“My parents are getting old, so I asked them to come to the shop a little later. I will help watch the shop here in the morning, and I will go back to rest after my parents arrive.”
With Li Youran's help, Zhao Lanzhi sat down. As she spoke, she hurriedly ordered the young man who was helping with odd jobs to bring her a bowl of top-quality fried liver and some of the shop's new steamed buns.
Fried liver is a popular local breakfast in Beijing.
Although it's called "fried liver," it's actually made primarily of pork intestines, with pork liver making up only a portion.
The preparation method involves first soaking and rubbing the pig intestines with alkali and salt, then washing them with water and vinegar before boiling. After boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot to ensure the intestines are thoroughly cooked without releasing oil.
After being thoroughly cooked, cut it into small sections, commonly known as "thimble sections." Then wash the fresh pig liver and slice it diagonally into willow leaf-shaped strips.
The seasoning is made by frying star anise in hot cooking oil until thoroughly cooked, then adding raw garlic. When the garlic turns yellow, immediately add an appropriate amount of yellow soybean paste, stir-fry until done, and store in a jar for later use.
In addition, some high-quality mushroom soup should be prepared. After the ingredients and seasonings are ready, start making the stir-fried liver. First, put the cooked intestine segments into the boiling soup, then add garlic sauce, chopped green onions, cornstarch, minced ginger, and mushroom soup. Then, put the raw liver strips into the pot, thicken with cornstarch, and finally sprinkle a layer of crushed garlic on top.
After taking a bite of fried liver, Li Youran's taste buds seemed to be awakened, and she immediately picked up a steamed bun with her chopsticks.
The steamed buns are small and delicate; a man could easily swallow one in one bite.
Li Youran took a bite and cut off half of it, the tender soup flowing out from the opening, incredibly delicious.
"I never imagined my second brother had such skills."
This was the first time Li Youran had eaten steamed buns made by Li Tairan, and she thought they were even tastier than Goubuli steamed buns.
"Your second brother may seem like a careless person, but he is actually very meticulous when it comes to cooking. He did a lot of research on the filling for these buns. Just talking about the soup inside the buns, he tried three or four different methods before finally figuring out the right way to make them."
Pregnant women get hungry very quickly. Seeing Li Youran eating so heartily, Zhao Lanzhi couldn't resist picking up a steamed bun and eating it herself.
She continued speaking while eating.
"It is said that teaching a disciple can starve the master, but he gave away the filling for the buns that he had painstakingly developed without reservation to the disciple who came to learn from him."
Li Youran knew that the Li family had made a living by selling steamed buns, so the importance of the recipe was self-evident, especially this improved and refined recipe, which was extremely precious.
Li Youran could understand why Li Tairan did this, since the Li family no longer relied on breakfast for a living; their main business was making pancakes, and steamed buns were just a side business.
Besides, if Li Tairan can develop one, he can develop two. The reason he did this is probably to promote his work and let more people know about the formula he developed.
However, Li Youran simply smiled and remained silent in response to Zhao Lanzhi's complaints. After all, matters between husband and wife shouldn't be distorted by outsiders.
Just as Li Youran was about to pick up another steamed bun, she felt a burning gaze fixed on her, making her feel very uncomfortable.
"Little friend, come here."
Li Youran smiled and waved to a child squatting on the street corner.
The child, dressed in rags and covered in dirt, but with incredibly clear eyes, immediately wanted to find a place to hide after hearing Li Youran's words.
But then he saw the plate of plump, white steamed buns on Li Youran's table, and couldn't help but swallow hard. Finally, he mustered his courage and cautiously walked towards Li Youran.
"Are you hungry? Let me treat you to some steamed buns."
As Li Youran spoke, she took out a handkerchief from her bosom and wiped the dirty little hands of the thin child. Then she took out a steamed bun and placed it in his hand.
The little boy was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly stuffed the bun into his mouth.
An adult man could easily swallow the bun whole, but the child was too small. The bun was stuffed directly into his mouth without any chewing, and since it was fresh out of the steamer and very hot, the little boy spat it out.
"Eat slowly, don't rush, all these buns are yours."
As Li Youran spoke, she pulled over a stool and let the little boy sit down and slowly eat his steamed bun.
Seeing this, Zhao Lanzhi asked the young waiter to bring her a bowl of millet porridge.
Looking at the pitiful little child, Li Youran couldn't bear to leave him, so after the child had eaten and drunk his fill, she took him to bathe and changed him into clean clothes.
For some reason, Li Youran felt that the child looked very familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before.
Just as Li Youran was about to give up, a figure suddenly flashed into his mind. Li Youran slapped his forehead and looked at the child with disbelief.
"Father and Mother, I have things to do. I'll come to see you again in a few days."
As Li Youran spoke, she hurriedly left with the child.
"Drive carefully."
Mother Li shouted loudly at the carriage that Li Youran was riding away, and then couldn't help but shake her head and sigh.
"You're getting married soon, and you're still so flustered. How can your mother not worry about you?"
“She is still the same as always, which is what makes us happy. It means that she has been living a comfortable life and has not been restricted.”
Mr. Li patted Mrs. Li on the shoulder, offering words of comfort.
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