Chapter 147 Steamed Dishes [Second Update]
The day Wenji opened after its renovations was just before the Qingming Festival. Many people had already taken off their down jackets and put on lighter coats. Some students, who weren't afraid of the cold, even went out in just a sweater in the morning.
Wen Fan was wearing a red coat. Her hair, which she had cut short last summer, had grown long. She clipped up the loose strands at her temples with a hair clip, and the ends of her hair brushed against her neck, causing a slight itch, like a gentle spring breeze.
The opening day was set for a Saturday. Instead of hiring a drum troupe, Wen's mother simply set off firecrackers, and the family of three stood under the brand-new signboard and took a photo.
"Grand opening!"
The neighbors were the first to come and join in the fun. Those who had the money ordered a flower basket, while others brought some fruit or something.
There were more than a dozen flower baskets lined up in front of the door.
Aside from Wen's parents' social circle, his landlord Yang Hong, Yang Tao, the Qu family who run the pharmacy, Wen Fan's classmates, and Ji Baiyi were also involved.
Speaking of Ji Boyi, Wen's parents had an exceptionally good impression of him. It wasn't just because he was diligent and capable while working during the winter break, but more so because they felt that Ji Boyi was a reliable and considerate child.
Every weekend, when Ji Baiyi came to the pharmacy next door, he would occasionally bring something for the Wen family. Sometimes it was a packet of chrysanthemums, and sometimes it was some goji berries. His family was in the medicinal herb business, and these things weren't expensive, but the fact that they were given according to the season was enough to show that the child was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
The flower baskets lined up at the entrance were labeled with names of who sent them. The three doors were wide open, revealing neatly arranged tables, chairs, and benches inside. The kitchen had been expanded, with a large glass window allowing guests to see inside. A serving hatch had also been added, so Wen's mother wouldn't have to frequently lift the curtain to bring out the dishes.
Next to the kitchen is the restaurant's cold dish section. Behind a clean glass counter is an area large enough to hold more than a dozen kinds of cold dishes. Beside the counter on the other side is a simple worktable. Behind the counter are several large buckets, and next to them are various small stoves and large earthenware pots for heating.
Today is the opening day of Wenji Restaurant. Many customers have been looking forward to this day, so firecrackers were set off at nine o'clock in the morning, and many people arrived at the store around ten o'clock.
"Boss lady, do you have any new products?"
Excited customers sat down in the shop and, before even looking at the menu, kept asking Wen's mother questions.
Wen's mother smiled and pointed to the wall: "It's written there."
With the store expanding, the menu naturally needs to be adjusted.
After discussing it as a family, they quickly decided to reorganize the existing products.
As temperatures rise, braised dishes and cold dishes naturally make a comeback. And because of Xiao Ge, rice bowls and noodle bowls also reappear. The difference is that this time the toppings are not pre-made, but stir-fried fresh for each serving.
Wen's father's specialty, claypot rice, has also been preserved.
Aside from these regular dishes, the only major dish tentatively planned is beef offal stew.
Looking at the sea of guests outside, Xiao Ge finally felt like he was a chef.
Otherwise, I always feel uneasy about receiving Wenji's salary every month.
Although Yao Qingqin wasn't wearing bright red today, her daughter in her arms was dressed in pink.
Mother Wen greeted the guests as they entered, finally ending the awkward long queue at the door.
Just as the guests were about to order, they saw a plume of white smoke drift onto the worktable from the kitchen.
Four or five large steamers were arranged on both sides. Two young girls, newly hired employees of Wenji, stood behind the steamers, piquing the curiosity of the customers.
Since expanding the shop, Wen's mother has been thinking about hiring people. Wen's father and Xiao Ge can barely keep up with the work in the kitchen, but Yao Qingqin has to take care of the small stall in front. Wen's mother can't manage such a big scene in front by herself.
We need to hire at least two more people.
When Mother Wen announced that she was hiring, she didn't even need to post a job advertisement. Unlike the requirements when she hired Xiao Ge, this time, hiring waiters was as easy as having hands.
The neighbors recommended them one by one; after all, who doesn't have a few relatives?
