Chapter 48 Soybeans and Pig Trotters
The pig's trotters were preliminarily prepared before we ate.
The blood has been soaked out as much as possible, so the next step is to blanch it.
As usual, put the ingredients in cold water with spices. This time, the main goal is to remove the fishy smell and also get rid of the unpleasant odor from the blood foam that wasn't soaked out earlier.
In the short time that followed, Jiang Zhi had already rushed to the cupboard, grabbed most of a bowl of soybeans and put them in the bowl. Then she fetched a ladle of water, soaked the soybeans in the water, and then took out the already prepared pig's trotters. Now, all that's left is to wait for the soybeans to swell before we can start stewing them.
*
Having done all that, Jiang Zhi knew that all that was left was time.
She stretched, her brows relaxed, and walked out of the kitchen.
It was no longer as hot as when she had transmigrated; even when a breeze blew at midday, it felt slightly cool.
Jiang Zhi thought about it and decided to buy two thermal underwear to prevent a sudden drop in temperature from freezing to death!
In my previous life, autumn in Sichuan wasn't considered hot; on the contrary, the temperature would drop rapidly due to the constant rain. Although I don't know what the climate will be like in this life, I still need to make some preparations.
Anyway, there's nothing to do right now.
After thinking for a while, Jiang Zhi finally found the shop where she had bought clothes and dresses before, which she had almost forgotten.
After tidying myself up a bit, I prepared to go buy some new clothes.
*
The female owner of the clothing store was still standing at the door as always, but she was no longer wearing the same thin ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).
Perhaps because of the strong wind at the door, she had already put on a thin, silver-gray padded jacket and a black pleated skirt with some embroidery. In addition, she was draped with a shimmering, colorful silk scarf.
At this moment, it might be because there are no customers in the store.
She was sitting leisurely at the main table, her legs half-crossed, her expression languid yet her eyes fixed on her hands, her long needle moving tirelessly through the fabric, and in no time, she had embroidered a peony.
From Jiang Zhi's perspective, although the peony's overall color tone was reddish, it also had a subtle, shimmering luster.
I didn't realize before, but this owner's cooking skills are pretty good!
She secretly praised him in her heart, and an idea instantly formed in her mind! She strode forward, greeted him, and interrupted the boss's self-admiration.
*
When the boss saw her, he probably remembered her and smiled.
"Oh, sir, you're here again! It's been a long time!"
As she spoke, she gently put down the half-finished fabric she was weaving and opened her arms with a smile.
Jiang Zhi, of course, understood what she meant, and excitedly rushed over, hugged her, patted her shoulder, and said:
"Let's not mince words today. Pick out a few suitable thermal outfits for me, and I'll pay in full!"
The female shop owner glanced at Jiang Zhi's figure, smiled and complimented her a couple of times, then pulled her deeper into the shop, saying as she did so.
"Isn't this perfect? I bought some fabric the other day to make thermal underwear, and it looks like it would suit you quite well. What do you think?"
As she spoke, she rummaged through the box and pulled out a light crimson jacket, embroidered with delicate floral patterns, with narrow sleeves and a sash tied around her waist.
As she introduced them, she helped Jiang Zhi adjust her collar and sleeves slightly.
Then he pulled her in front of the bronze mirror and made her look at herself in the mirror.
Perhaps because she had been eating well these past few days, Jiang Zhi had grown noticeably more proportionate, no longer possessing the delicate beauty of someone who could be encircled by a single hand. Yet, when seen in the bronze mirror, she possessed a beauty that was well-proportioned and balanced in terms of bone structure and flesh.
*
Just then, the female boss also praised her enthusiastically, making Jiang Zhi a little dizzy with admiration.
However, having learned from her previous experience, Jiang Zhi was more careful this time and didn't go all-in.
After trying on several outfits carefully selected by the shop owner, and after some hesitation, she finally decided to buy three.
One was this light crimson jacket, and the other was a light pink narrow-sleeved, front-opening short jacket, paired with a cream-colored silk satin skirt.
Finally, I also bought the same coat as the shop owner, mainly for warmth.
After finishing her shopping, Jiang Zhi picked up her basket and thought that since she had already come this far, she might as well take another stroll around the market.
And so, I comforted myself by thinking it was perfectly reasonable to go shopping again.
After buying some samples that girls like, some books, and a bunch of other random and miscellaneous items, I finally returned home with my bags full!
*
Upon arriving home, Jiang Zhi glanced at the time; it was already late afternoon. She hurried towards the kitchen.
She crushed a handful of beans, and sure enough, they swelled slightly.
Then I started preparing to make soybean and pig's trotter soup.
She was already very familiar with this dish, having made it about once a week in her previous life. Although resources were relatively scarce in ancient times, it did not affect Jiang Zhi's proficiency at all.
She first washed the clay pot again, then poured the prepared pig's trotters and soybeans into the pot together, placing the soybeans at the bottom and the pig's trotters on top.
Then pour a ring of rice wine over it to enhance the aroma and remove any unpleasant smell. After that, pour in several ladles of water to cover the pig's trotters, and then add the previously tied scallion segments and ginger slices.
After placing all the ingredients in the pot, Jiang Zhi put the lid on the clay pot and placed it on the fire, letting it simmer over high heat for a while.
When the bubbling sound inside grew louder, Jiang Zhi squatted down and turned the heat down a bit, letting the flames gently simmer the broth at the bottom of the pot.
After that, there was nothing else to do. The pig's trotters only needed to be stewed in a clay pot for about an hour and a half.
By then, the pot of soup will be thick and milky white, with the pig's trotters stewed until tender and melt-in-your-mouth! The soybeans will also be perfectly glutinous...
As she thought about it, Jiang Zhi couldn't help but feel a little hungry again. She looked at the pot in her hand and couldn't help but miss the pressure cooker she used to have. It only took half an hour to stew pig's trotters, and it was quick and delicious...
Then look at the pot now—
"Sigh," the girl sighed softly.
I can only console myself that this pot of food is absolutely authentic!
*
Just as Jiang Zhi was missing the pressure cooker, the main room started making a racket again.
Jiang Zhi's thoughts were interrupted, and she listened intently.
Yes, Gu Yuan is here again!
Ever since discovering that Zuo Tianyuan was a little brat who shared her stinky personality, Gu Yuanlai had been coming more and more frequently.
Both of them admired each other's early fame and heroic deeds as young generals who had achieved great success. They could boast about themselves and even boast about each other's achievements.
Jiang Zhi commented that the two had finally found someone on the same wavelength and were currently in a happy period, and no one could separate them.
In the past, Gu Yuan would usually come over at this time for this friend despite their age difference, so Jiang Zhi hadn't planned to go out and disturb him.
Until she seemed to hear her own name?
After she went outside, she saw the things Gu Yuan had specially brought for her this time, and realized that...
This time, she was really wrong.
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Author's Note: I've made some minor adjustments to the content, moving the last bit to the next chapter. [Please!]
If you've read this chapter, you can skip to the first page when the next chapter is updated!
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