Chapter 85 Clear Broth Matsutake Mushrooms

Su Xiaonuan's heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out, "How about calling it 'inkstone'?"

Zhao Liyue paused for a moment, then chuckled and teased, "I didn't expect you to be so cultured. An inkstone... hmm, that sounds much more sophisticated than a sesame seed ball."

Su Xiaonuan scratched her head sheepishly, blinked and smiled, but in her heart she was already thinking about the name that had suddenly appeared.

This cat is a companion given to me by the system, destined to be extraordinary, so its name cannot be chosen casually.

Moreover, the name "Yantai" is both unique and natural, and she likes it more and more the more she reads it.

"Then it's settled! From now on, you'll be called Yantai!" Su Xiaonuan happily rubbed her nose against the kitten's forehead.

The little one seemed to accept the name, sticking out her little tongue with barbs and gently licking her fingers.

The naming incident lightened the mood considerably.

Su Xiaonuan checked today's system tasks: [Daily Task: Successfully sell 50 bowls of 'Clear Broth Matsutake Mushrooms' near Snow Lake Park today. Reward: 450 Merit Points.]

Near Snow Lake Park

There again.

Thinking of the bizarre murder case she had heard about there last time, Su Xiaonuan couldn't help but look down at the inkstone in her arms.

Perhaps... this time, as a "clue finder" certified by the system, I can notice something that I overlooked last time?

She decided to set up her stall in the afternoon, around afternoon tea time.

The central area of ​​Snow Lake Park is still closed due to the case, but the surrounding areas are not blocked.

The afternoon sun is shining brightly, and there should be some nearby residents or adventurous tourists taking a stroll around the area.

In the afternoon, Su Xiaonuan drove Zhao Liyue and the freshly made "inkstone" to the outskirts of Xuehu Park again.

She deliberately chose a place a little far from the central lake area, but close to a grove of trees and benches, with a fairly pleasant view, to stop.

Sure enough, just as she expected, there were far fewer people around than usual. Only a few elderly people living nearby were sitting on benches basking in the sun, or some bold young people were gazing into the distance at the lake area that was cordoned off, whispering among themselves.

Su Xiaonuan parked the car and began preparing the ingredients.

Today we're selling [Clear Broth Matsutake Mushrooms].

This dish sounds simple, but it actually requires a great deal of skill in preserving the original flavor of the ingredients and making the soup.

She started by dealing with the main ingredient—matsutake mushrooms.

The matsutake mushrooms provided by the system are of excellent quality, with plump caps, brownish-red color, and a unique, rich, and refreshing mountain forest aroma.

She simply wipes away the surface dirt and impurities with a soft cloth, never rinsing with water, in order to preserve its freshness to the greatest extent.

Then, with a quick knife, slice it into evenly thick pieces. The cross-section of the matsutake mushroom is white, with clear texture, and it emits an even richer, more unique aroma.

Next comes simmering the soup base.

She uses old hens and pork bones, simmering them over low heat for several hours to create a clear broth that has been filtered out of all oil and impurities. The broth is crystal clear, yet contains an extremely fresh and mellow flavor.

She reheated the broth, added a few slices of succulent ham for flavor, and then added a few plump goji berries for color.

Since she sells soups, and in a relatively light style, Su Xiaonuan did not use high heat to cook them.

She placed the sliced ​​matsutake mushrooms into small, delicate white porcelain bowls, then ladled in boiling, clear broth. The broth instantly submerged the matsutake slices, and steam rose up, bringing out the matsutake's bold yet subtle umami aroma, mixed with the salty fragrance of ham and the slight sweetness of goji berries.

The fragrance wasn't strong or overpowering, but rather subtle and ethereal, like invisible, hooked threads that silently permeated the air and precisely penetrated the nasal cavity of everyone nearby.

At first, the passersby who were sitting on the benches chatting or pointing in the direction of the lake area did not pay attention.

But soon, someone unconsciously sniffed, a look of confusion and fascination on their face.

"Hmm? What's that smell? It smells so good..."

"It smells like... mushrooms? But not quite, it's even fresher!"

"Who's making soup this late in the afternoon? It's making me so hungry..."

On this early autumn afternoon, although the weather was gradually cooling down, the afternoon sun still carried a lingering heat, making people feel a little restless.

At this moment, the incredibly fresh aroma of the soup, like a clear mountain spring, quietly flows through my heart, instantly soothing the heat.

What could be more comforting than a bowl of steaming hot, incredibly delicious clear soup on such a leisurely afternoon?

Although the location is somewhat delicate.

Su Xiaonuan has set a very affordable price for this soup; you can get a small bowl of high-quality matsutake mushroom soup for just two yuan.

She prepared a fairly large thermos to hold the hot soup, and next to it stood a small blackboard that read, "Clear soup with matsutake mushrooms, 2 yuan/bowl, while supplies last."

Soon, passersby, drawn by the aroma, gathered around.

They looked at Su Xiaonuan and her stall with obvious surprise on their faces.

"Young lady, what are you doing setting up a stall here?" an older woman couldn't help but ask, pointing to the area not far away where the police tape was put up. "Such a big incident just happened over there, it's so unlucky! Besides, there aren't many people here right now, so business must be tough."

"Yes, young lady, you're quite bold for your age. You should go somewhere else; safety first," another old man advised.

As they talked, they couldn't help but pull out some change: "But... this soup smells really good! Give me a bowl to try!"

"I'll have a bowl too!"

With a sweet smile on her face, Su Xiaonuan quickly collected the money, then used a wooden spoon to scoop out the piping hot, clear soup with matsutake mushroom slices, goji berries and a little bit of golden oil from the thermos, poured it into a white porcelain bowl and handed it to the guest.

The first woman to take the bowl carefully blew on it before taking a small sip.

Instantly, her eyes widened!

The broth explodes with an intense freshness on the taste buds the moment it touches the mouth!

The rich and savory broth perfectly complements the unique aroma of matsutake mushrooms, a complex blend of woody, earthy, and almond notes that is indescribably delicious yet incredibly natural and mellow, without the slightest hint of MSG.

The subtle saltiness of the ham perfectly enhances the overall flavor profile, while the goji berries add a delicate, lingering sweetness.

As the hot soup went down, a warm current spread through my body, not only soothing my stomach but also seemingly dispelling much of the psychological gloom brought on by the murder news and the eerie location.

"My goodness! This soup... is so delicious!" the woman exclaimed, not caring that it was too hot, and drank several more mouthfuls, her face full of enjoyment and satisfaction.

The other people who bought the soup had almost the same reaction.