This really takes the biscuit

terence

Once in a while, I treat myself to a McDonalds Big Breakfast (one little guilty pleasure ... keep it between us, please!) . At least, I think it's a Big Breakfast since I live in Beijing and all is not always as it seems. The oriental-style Big Breakfast comprises a spoonful of watery, hastily-prepared scrambled egg, a faux beef patty (mini-me version), and a completely hashed brown. On the side, is a slightly dusted (I hope it's flour dust and not radioactive isotopes floating in from Japan) mini-muffin and a sachet of strawberry jam.

Firstly, is this a McDonalds' Big Breaklfast (or, at least, a fair Chinese replica)?

Secondly, I have a concern about calorie-count. There's an entry for McDonalds Big Breakfast (no biscuit) in the database. What do Americans regard as a biscuit? Is that the mini-muffin? Or is it some other fatty delight that I'm missing out on?

Supplementary question, apropos of nothing: What do the British mean when they say "This takes the biscuit?"

Terence

NikkisNewStart

The way you described it... are you sure this is a 'treat?' I hate to see what you eat when you punish yourself! :laugh:

purple_tux1

Can you ask them for the nutritional info? Perhaps this might be one where you input the calories directly.

Sounds to me like you don't think much of this breakfast, maybe there's something else that you'd enjoy more that would be worth the calories you're spending?

frugalmomsrock

I believe you'll find your answer somewhere on here... http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/ But I know I can't read it. *shrug*

Er-here, rather. I cut the wrong one. lol http://www.mcdonalds.com.cn/

MisterDubs303

What do Americans regard as a biscuit?

Same size, but twice as thick as what you would call a biscuit. Fluffy, but not sweet. Americans commonly split it in half and eat each half with butter and jelly, or split it and half and cover it with some kind of gravy. Either way is yummy. And either way is fattening.

kr3851

. On the side, is a slightly dusted (I hope it's flour dust and not radioactive isotopes floating in from Japan) mini-muffin and a sachet of strawberry jam.


Supplementary question, apropos of nothing: What do the British mean when they say "This takes the biscuit?"

The radioactive isotopes are called polenta in Australia - it's described as a 'polenta dusted English muffin'

And we Aussies say 'this takes the cake'. Which I prefer because it rhymes. It means that it's awesome. I don't know why.

adventuring

Supplementary question, apropos of nothing: What do the British mean when they say "This takes the biscuit?"

Terence

It means "This takes the cake" basically, or so I glean. Also, a British biscuit is an American cookie, in case you weren't familiar.

RedNeckGal1970

I'm not quite sure what to call the "guilty pleasure" that they served you... but here in America we would call it, "my daughter is learning to cook, and I'm going to gag it down so I don't hurt her feelings" been there, done that! That's rough! I'm thinking maybe you should find another place to eat for a real "guilty pleasure". Better luck next time.

As far as that takes the biscuit... well... I had to look it up, I've wondered the same thing... but never cared enough to look into it. But you peaked my curiosity. Here's what I come up with:
1) Well, that really takes the biscuit! = wins the prize; is the most interesting/shocking/admirable/best/worst example
2) If something takes the biscuit, it is the absolute limit.

This idiom is British English British English
Category: Food
View examples in Google: Take the biscuit

terence

What do Americans regard as a biscuit?

Same size, but twice as thick as what you would call a biscuit. Fluffy, but not sweet. Americans commonly split it in half and eat each half with butter and jelly, or split it and half and cover it with some kind of gravy. Either way is yummy. And either way is fattening.

Hmm ... now I'm confused. What I call a biscuit is definitely not fluffy, can't be split in half and is never covered in butter and jelly (jam?)

Our biscuit is your cookie. Your biscuit is our ... ?????

terence

Can you ask them for the nutritional info?

I think the correct term I'm looking for is LOL. You haven't lived in China have you? :laugh:
Good suggestion, but it won't fly here unfortunately.

Regards,
Terence

kr3851

What do Americans regard as a biscuit?

