Meng Zhao washed her hands and prepared to cook breakfast. Gu Shi and Gu's aunt helped prepare the ingredients and start the fire. Gu Yun and Gu Yu felt bad about being idle, so they took the initiative to go to the back mountain to cut some bamboo to make soup cups.
The past two days, Meng Zhao has been making relatively simple dishes, using only salt and bean paste as seasonings. Today, she has prepared more ingredients and seasonings, so she can make some slightly more complicated dishes.
The first main dish is braised pork belly. First, scald the skin of the pork belly in a pot, scrape off the pig hair with a knife, blanch it in water, and use wine, scallions, and ginger to remove the fishy smell. After cutting it into pieces, fry it slightly in a pot.
If she were eating it herself, she would fry it for a longer time, preferably until all the oil from the pork was rendered out, so it wouldn't be greasy.
However, in ancient times, people had fewer opportunities to obtain oil and preferred greasy food, so Meng Zhao only fried it until the edges were slightly browned and a little oil came out before stopping.
Add white sugar to the rendered oil and heat over low heat until it turns caramel color. Then add the fried pork and let the caramel color coat the pork evenly. Next, add hot water and the prepared braising spices and simmer over low heat for half an hour.
After stewing the pork belly, I steamed rice in a wooden bucket, which took up two pots. There was one pot left, which could be used to make some quick dishes.
While Meng Zhao was cooking, Madam Gu and Aunt Gu had already chopped the ingredients for her, so all Meng Zhao had to do was stir-fry them.
I also made stir-fried pork slices with chili peppers, minced pork and green beans, Mapo tofu, stir-fried potatoes, green peppers and eggplant, and a cold wild vegetable salad. In addition, I made a crucian carp and tofu soup after the rice was steamed. Six dishes and one soup were enough for the five adults and two children.
After the food was cooked, Gu Yun and Gu Yu returned. From the moment they entered the room, their eyes never left the stove, both wondering how such a fragrant aroma could be made.
Aunt Gu watched Meng Zhao cook from beginning to end, her face full of surprise. Taking advantage of Meng Zhao's absence, she spoke to Madam Gu:
"I originally thought that what you said about Zhao Zhao preparing to set up a food stall was just a whim, but after seeing it today, I realized that Zhao Zhao really can cook."
Gu felt the same way. "At first I was also surprised, but after tasting it, I realized that Zhaozhao's skills were so good, and then I was relieved."
With more manpower, the work was done quickly, and the food was all set on the table in no time.
After the dishes were served, Gu Yun and Gu Yu were amazed by how abundant they were. My goodness, they had never eaten such delicious food during the Chinese New Year. The large chunks of meat looked incredibly tempting.
Seeing that everyone was too embarrassed to take a bite, Meng Zhao took the initiative and said, "Everyone, please try this braised pork. It's my specialty."
“That’s right, eat quickly, don’t let it get cold,” Madam Gu hurriedly added.
Only then did everyone raise their hands to pick up food.
This braised pork belly has a rich red color and a perfect balance of lean and fat. It's so tender that it can be easily split in half with chopsticks. When you put it in your mouth, it melts instantly, releasing a burst of meaty aroma and sauce that is simply irresistible.
As soon as the meat entered her mouth, Shen Qingyu's eyes widened and she exclaimed excitedly, "Wow! This is so delicious!"
"Zhao Zhao, your cooking skills are truly exceptional! I've lived for over forty years and have never tasted such delicious meat." Aunt Gu's eyes were full of excitement. In their family, they always just cooked the meat until it was done. She didn't know what Zhao Zhao was thinking, coming up with so many novel ways to cook it.
Gu was also very excited after tasting the braised pork. "Zhaozhao, with your skills, our boxed lunch business will definitely be booming."
Gu Yun and Gu Yu both seemed to be honest people, and they wouldn't say anything nice at this moment, but their expressions proved that the food suited their tastes perfectly.
Needless to say, Shen Qingze stopped snorting at Meng Zhao after eating her food.
Seeing the little boy eating meat with gusto, Meng Zhao said mischievously:
"Brother Qingze, is your sister-in-law's cooking delicious?"
Shen Qingze originally disliked his sister-in-law, but after eating her cooking these past few days, and seeing that Meng Zhao hadn't scolded them or smashed anything, he couldn't bring himself to say something against his conscience: "Sister-in-law's cooking is delicious."
"Sister-in-law, my brother loves your cooking the most," Shen Qingyu happily added to her brother.
"Okay, eat as much as you like. There will be plenty of delicious food in the future." Since we're in the food business, we'll never lack food again.
Shen Qingyu raised her hand and cheered, "Yay! We'll have delicious food from now on!"
Shen Qingze buried his head in his food and laughed as he ate. He was so happy these days, able to eat his fill every day.
As Meng Zhao ate, he was shocked by the amount of food his two cousins could eat. They finished a full bowl of rice and then asked for another bowl, which they were about to finish as well.
Aunt Gu noticed Meng Zhao's gaze, her face turned red, and she slapped each of them on the head, yelling, "You two, are you reincarnated starving ghosts, or did I not feed you at home, and now you've come out to embarrass me?"
That's so embarrassing! Who comes to someone else's house to eat, and eats so much?
Gu Yun was tapped on the head, covered her head with her hand, and retorted, "Mother is criticizing me. Didn't you eat a full bowl of rice yourself? You don't eat this much at home."
When her son exposed her, Aunt Gu became even more furious and, with a flushed face, stepped forward to hit him.
Meng Zhao realized she had been misunderstood and quickly stood up to stop them, saying, "Auntie, Auntie, your presence has already been a great help to us. What's a little food? In fact, I made extra so you wouldn't have enough to eat."
He then explained, "I was just thinking that if I put a bowl of rice in the boxed meals I sell, is that too little? Will everyone go hungry?"
In fact, Aunt Gu could tell that Meng Zhao wasn't stingy. If he were, why would he cook so much food for them and even give them some snacks earlier? These snacks would cost several coins each in town.
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