Since moving into this shop, the Fang family has never had a break.
Another thorough cleaning was done, and the partitioned storefront was renovated. Fang Da even took Pan Jinhua's advice and had a wooden table made, which was placed at the entrance.
When the time comes, just put the braised food in a bowl and place it directly on the table.
While Fang Da was busy with outside affairs, Wu Shi took her daughter Fang Xiaoxiao to start making the braising liquid.
The recipe for Pan Jinhua clearly lists the spices needed, but the proportions of the ingredients still need to be figured out by themselves, since the recipe only specifies the appropriate amount.
Chinese cuisine is characterized by its unique flavors; please use as needed.
He went to buy the spices, but the boy was clever; he bought some that were on the recipe and others that weren't. After all, it was a recipe given by the old lady, and he was very confident in it, so he started taking precautions even before he began making it.
Mrs. Wu chopped up the chicken she bought from the butcher, threw it all into a pot to cook, and also threw in a few eggs. The old lady said that these braised eggs would be very flavorful.
Once the aroma of the chicken filled the air, Ms. Wu skimmed off the foam from the pot and scooped out the chicken and eggs. Since she was still experimenting with the spice and sauce ratios, she only took out a small portion of the chicken.
At this moment, Fang Xiaoxiao washed the pot clean and put it back on the stove. She poured the small portion of cooked chicken and the braising spices into the pot, then poured in the sauce she had just prepared, and then poured in some good liquor.
Cover the pot and let it simmer.
The cooking process lasted for half an hour. A quarter of an hour earlier, the Fang family had already gathered around the stove, and the intoxicating aroma permeated the kitchen, wafting out through all obstacles.
Its rich, savory aroma is so strong that it could be smelled from miles away.
"This fragrance is so overpowering."
Fang Xiang felt he had complete confidence in the formula, but at this moment he realized he had underestimated it.
"Dad, this is definitely going to be a huge hit!"
"It smells so good! If we put this out here, I'm sure a lot of people would want to buy it, Daddy."
Fang Xiaoxiao was also very excited. If the family had a substantial increase in income, they would be able to support themselves in the future.
Fang Da and Wu Shi were even more excited, but being adults, they managed to remain relatively composed.
"Make a few more recipes, boil them all, and then try them to see which one tastes the best."
“My dear husband, you’re absolutely right. I’ll keep working on the prescription. Let’s hurry up and get it ready as soon as possible so we can open for business soon.”
The family of four worked together and came up with about ten different recipes. After comparing them several times, they finally chose the best one.
For the past two days, the Fang family's courtyard has been filled with a rich and fragrant aroma, and even the Fang family members feel as if they have been marinated in the flavor.
The people who suffered the most were not them, but the shops around him.
A couple of days ago, a wonderful fragrance suddenly wafted out, making everyone who smelled it drool. You know, even the food in restaurants doesn't smell as good as this.
The aroma was so rich and meaty that it lingered for days, making the shop's servants and manager drool. They discovered it came from the shop next door, which had just been sold and was still under renovation. They wondered what it was that smelled so good they couldn't eat.
Unfortunately, the shop keeps its doors and windows tightly closed every day. I want to ask, but I'm afraid it would be impolite and I might be abrupt. I just hope that the shop will open soon so that they can see what kind of delicious food it is.
Even passersby have become aware of this shop, which hasn't opened yet, because it smells so good and they feel like they'd be missing out if they didn't try it.
Everything was ready. The shop was renovated, but the storefront was small, so there was no plan to put tables and chairs inside. He only prepared tables and chairs for himself to use for daily bookkeeping. When he opened the door, he would put the table he had set up against the doorway, with a gap for easy access to his house.
Then, place bowls of braised food on the table, each with wooden skewers inserted and a price tag attached to each.
Fang Da opened the almanac, chose an auspicious day, set off a string of firecrackers, and unveiled the plaque covered with red silk, which read "Li's Braised Food". The surrounding shops, knowing that his family had opened, also offered their congratulations.
Fang Da took a plate and, with his daughter, greeted the surrounding shops, leaving each shop a small bowl or so of spicy strips for the shopkeepers to try.
"Since we're new here, please try our new stuff. If you like it, feel free to buy it. My eldest son is minding the shop."
The other shopkeepers were also very polite; some offered him tea, and the pastry shop owner even gave him some pastries as a gift. There was no one who liked to take advantage of others.
"Is this what you sell?"
"That's right, but these spicy strips aren't our top pick. Our braised dishes are absolutely amazing. If you'd like, you can buy some to try."
Fang Xiang stayed in the shop to watch over the business, but before he could even call out, a crowd of people had already gathered in front of the shop. Their enthusiasm startled Fang Xiang.
Manager Liu is the owner of the rice shop next door. He has always called himself a gourmand and knows how to eat well. His appearance lives up to his reputation as a gourmand, with broad shoulders and a round belly.
Even before Li's Braised Food Shop opened for business, he was already captivated by the aroma of their braised dishes. For the past few days, he had been craning his neck to look at them, eagerly anticipating their opening.
He saw the signboard was installed last night and quickly inquired about today's opening day. So, he went to the rice shop early this morning to keep watch.
Taking advantage of the proximity, he immediately went to the first place in line and glanced at the table.
Braised eggs: two coins each.
Braised chicken legs, chicken frames, chicken feet, and chicken giblets all cost over twenty coins per pound. Braised pig's trotters are the most expensive, costing one hundred coins per pound.
There was some braised bean curd skin, and braised bean sprouts were relatively cheap, three coins a pound, but it wasn't cheap either.
“Brother, this pork is only 150 coins per catty, but your chicken scraps are more expensive than the pork.”
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