Wen's mother met several of the recommended girls and finally settled on two.
One of them is the niece of the contractor who renovated her shop, named Mi Xiao.
The other one is Du Min. Du Min's aunt runs a hardware store on the street.
After a brief encounter, Wen's mother knew that Du Min was rather outgoing. The girl's academic performance was average; she dropped out of school after junior high and first worked odd jobs for several relatives, then sold snacks at a street stall. She had a somewhat rough, street-smart personality. However, she was sensible and straightforward, so Wen's mother had no reason not to hire her.
Mi Xiao was young and timid.
I just graduated from vocational school last year.
It was a helpless situation, the contractor said to Wen's mother, explaining why his niece was like this.
"When we sent her to school, her parents just thought it was because she hadn't gotten into high school, and that she'd just spend a few years in vocational school, wasting her time, and they were worried she wouldn't adapt to society. Who knew that the school had such a bad atmosphere, with kids always swearing and hitting each other. She's timid to begin with, and even if they didn't bully her, she was terrified. After graduation, she refused to go out. Her mother was really worried, so she asked me to find her a job, but all I have here are construction sites, and I can't just let her go with them..."
After much thought, Wenmu's place seemed the most suitable for her.
To persuade Wen's mother to agree, the contractor even offered to discount the shop's renovation costs.
"Boss lady, I thought you and Brother Wen are both kind people, so I decided to send my niece here. Don't worry, she's just introverted and doesn't like to talk, but she's very hardworking."
The contractor called his niece over with a phone call, and the girl seemed quite polite and well-mannered.
After much deliberation, Wen's mother finally confirmed with the girl that she also agreed to come before she finally agreed.
With two more people in the shop, Wen's mother's workload increased significantly. She stayed behind the counter and didn't need to leave unless the shop was too busy.
Du Min and Mi Xiao set out the steamer baskets. Mi Xiao brought some plates from the kitchen and placed them aside, holding a large pair of tongs in her hand.
Du Min's clear, crisp voice called out to the customers in the shop, "New steamed dishes, ten yuan each!"
Ten dollars, self-selection—these two words together make almost everyone know that this is Wenji's grand opening promotion.
Du Min placed the QR code for payment in front of the counter. When she heard the loudspeaker announce "Ten yuan for cashier," she enthusiastically asked the customer what they wanted to eat.
What kinds are there?
As the steam dissipated, various things appeared in the steamer. I don't know how Wenji made them; they were all semi-powdered, and for a moment, it was impossible to tell what was inside.
Du Min introduced the vegetables to the person: "This steamer basket contains shredded potatoes, carrots, and white radishes. That steamer basket over there contains noodle vegetables, garland chrysanthemum, and shepherd's purse. The steamer basket below contains locust flowers, elm seeds, and dandelions..."
How can we go through spring without steamed dishes?
When Feng Huijuan delivered the first batch of wild vegetables, Wen Fan's first thought was to make steamed dishes.
Elm seeds and locust flowers are seasonal foods, only available for about two weeks each year. Wen Fan washed them thoroughly and drained them. Then she started making the dough. Traditional steamed dishes always use more cornmeal, but Wen Fan adjusted the ratio to half cornmeal and half wheat flour, layering it on top of the wild vegetables.
The large basin was shaken up and down; I dared not touch it for fear of crushing the contents.
Shred potatoes, carrots, and white radishes. Spray oil on them immediately after shredding to prevent them from releasing water. Use a 7:3 ratio of flour to cornmeal, adding the flour in small amounts multiple times to avoid sticking.
For leafy greens like garland chrysanthemum and shepherd's purse, simply wash them clean, without draining them too much. While the leaves are still slightly damp, sprinkle them with flour and cornmeal until the surface is dry.
Once all the ingredients are prepared, they can be steamed during business hours.
The steamed vegetables will be ready in seven or eight minutes.
But even at this point, it's still not over.
Some guests selected several items with great interest.
Wenji is also very generous; the plates in the store are filled to the brim with steamed vegetables.
