Yunniang and Chen Fang didn't say much after hearing this, but just exchanged a silent glance.
The two of them had visited Zhang Niangzi's house before, wanting to see how she was doing.
However, she was met with cold indifference from Madam Zhang.
At the time, the two were afraid that Pei Yao would be affected by this, so they did not tell her.
Judging from Pei Yao's current state, it seems she will end up like the other two when she leaves.
……
Making cured pork is not difficult. As long as the seasonings are made well, the cured pork will taste good.
The butcher had already processed the half-pig that Pei Yao bought today according to her request.
Cut the meat into even strips, then use the tip of a knife to poke a hole in each strip so that a rope can pass through.
For pork intended for smoking, avoid washing it with water. Instead, coat the entire piece of pork with high-proof liquor.
This step not only removes the fishy smell and enhances the aroma, but also allows the smoked and dried meat to be stored for a long time.
Pei Yao taught Yunniang and the others how to apply the wine: "Mother, Aunt, when you apply the wine, try to make sure to apply it to every piece of meat and don't miss any corner."
While they were applying the white wine, Pei Yao was not idle. She stir-fried some seasonings for marinating cured meat. First, she stir-fried the salt until it turned light yellow, and then she turned off the heat and stir-fried the peppercorns, green onions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant.
Then, together with Yunniang and the others, they spread all the seasonings evenly over the meat.
Place the shredded meat into a wooden basin and cover it with a lid.
Place it in a corner and patiently wait for it to marinate.
It's cold now, so meat won't spoil even if you leave it there, let alone meat that's been rubbed with salt and strong liquor.
After marinating for about three to five days, Pei Yao never forgot to turn the meat in the basin over every day so that every piece of meat could be marinated thoroughly.
After marinating, Pei Yao took out all the meat and rinsed it with warm water.
We have some bamboo leaves that Pei Dalang cut down from the mountain these past two days.
Pei Yao took the leaves and peeled off the core of each bamboo leaf.
Only two resilient bamboo leaves remained.
Then, roast the leaves over a fire until they are slightly soft, and then you can braid them into a three-strand braid.
The braided bamboo leaves made this way are even stronger than hemp rope when used to hang pork.
Pei Yao strung all the marinated pork in the basin together with bamboo leaves.
Then hang them all up in the yard to air dry.
In the past, when Pei Yao smoked cured meat, she would hang it above the hearth where she would warm herself.
This way, you can smoke meat while warming yourself by the fire in winter.
However, the Pei family courtyard did not have a hearth for smoking cured meat.
So Pei Yao asked Pei Dalang and Pei Erlang to build a small area for her with mud bricks and put a few thick sticks on it so that she could hang cured meat.
Next, we'll start a fire in a brazier.
Pei Yao has been taking everyone to the mountains every day to cut some fresh cypress leaves and bamboo leaves.
Pei Yao even collected the orange peels that the family had been eating recently.
The Pei family doesn't really like oranges, so there aren't many orange peels, but there are other people in the village who do like oranges.
Upon hearing that Pei Yao wanted orange peels, which were not worth much, the villagers began sending the Pei family their leftover orange peels every day.
The people of Liangshui Village couldn't understand what Pei Yao and her companions wanted the orange peels for.
At first, I thought I misheard, so everyone brought me whole oranges instead of orange peels.
Pei Yao looked at the large bags of oranges that the villagers had brought to the courtyard.
For a moment, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Aunt Fang, I only want the orange peels, why did you bring over such big bags of oranges?"
Aunt Fang was taken aback: "You want orange peels? What do you need that for?"
Aunt Fang looked puzzled; she didn't quite understand why Pei Yao wanted the orange peel.
The others also asked with puzzled expressions, "Exactly, what can you do with orange peels? They're so bitter and astringent, does Miss Pei think she can make them into something delicious?"
"This orange peel is sour and astringent, how can it be made into something delicious?"
"Maybe. After all, Miss Pei is so capable. She managed to turn so many inedible things into delicious dishes."
"......."
As everyone's comments became increasingly exaggerated, Pei Yao quickly interrupted them with a laugh.
He explained, "Aunties, don't misunderstand. I just need the orange peels to smoke cured meat, not to cook with."
Aunt Fang was the first to raise a question: "Cured meat? What is cured meat?"
Aunt Niu Er next to her also said, "Yes, what is cured meat? I only know about pickled meat, this is the first time I've heard of cured meat."
"The idea of cured meat must have come up with by Miss Pei herself. Miss Pei is so clever."
Pei Yao looked at the obviously admiring gazes of everyone around her and didn't know how to explain it for a moment.
"Aunties, it's not my own idea, but a custom in my hometown. Everyone makes cured meat for the New Year, just like you do."
Yunniang behind Pei Yao: "?"
What are the customs of our hometown? How come I don't know about that?
Yunniang was still puzzled, but she quickly thought of the time when Pei Yao was missing. She figured that Yao'er must have learned it during that time.
After hearing Pei Yao's words, the villagers brought over oranges that were really just orange peels.
Pei Yao put the orange peels she had collected in the empty courtyard next door to dry.
Then they started smoking the cured meat.
Smoking cured meat does not require an open flame.
Simply burn some charcoal at the bottom, then throw fresh cypress leaves, bamboo leaves, and orange peels on top and burn them together.
Fresh cypress leaves, bamboo leaves, and semi-dried orange peels are not flammable.
However, it produces a lot of smoke, and the leaves and orange peels emit a unique aroma when burned.
Smoked bacon also has its own aroma.
It tastes even better.
Sometimes when Pei Yao went next door to get orange peels, Xiao Hei would jump up very enthusiastically. Pei Yao was originally quite afraid of Xiao Hei.
Xiao Hei eats a lot every day, like a heartless rice-eating machine.
So it's visibly bigger.
They're chubby and cute.
It seemed to really like Pei Yao. Every time Pei Yao came over, Xiao Hei would run over happily and pounce on her.
At first, Pei Yao was very resistant, but gradually she got used to it.
Sometimes, when Xiao Hei pounces on her and wags its tail, Pei Yao will affectionately rub its head.
This little dog, Xiao Hei, is very good at being affectionate. Sometimes, even if Pei Yao doesn't pet its head, it will nudge Pei Yao's hand and let her pet it.
Pei Yao was often amused by this little guy and laughed heartily.
Pei Yao looked at the little black dog cuddling at her feet and sighed, "Perhaps not all puppies are like that big black dog I met that chased and bit me..."
Ever since Pei Yao stopped being afraid of Xiao Hei, she has been completely captivated by him.
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