jdhmnovel Chapter 297 Barbecue Makes its Comeback
Chapter 297 Barbecue Makes its Comeback
Before they could finish speaking, Yunniang had already gone into the kitchen and started working.
"I'll help you start the fire."
Xu Anyang also wanted to see Yunniang's abilities, so he followed her in.
He was kicked out the next moment.
"You are the head steward, how can you be the one to do the work of tending the fire..."
Yunniang was filled with fear and unease. Although she didn't show it on her face, her servile nature had not yet faded away.
If it weren't for Xu Yiyi's explicit prohibition against her referring to herself as a servant and forbidding her from kneeling...
His knees are probably already hitting the ground by now.
The shelves in the kitchen were piled high with ingredients. Yunniang had been going out to sea with them for several years, and she could only recognize the ribbonfish, yellow croaker, and a few yellow croakers.
Various kinds of crabs, clams, and sea snails are piled up.
Dried hams hung on wooden racks, pickled bamboo shoots were stored in earthenware jars, and freshly ground rice flour peeked out from cloth bags.
"Use all the ingredients inside."
Xu Yiyi noticed her hesitation and then asked Aunt Zhao, who was outgoing, to go in and help her start the fire.
"From the north?"
Qingshan pressed for more information, and Xu Yi nodded.
“There are people from the north in my caravan. At first, they couldn’t get used to our food, but after asking around, they found out that they prefer strong, rich, and robust flavors.”
Qingshan rambled on, "Later, I also hired a cook from the north, and the dishes she makes are very hearty and substantial."
After saying that, he took another big gulp of water.
"If she has good skills, she can attract a lot of merchants from the north."
After all, countless caravans come and go from Ping'an Town every day.
Yunniang was skilled at making noodles, and the first thing she did after thinking was to knead the dough.
She did this step better than Xu Yiyi, so she couldn't face the consequences.
She watched as Yunniang kneaded the dough until it was smooth and delicate, then divided it into several portions with fluid and effortless movements, which amazed her.
The first dish is "oil swirl".
Yunniang spread a small piece of dough into a thin sheet, brushed it with lard, sprinkled it with fine salt and chopped green onions, rolled it up, flattened it, and put it into a hot iron pot.
Before long, the aroma filled the air. The oil swirls in the pan gradually puffed up, their surface golden and crispy, while the inside remained distinct and layered.
"This is a dish from my hometown. My family always makes it whenever I go out."
As Yunniang spoke, her eyes dimmed slightly, and she gently turned the fried dough with a spatula, saying, "It's all about being crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; it's most delicious when eaten hot."
Xu Yiyi watched her work, noticing that the stove was dirty and she would wipe it clean with a rag from time to time, and she would wash her hands after touching anything dirty.
His eyes unconsciously fell on Lao Lu beside him.
Old Lu casually picked at his teeth. "What are you doing?"
Old Lu's eyes looked somewhat blank.
"fine!"
Xu Yiyi wrinkled her nose, then turned her gaze to the kitchen.
Yunniang divided the remaining dough into two portions. She added brown sugar to one portion and kneaded it until smooth, then made it into small pieces. She left the other portion untouched.
After heating the oil in the pan, she flattened the white dough and put it into the pan, then placed the brown sugar dough on top. She quickly spun it with chopsticks to blend the two together while keeping their textures distinct.
"What is this again?"
Aunt Zhao glanced at it curiously.
“This is called sugar-fried dough cake,” Yunniang explained. “People from the north love sweets, but this combination of sweet and salty makes it less cloying.”
Xu Yiyi watched intently, when she saw Yunniang bring out a small pot, pour in water and bring it to a boil, add crushed peanuts and sesame seeds, and sprinkle in a handful of millet.
Stirring continuously, the porridge gradually thickened. Then, chopped greens and a little salt were added, and finally, a few drops of sesame oil were drizzled on top.
Finally, debone and shred the half-sea bass, mix it with shredded carrots and scallions, season with salt, vinegar and a little sugar, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and make a refreshing cold dish.
"Cold Three Shredded Vegetables Salad!"
Xu Anyang watched as Aunt Zhao extinguished the fire, then went inside and placed several dishes on a tray before bringing them out.
