Recently, Xiao Yi in the base shelter seemed to be completely isolated from the outside world and never went out.
The tightly closed door was like an invisible barrier, separating him from the outside world. Xiao Yi stayed in this slightly cramped space all day, looking somewhat lonely and tired.
His bed was in disarray, with the quilt haphazardly piled in a corner, as if he had lost the will to tidy it up. The corners of the room were cluttered with all sorts of debris: uneaten food packaging, scattered books, and some old clothes, creating a chaotic mess.
Xiao Yi often sat by the window, staring blankly at the unchanging scenery outside. His eyes were empty and lifeless, and no one knew what he was thinking. Sometimes, he would lie in bed all day, motionless, just staring at the ceiling, as if shrouded in a deep sense of powerlessness.
He no longer actively communicates with others like before, his phone is thrown aside, and he has no interest in the news outside. Occasionally, when someone knocks on the door, he just lazily answers it without getting up to open it.
The once energetic and fighting Xiao Yi seemed to have disappeared. Now he was immersed in his own world, as if he was escaping from something, or perhaps he was fighting a difficult struggle deep in his heart.
When you take a spoonful of Mapo Tofu, the first thing you notice is its delicate and smooth texture. With a gentle sip, the tofu melts on your tongue like a smooth pudding.
The tofu fully absorbs the rich broth, and every bite is full of rich flavor. The spicy taste instantly explodes in the mouth, a stimulating sensation that is a perfect blend of the numbing taste of Sichuan peppercorns and the spiciness of chili peppers. It quickly spreads from the tip of the tongue to the entire mouth, instantly igniting the taste buds.
Then, the mellow aroma of the bean paste and the spicy aroma of green onions, ginger and garlic gradually emerge, interweaving with the spicy taste to form a rich and unique complex taste.
With every bite, you can taste the freshness of the minced meat and the bean fragrance of the tofu, which complement each other very well. The graininess of the minced meat and the tenderness of the tofu form an interesting contrast, adding to the richness of the taste.
The Mapo Tofu has just the right balance of saltiness, neither too bland nor overpowering the flavors. A subtle sweetness lingers, perfectly balancing the spicy flavor and creating a harmonious overall taste.
The spicy, fresh flavor lingered in the mouth, making it impossible to stop. Bite after bite, it felt as if the whole body was warmed by the delicious heat. In this apocalyptic world, survival became the most difficult challenge. People searched for food, but in the end, even the bark of trees had been gnawed away. Hunger was a constant, tormenting presence.
Xiao Yi was no exception. His originally strong body became thin, and his eyes were filled with fatigue and desire for food.
However, right in front of him was a bowl of steaming hot Mapo Tofu. When the spicy and fragrant aroma wafted into his nostrils, his eyes lit up instantly, as if he had seen the most precious treasure in the world.
He couldn't wait to pick up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of tofu and put it in his mouth. At that moment, the tenderness of the tofu, the spicy stimulation, and the rich flavors of the seasoning blended together in his mouth, and the satisfaction it brought almost brought him tears.
The delicate tofu seemed like a touch of tenderness in this desolate world, soothing his hungry stomach. The spicy flavor assaulted his taste buds, awakening his numb sense of taste and allowing him to experience the long-lost beauty of life.
Every bite he took made him intoxicated, forgetting the cruelty and hardship of the end times. His face was filled with happiness and satisfaction, as if at this moment, all the suffering no longer mattered.
Xiao Yi ate voraciously, his mouth constantly emitting satisfied hums. That portion of Mapo Tofu not only filled his stomach, but also gave him the courage and strength to continue facing the end of the world.
Xiao Yi stood in front of the stove in the kitchen, preparing to carefully cook a dish of Dongpo pork.
He first took out a piece of pork belly from the refrigerator, which had distinct textures and fat, placed it on the chopping board, and rinsed it with hot water. Then, he picked up a kitchen knife and cut the pork belly into even-sized cubes.
Next, Xiao Yi added an appropriate amount of water to the pot, put in the chopped pork belly, and poured in some cooking wine. He lit the fire, and as the water temperature gradually increased, white foam began to emerge from the pot. He carefully skimmed off the foam with a spoon, then fished out the pork, rinsed it with warm water, and drained it for later use.
Taking a casserole, Xiao Yi spread a layer of ginger slices and green onion segments on the bottom of the pot, and then neatly placed the drained pork belly pieces skin-side down on top.
Next, he began to mix the seasoning. In a small bowl, he poured light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rock sugar, and rice wine, stirred them evenly, and then slowly poured the sauce into the casserole, making sure every piece of meat was submerged in the sauce.
When everything was ready, Xiao Yi lit the stove and simmered it slowly over low heat. The flames danced gently, and the soup in the casserole began to simmer slightly, emitting an enticing aroma.
During the stewing process, Xiao Yi checked from time to time and gently turned the meat with chopsticks to make them heat and color more evenly. As time went by, the pork belly gradually became bright red and the skin and meat began to become soft and glutinous.
After about an hour, Xiao Yi found that the soup had become thicker and the meat had reached the point of being tender. He finally turned up the heat to reduce the soup, allowing it to tightly wrap each piece of Dongpo pork.
After turning off the fire, Xiao Yi carefully brought the casserole to the table, and a pot of Dongpo pork with delicious color, aroma and taste was ready.
Xiao Yi stood by the stove, his eyes fixed on the Dongpo pork stewed in the casserole, gently adjusting the size of the fire with his hands, his expression focused and serious.
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