In front of Mi Xiao were several kinds of sauces. Seeing that the other person had chosen their sauce from the plate, she quietly asked the other person what flavor they wanted.
"We have spicy and non-spicy options, and we also have garlic here."
The customer frowned: "Can't we omit the garlic?"
Mi Xiao shook her head.
The most important part of steamed dishes is the garlic sauce at the end. In every sauce that Wen Fan makes, the base flavor is garlic sauce.
"Then let's have a spicy one."
Mi Xiao poured a spoonful of sauce, then picked up the oil bottle next to her and poured it around the jar.
"alright."
The guest, holding his plate, was momentarily stunned.
The steamed dishes, which had been rather bland just moments before, were transformed into something extraordinary with just a drizzle of sauce and a touch of sesame oil. I carefully tossed them with chopsticks, afraid of overturning them and spilling them. The heat and the aroma of the sesame oil instantly transformed the steamed dishes into a rich and flavorful experience.
"Gulp."
The customer swallowed hard, grabbed his chopsticks, and, regardless of what he had chosen, scrambled together various colorful steamed dishes. The moment they tasted it, the aroma of garlic and sesame oil filled their mouths, though the pungent taste of raw garlic took a moment to adjust to. Within seconds, the garlic flavor faded.
Instead, you'll find wild vegetables that offer a fresh and sweet taste when you chew them.
The loosely wrapped flour, filled with wild vegetables, softens during steaming; a gentle bite reveals the vegetables still retaining their own moisture. The unique characteristics of each vegetable are fully released: the tenderness of elm seeds, the fragrance of locust blossoms, the chewy texture of the noodle-like vegetables, the comforting warmth of the shredded potatoes…
Despite the heavy garlic, sesame oil, and chili flavors, these wild vegetables have the ability to instantly make the taste refreshing.
"It's so delicious."
After finishing one plate, the man, still wanting more, picked up the plate and went to buy more.
He only chose three or four items earlier, but this time he wants to try them all!
Mi Xiao and Du Min initially felt they weren't very busy, but later they became so busy they didn't even have time to talk.
Mi Xiao's voice grew louder and louder; there was no way she could speak loudly, otherwise the guests wouldn't be able to hear her at all!
Once a batch of large steamers is sold out, they are sent to the kitchen, where pre-prepared wild vegetables mixed with rice noodles are immediately placed on top. These vegetables must be spread out, not piled up. This results in a small batch of steamed vegetables being produced at once, requiring more to be steamed only after the previous batch is sold out.
Steaming it again and again, yet the people in front of them still complained that there wasn't enough to eat.
"Do you still have any steamed elm seeds?"
Mi Xiao shouted, "They're all gone! There are no more elm seeds left for today!"
Compared to potatoes and carrots, which are easy to buy, elm seed noodles and locust flowers were the first three to run out, followed by dandelions. Shredded potatoes and carrots also quickly sold out due to the frenzy of buying.
The later customers were disappointed, but they received a guarantee from Mrs. Wen, who said that steamed dishes like this would be served every day for the next week or so. After all, this was the season when these wild vegetables were in season, and once that season was over, they wouldn't be available to sell.
The guests enjoyed their meal, and some even started reciting their lessons.
"I used to eat elm seed rice all my life, but now it's a rare treat..."
Yes, so many people used to drool over that text.
"Stop carrying it, I'm so hungry for it. I missed it for just a little while and didn't get to buy any elm seeds."
"Wow, this is so delicious! My mom made it for me before, but it never tasted this good!"
"Of course! My mom said that when they were little, they would eat wild vegetables with cornmeal and garlic. There was no sesame oil, let alone anything else."
"I have a strong impression of this noodle vegetable. My grandma used to pick a lot of it and send it to our family."
"The locust flowers smell wonderful too, and the sauce the owner made is just right."
"I'm bringing my mom to eat here tomorrow."
As we were talking, we saw a waiter bring out a steaming hot plate from the already sold-out counter.
What are they selling this time?
"It looks like stir-fried rice noodles."
Du Min's voice rang out: "Stir-fried and steamed dishes, limited to ten servings, twelve yuan per serving!"
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