with cilantro. I remember a time when I hated cilantro -- I found it confrontational, disruptive and soapy-tasting. But I grew to love it, thanks mostly to Mexican food, and now I find it to be among the most intoxicating flavors in the world.

The dofu was semi-firm, and its soft milkiness was a glorious match for the spicy sauce in which it floated.

There was also cold cucumber served with a garlic and what I think was black bean sauce.

The coolness and crunchiness provided a nice respite from the burning silkiness of the dofu and the fiery duck.

I neglected to photograph the mutton soup, which was a simple broth with cilantro and thinly-sliced mutton. Really wonderful. And of course, the ubiquitous qing cai, which I will always love, but don't feel the need to discuss again.

Again, I felt so lucky to be welcomed in to someone's home and treated like family. Being so far away from my loved ones, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the hospitable gestures. I mean, the food was good -- but it was just a bonus.