Chapter 14 Roasted Lamb Leg
After boiling the plum juice, Jiang Zhi bent down and pulled out a few burning firewood from the blazing fire underneath.
That's why the heat was reduced.
After the plum juice boils, it should be simmered over low heat for two reasons: first, to save firewood, and second, to prevent the juice from boiling away completely.
When the water gradually turned into the color of dried plums, Jiang Zhi knew that the plum juice was almost ready. She then carefully added honey with chopsticks, which dissolved quickly when heated by the hot water.
After letting it simmer for a few more minutes, Jiang Zhi picked up a small spoon, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it a few times to make sure it was cool, and then brought it to her lips to taste:
Yes, it really does have that sweet and sour taste!
Jiang Zhi took a large bowl and poured the entire jar into it!
According to Jiang Zhi, plum juice tastes best when it's iced!
Not only is it sweet and sour, but it's also refreshing and cooling. One sip and you feel your whole body and mind cool down.
The more Jiang Zhi thought about it, the more she couldn't help but smack her lips. Then she looked down at the still steaming plum juice and sighed for no reason.
However, this hot plum juice does actually have its audience!
Let the kids drink it first!
After studying for so long, you should at least give your eyes and brain a rest, lest you ruin them.
As Jiang Zhi poured half a bowl into the small basin that was exclusively for Xiao Mahua, she thought to herself for no reason, and couldn't help but laugh at her own thoughts.
*
Little Twist is the most obedient person, if nothing else.
Jiang Zhi presented her with a bowl in both hands. Without asking a single question, she glanced at it with her clear, bright eyes and then gulped it down in large mouthfuls.
Seeing this, Jiang Zhi's restless hand wanted to pinch the good boy's cheeks again. He was so adorable!
Back then, in order to coerce and entice a child to drink some Chinese medicine, she used all eighteen kinds of kung fu, but none of them could prevent her from making that wailing, howling voice. In the end, she was forced to give up!
If it's a small twisted dough stick...
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but drift into a daydream.
Little Twist had no idea where her wicked older sister, Jiang Zhi, had already set her sights!
She was engrossed in drinking.
Although Jiang Zhi intentionally controlled the amount when pouring, this small bowl was still quite a lot for Xiao Mahua.
But Xiao Mahua drank it with great gusto!
Her small mouth opened slightly, and she swallowed with a gurgling sound.
The reason is simple: among all the bland, water-like drinks I've had, this new one is quite flavorful!
Although the plums were sour and astringent, Xiao Mahua, who was not good at expressing herself before, had a good understanding of it.
Or rather, there are very few people in the entire city who don't know the sourness and astringency of these dried plums.
However, Jiang Zhi boiled the astringent flavor into the water, subtly dissolving the slight astringency still present from picking it from the tree, and also significantly reducing the sourness. Combined with the neutralizing effect of honey, the resulting drink is a rich, sweet and sour delight!
This is way more potent than anything I've ever drunk in my less than ten years of life!
Having spent the whole morning reading, Xiao Mahua was inevitably a little tired and thirsty, so she gulped down the plum juice in one go.
So, when Jiang Zhi was startled awake from her aimless daze, Xiao Mahua's belly was unusually bulging.
When Jiang Zhi casually glanced down, she was startled by Xiao Mahua's unrestrained actions.
She quickly squatted down and gently massaged my belly with one hand while chuckling to Xiao Mahua. At the same time, she muttered something like, "I'll make more for her in the future, Ping'er, don't overeat," which was quite amusing.
*
After this experience, Jiang Zhi keenly sensed a business opportunity.
Xiao Mahua usually enjoys the food Jiang Zhi makes, but never to the point of being so addicted as she is today.
This dynasty developed many delicious foods, but its beverages were truly scarce. Therefore, Jiang Zhi's first venture, lemonade, became an instant bestseller.
Jiang Zhi pondered, perhaps her future street stall business could lean more towards this aspect?
However, Jiang Zhi decided to cook a Chinese meal first, without worrying about anything else for now!
What should I cook for Chinese food? Jiang Zhi frowned and thought for a while before finally deciding to treat herself.
Just in time, the plum juice arrived, so I decided to treat myself to a pure meat dish! I could also use the plum juice to cut through the richness—a win-win situation!
With everyone in her family gone, Jiang Zhi had no choice but to grab her wallet and go out to buy groceries!
As for seasonings, I usually keep some at home.
So my main responsibility is buying pure meat, as well as ingredients like scallions. As for meat, I ate pork a couple of days ago; chicken is about the same; and I'm very unlikely to get beef, as the ancients always believed in these things, unlike modern people who eat whatever they want without restraint.
Therefore, Jiang Zhi eventually set her sights on two targets: mutton and duck.
After strolling around the market, Jiang Zhi discovered that she only had one option left: surprisingly, there was no duck meat for sale at the market today!
So, they can only eat mutton! But thinking about the taste of modern grilled mutton skewers, Jiang Zhi silently swallowed.
As usual, Jiang Zhi approached the butcher's boss and, through gentle words, managed to get him a discount.
Jiang Zhi asked the man to cut off a leg of lamb, processed it on the spot, tied it up with a rope as usual, and then carried it back.
On her way home, Jiang Zhi made sure to buy some potatoes and scallions, not for any other reason than to add more flavor to the roasted mutton later!
Yes, although she hasn't arrived home yet, Jiang Zhi has already tentatively decided on today's lunch plan—roasted lamb!
Unfortunately, steaming or stewing lamb is a good option.
But Jiang Zhiwei loves to eat it grilled!
The aroma of mutton fat released by the flames is what makes Jiang Zhi so fascinated by this dish!
As she imagined it, Jiang Zhi couldn't help but swallow hard. At the same time, she made a resolution in her heart that she must buy a sheep and make a whole roasted lamb to satisfy her craving!
When Jiang Zhi bought the lamb leg, the butcher had already cleaned it for her. When she brought it home, it was indeed thoroughly cleaned.
So we can begin the first step: opening the flower knife.
When it comes to roasted lamb leg, the most important thing is to make sure it's flavorful! The most crucial physical step in getting it flavorful is making those decorative cuts.
If you make too many cuts on the lamb leg, not only will the inside be undercooked and the outside burnt if the heat isn't right, but the flavor won't be very good either. After all, you'll be roasting out all the juices that are locked inside the lamb, so it's no wonder it burns.
If too few decorative cuts are made, it's even less aesthetically pleasing.
—It doesn't absorb the flavor at all.
So, this first step in marinating, the decorative cutting, may seem simple, but it is actually incredibly meticulous.
Fortunately, Jiang Zhi was indeed experienced. She first roughly gestured with her fingers before making the cut.
After finishing cutting, Jiang Zhi blew on the cut and smiled with satisfaction.
She casually gestured, and sure enough, the interval between each decorative cut was about two finger joints!
After making the decorative cuts, it's time to start preparing the marinade.
Jiang Zhi then took out the scallions, ginger, garlic, shallots, Sichuan peppercorns, and other ingredients that she had prepared beforehand, placed them all on the nail board, and finely chopped them into minced pieces with a knife in both hands.
Then he kneaded the fine foam onto the lamb leg, stroke by stroke.
This step is precisely to allow the lamb leg to absorb the flavor!
A note from the author:
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Here's today's update. There will be continuous updates for the next three days! [cheering emojis]
P.S.: Please feel free to call me in the comments or on the page if you have any dishes you'd like to eat!
The little brain is already trying its best to work.
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