Same size, but twice as thick as what you would call a biscuit. Fluffy, but not sweet. Americans commonly split it in half and eat each half with butter and jelly, or split it and half and cover it with some kind of gravy. Either way is yummy. And either way is fattening.

Hmm ... now I'm confused. What I call a biscuit is definitely not fluffy, can't be split in half and is never covered in butter and jelly (jam?)

Our biscuit is your cookie. Your biscuit is our ... ?????

Maybe it's a scone?

terence

The way you described it... are you sure this is a 'treat?' I hate to see what you eat when you punish yourself! :laugh:

Good point. I think I need to visit my analyst again.

:frown:

TDGee

This is a typical McDonald's Big Breakfast: The biscuit is about 4 inches across.

terence

The radioactive isotopes are called polenta in Australia - it's described as a 'polenta dusted English muffin'

Fair dinkum? Trust a sheila from straya to know that, hey? Blimey, I feel like a complete drongo now.

And we Aussies say 'this takes the cake'. Which I prefer because it rhymes. It means that it's awesome. I don't know why.

Cripes. I thought it wuz somethink complicated. I'm such a dag!

:devil:

terence

Thanks. The consensus seems to be that I need to find a different guilty pleasure.

terence

YIKES!!!! THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M EATING!!!!!! :sick:

If that's what a Big Breakfast is and amounts to 380 calories, I'm penalising myself. What I'm eating is no way as super-calorific as that lot.

Oooooohhhh ... take it away ... take it away NOW.

:noway:

terence

Yes ... I agree. it's time to find other guilty pleasures with health benefits.

melibea

That big breakfast look SOOO delicious! But isn't that like 1000+ calories? My mom was talking about the calories in it just yesterday

terence

Is the biscuit the pancake in that pic?

kr3851

Is the biscuit the pancake in that pic?

The pancake is a pancake. I think the biscuit is the roll.

melibea

Is the biscuit the pancake in that pic?

no, it's the fluffy thing right by the coffee cup

kr3851

WTF is that squoodge of yellow stuff on the left? Is that meant to be egg?

melibea

WTF is that squoodge of yellow stuff on the left? Is that meant to be egg?

yeah that's like an egg mattress

Pebble321

Our biscuit is your cookie. Your biscuit is our ... ?????

An American biscuit is more like what we (Australia) would call a scone.

Not so sure that you're treating yourself for breakfast from your description. As someone from Australia to send you a packet of timtams, then you will REALLY have a treat

terence

I think I've inadvertently begun an international incident here.

Rolls, buns, biscuits, pancakes ... if anyone mentions flan, I'm walking out of this trilateral detente!

To quote Churchill: "Never in the history of this website, have so many been so confused over so little!"

He said something like that, anyway.

terence

That big breakfast look SOOO delicious! But isn't that like 1000+ calories? My mom was talking about the calories in it just yesterday

Yes ... judging by your pic, you really, really love those!!! NOT!!!!!

:laugh:

terence

Our biscuit is your cookie. Your biscuit is our ... ?????

An American biscuit is more like what we (Australia) would call a scone.

Not so sure that you're treating yourself for breakfast from your description. As someone from Australia to send you a packet of timtams, then you will REALLY have a treat

How did you know I just bought a packet of Tim Tams not more than 2 hours ago at the international store? Very expensive here. But it's a (very special) gift for a Chinese friend..

Pebble321

Muffin, roll, bun, cookie, biscuit, slice, brownie, cracker, cake, wafer......................FLAN!

There, I said it. But, don't go - you're funny!

terence

a scone? a scone? it's just a scone???

It's a pretty miserable excuse for a scone, at that.

So, I've established (with a little help from my friends, as the Beagles used to sing) that an American biscuit is a scone, a British biscuit is a cookie, the radioactiviy in Japan is actually fall-out from an Australian bakery, and a Chinese Big Breakfast is a complete fraud!!! Who'd have thought?

Thanks to all for your help.

Terence :laugh:

Pebble321

It's all too complicated.
Better stick to Timtams.

terence

It's all too complicated.
Better stick to Timtams.

Hey, you listen Kylie ... don't be trying to sabotage my plans!!!