"My lady, please try it and see if it suits your taste."
Yunniang glanced at it nervously, then stood aside, clenching her hands.
Qingshan first picked up a piece of fried dough twist. The moment he bit into it, the crispy outer layer cracked between his teeth, while the inside was soft, savory, and the scallion flavor was just right.
Take another sip of the salty porridge, and the rich flavor of peanuts intertwines with the delicate aroma of millet, making it several times more delicious than ordinary white porridge.
Old Lu looked on with a bit of a craving and asked Sihai to bring him a sugar-coated fried dough.
It tastes pretty good after you take a bite.
It's just that eating makes my teeth hurt.
He put it down after only a couple of bites.
Yunniang became even more nervous upon seeing this, fearing that she would be sent back to the brokerage firm again.
Xu Yiyi's heart softened, and she picked up the sugar-coated fried dough and took a bite. It was sweet but not greasy, and it went perfectly with the salty porridge.
"Try this!"
Xu Yi ordered some cold shredded vegetables, and Qingshan picked up a piece with his chopsticks.
The taste was somewhat unexpected.
The sea bass strips are tender, the carrots are crisp, and the sourness of the vinegar easily brings out the sweetness of the fish.
"Alright! From now on, you're officially part of the restaurant. Do a good job! We'll pay you later."
Xu Yiyi didn't keep anyone in suspense; as soon as she finished speaking, Yunniang covered her face and laughed.
Then, without realizing it, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
Now I finally have a safe and secure place to go.
Yunniang couldn't help but feel a little excited.
"I'll try it!"
Seeing that Qingshan had finished eating, Sihai picked up the rest and distributed them.
The others in the courtyard, however, enjoyed a novel experience.
"I'm going back to the ship to catch up on some sleep. Save me something good for lunch."
Qingshan wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, got up, pinched Sihai's little face, and then went out.
After tasting the dishes, they got busy again.
"Anyang, you and Lao Lu go and carry out the metal rack from the storeroom. We're selling barbecue today!"
The weather was hot for the first two months. Xu Yiyi stood in front of the iron plate, the heat was intense, and she was sweating profusely.
She lost a full ten pounds.
We had no choice but to stop the barbecue.
With the weather getting cooler, it's time for barbecues to make a comeback.
"We happen to have sea snakes. We'll make some into golden broth sea snake slices and some into sea snake skewers."
Upon hearing this, Lao Lu's eyes lit up.
Without anyone urging him, he carried it all out by himself.
Simply incredible.
"Hurry up and make it, I didn't get enough last time."
Old Lu said with a wronged expression that even the fattest sea snakes he caught some time ago weren't enough to feed several people.
"Sister Yi's metal skewers are getting a bit moldy."
Xu Anyang carried a basket of iron skewers out of the storeroom, and Lao Lu immediately pretended to get to work.
"You'd better wash it clean properly, or you won't get any food today."
Xu Yiyi said coldly, and Lao Lu, feeling guilty, quickly took the iron skewer.
There was nothing I could do; he was the one who washed the metal skewers before putting them in the storeroom.
It gets moldy because it wasn't washed properly.
"Anyang, go and buy a few pounds of pork belly and some tofu."
Xu Yiyi took money out of her pocket and gave it to Xu Anyang.
Sihai, with his round little belly, stood in the corner of the wall, his eyes wide open, like a little frog.
He used to do all this work.
Why didn't my older sister let him run errands anymore?
Sihai pouted, looking unhappy.
"Sihai, come help Big Sister skewer the meat!"
Xu Yiyi could tell what the child was thinking at a glance, and immediately started giving him orders.
The child skipped along happily. Old Lu washed a skewer clean and then threaded a skewer of snake meat onto it.
The two worked together very well.
……
"Why is it this kid? Should we tie him up, Second Master?"
Gao Haoming crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Xu Wenli rolled his eyes at him.
"If we're going to arrest someone, we should arrest the most important one. This kid is tall and strong; tying him up will attract attention."
The two men, one standing and one sitting in the teahouse across the street, kept staring at the restaurant.
"Alright, then let's wait a bit longer."
Gao Haoming spoke impatiently, leaning against the window, looking very irritable.