When everything was ready, the grandfather and grandson stood together in front of the chopping board. Xu Mengyao skillfully stacked the two pieces of dough together, gently rolled them up, and then cut them into even strips.
Put the cut dough strips into a large bowl, then add appropriate amount of salt, MSG, chili oil, and a few drops of vinegar. Finally, add the cut gluten, cucumber shreds and carrot shreds, and stir carefully until all the ingredients are fully blended and fragrant.
She divided the dough into two portions, placed them on plates, and sat down at the table with the yellow milk, sharing this unique summer delicacy. The first bite offered a blend of soft and chewy textures, the spicy aroma of chili oil paired with the freshness of shredded cucumber, and the tartness of rice vinegar, a truly appetizing experience that left a lasting impression.
Huang Nai ate most of the plate in silence before he couldn't help but look up and praise: "This is really delicious, more appetizing than gluten soup, and it tastes cool, which is perfect for this hot weather."
Xu Mengyao smiled and replied, "Yeah, you can always trust me. In fact, if you add mung bean sprouts, the taste will be even better. I'll buy some tomorrow and make you a different kind of rolled dough to try."
In the evening, the whole family sat around the table and tasted the dough that Xu Mengyao had prepared herself, and everyone praised it highly. However, in Xu Mengyao's opinion, the taste of this delicacy still needs to be improved. After all, it was a spur-of-the-moment creation, and the ingredients at home were limited. In addition, the steamed dough was not thin enough, which had a lot to do with the container used for steaming.
She had seen a professional device for steaming dough - a mianluo, a stainless steel container with a solid bottom, specially used for making thin and transparent dough.
Just as she was lost in thought, Huang Nai's words interrupted her thoughts: "What do you think? Can we sell the dough made by Juanzi? We only make one pot of popcorn a day now, and I have nothing to do anyway. This dough will definitely sell well."
The family members all expressed their agreement. Xu Mengyao looked at the excited Huang Nai and said helplessly, "Nai, don't worry. I do have the idea of selling noodles, but the most important thing is not yet available. We still need to think about it in the long run."
"Just tell me what you need!" The family members all looked at her, full of curiosity and expectation.
"We need a noodle gong specially used for steaming dough, just like the sieve we use to sift noodles at home, but the bottom must be solid, and the overall material should preferably be stainless steel." As she spoke, she turned her eyes to Huang's father, full of anticipation.
Upon hearing this, Huang's father immediately said, "I'll take care of this matter. What about the thickness of the thing you mentioned?"
Xu Mengyao's eyes lit up when she heard that, and she replied, "The thinner the better, and it would be best if we could make a few more."
"Okay, I'll have someone make one for you tomorrow and show it to you, okay?" Father Huang agreed readily.
After getting Huang's father's promise, Xu Mengyao began to plan the materials she needed to buy. The most important thing in making snacks is to have your own unique recipe. She had to think carefully about how to make the sauce more delicious and make a special dough that is unforgettable.
The next morning, Xu Mengyao was up at dawn, heading to the market. She first visited the spice section, where a dazzling array of spices exuded an alluring aroma. She carefully selected common condiments like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and dill—all essential ingredients for creating her unique sauces.
Next, she headed to the bustling market to buy some vegetables. While browsing the stalls, she spotted an elderly man selling homemade pickled sweet radishes. The vibrant color of the pickled mustard greens immediately caught her eye. Without hesitation, Xu Mengyao bought some, knowing these crispy pickles would be the perfect complement to her rolled dough.
When I came out, I came across someone selling peanut butter and bought some without hesitation. Thinking that there was very little sesame oil left at home, I went to the oil mill and bought half a pound of fresh sesame oil. The rich aroma made me feel refreshed.
When they returned home after finishing all the shopping, Grandma Huang was already waiting for them at the door. The two of them smiled at each other and then started to get busy.
Xu Mengyao expertly heated a wok of oil and first added a plate of peanuts. The golden peanuts tumbled in the oil, emitting a tantalizing aroma. She then poured more oil into the wok, adding Sichuan peppercorns, fennel, scallions, onion slices, cinnamon, and ginger slices. She simmered the mixture over low heat until the essence of the spices was fully absorbed. She then removed the spices with a slotted spoon, leaving a pot of hot oil brimming with fragrance.
Next, the chili flakes and white sesame seeds were poured into the hot oil and simmered over low heat. Fine bubbles formed on the surface of the oil as the chili flakes and sesame seeds tumbled in the oil, gradually releasing a wonderfully spicy and fragrant aroma. For a moment, the courtyard was filled with an alluring aroma, attracting Aunt Feng from across the street to peek in frequently, her eyes filled with curiosity and envy.
Working in perfect harmony, the grandparents poured the simmered chili oil into a bowl and began preparing the other ingredients. She crushed the peanuts with a rolling pin and chopped the radish and pickled mustard greens into small pieces. Once she was done, she took out a large bowl and added the pre-prepared mung bean sprouts, shredded cucumber and carrot, and gluten cubes. She sprinkled the crushed peanuts and pickled mustard greens on top, then added a pinch of salt and MSG for flavor.
Finally, she gently poured two spoonfuls of homemade chili oil, added a few drops of sesame oil, and stirred carefully with chopsticks until all the ingredients were fully blended and the color was attractive.
Spread the mixed ingredients evenly on the dough, then roll it up tightly, and a delicious rolled dough is born.
Xu Mengyao handed the first portion of dough to Huang Nai to taste. Seeing the old lady's face full of anticipation, her heart was filled with warmth. Huang Nai took a bite and instantly revealed an expression of surprise and satisfaction, which made her know that her efforts had not been in vain.
Huang Nai exclaimed in praise: "Oh my goodness, this tastes amazing! Juanzi, roll another one for me, and put more chili oil this time, I love this spicy taste!"
After receiving Huang Nai's approval, Xu Mengyao was in a good mood and immediately prepared a second roll of dough for Huang Nai. This time, she deliberately increased the amount of chili oil to make the whole roll of dough look more tempting. The bright red color seemed to be telling of its passion and vitality.
She herself relished this handmade delicacy. The dough, wrapped with varying degrees of crispness, offered a rich texture, along with the rich gluten, fragrant crushed peanuts, and occasional crunch of sweet radish and preserved mustard greens. The sweet and sour flavors infused the palate with a double dose of tantalizing sweetness. The soft, springy dough intertwined with the crisp filling, creating a truly captivating experience in every bite.