Chapter 37 Deadly Barbecue Skewers
Everyone seemed a little skeptical: Setting up a barbecue stall in front of the police station? Could that really work? Wouldn't they be kicked out at any moment?
Su Xiaonuan watched the few people passing by but not daring to approach, but she wasn't in a hurry. She had a very good attitude; after all, there was still plenty of time for the mission.
She moved a large, lightweight sunshade out of her cart and set it up next to the stall, casting a patch of shade.
Then, they deftly moved out four sets of folding tables and small plastic stools and neatly arranged them under the awning.
Hey, it looks like an open-air barbecue stall right now!
Next, she carefully covered all the skewers in the display case with dust covers, which was both hygienic and kept them cold.
After doing all this, she returned to her car and magically pulled a lightweight recliner out of a storage compartment, placing it in the small dining area inside the car.
I turned on the air conditioning vents on the roof of the car, adjusted it to a comfortable temperature, and then lay down comfortably on the recliner. I took out my phone and started watching short videos, my little feet swinging back and forth contentedly.
Time slipped away quietly as I watched dramas and read jokes, and soon it was past 11 a.m.
Her stomach started growling, and Su Xiaonuan decided to appease her hunger first.
She got up and carefully selected several of her favorite foods from the display case—pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, crisp and tender chicken feet, delicious beef skewers, and soft and sweet grilled steamed bun slices.
Next, it was time to witness the deliciousness! She turned on the smokeless, high-efficiency electric oven built into the stall and adjusted the temperature.
Once the oven temperature is up, first use a heat-resistant brush to apply a thin layer of clear cooking oil to the grill rack to prevent sticking.
The selected skewers are neatly arranged on the grill. As soon as the skewers are placed on the grill, they make a slight "sizzling" sound, which is the wonderful prelude to the food coming into contact with heat.
Wait patiently for a few dozen seconds until the side of the meat skewers closest to the grill starts to change color, the edges curl up slightly, and glistening oil seeps out. Then, use tongs to deftly flip them over one by one.
At this point, the meat's own fat is forced out by the high temperature, and mixed with the original aroma of the marinade, it begins to waft out in wisps.
Maintain medium-high heat to allow the heat to penetrate evenly. The pork belly slices become translucent, with oil dripping down and sparking small flames, bringing an irresistible aroma of caramel. The chicken cartilage becomes firm, with an enticing golden-brown surface. The beef skewers darken in color, revealing distinct muscle fibers. The steamed bun slices begin to expand, with tiny, crispy bubbles appearing on their surface.
When all the skewers were about 70-80% cooked, Su Xiaonuan picked up her "weapon"—the seasoning jar.
First, sprinkle cumin powder evenly. The rich, exotic aroma is instantly activated by the heat and takes the lead!
Next comes the chili powder. The red powder lands on the sizzling, oily skewers, creating a strong visual impact. The spicy aroma then rises and stimulates the nasal cavity.
Then comes the Sichuan peppercorn powder, its numbing and tingling aroma adding to the flavor profile and creating a more complex taste.
Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts to add a crunchy, nutty texture.
For sliced steamed buns and some vegetarian skewers, she would also use a soft brush to gently brush on a layer of her secret barbecue sauce.
When the sauce comes into contact with high temperatures, it instantly becomes thick and glossy. The complex aroma of sweet and salty sauce blends perfectly with the previous dry ingredient aroma, creating a wonderful chemical reaction.
After sprinkling and brushing all the seasonings on, quickly flip and grill for another ten seconds to allow the flavors to fully infuse into the ingredients.
At this moment, all the skewers have reached their peak!
The pork belly is crispy and fragrant, rich but not greasy; the chicken cartilage is very elastic and makes a crunchy sound; the beef is tender and juicy, with a rich meaty aroma; the steamed bun slices are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, soaking up the essence of oil and sauce.
boom!
An indescribable, overwhelming aroma, a blend of meaty, oily, cumin, chili, and soy sauce scents, exploded like a bomb dropped into deep water! It spread rapidly, carried by the breeze, past the police station gate, and onto the adjacent street, forcefully invading everyone's olfactory senses!
The aroma is so penetrating and alluring! It's like an invisible hand pulling at your nose, tantalizing your taste buds, and dragging your feet, making you involuntarily move towards the source of the fragrance.
"Mmm! What's that smell? It smells amazing!"
"It smells like barbecue? Which barbecue place smells so good?!"
"Oh my god, my mouth is watering instantly!"
People on the street, whether they were white-collar workers rushing by, shop assistants from nearby stores, or even security guards on duty, all stopped in their tracks, sniffed, and searched around with their eyes.
Many people didn't even realize where they were going. When they came to their senses, they found themselves standing in front of the silver-white food truck, their wallets unconsciously reaching out to grab them!
Even Qin Haoran, who had just finished dealing with his documents and was about to go to the cafeteria with his colleagues at the Municipal Public Security Bureau, was so enticed by the irresistible aroma that he couldn't sit still.
"What's that smell? It smells so good! Did they open a Michelin-starred barbecue restaurant next door?" He sniffed and followed the aroma out.
As soon as I stepped outside, I saw the familiar RV and stall in front of the bureau, and the petite figure busy in front of the stall.
"Hey! Isn't this Captain Lu's little cook?" Qin Haoran immediately chuckled, filled with emotion, "She smells amazing wherever she goes!"
He saw that a group of people had gathered in front of the stall, attracted by the aroma but still hesitating and observing. Qin Haoran's eyes lit up, and he chuckled, deciding to help the stall owner get things going.
He squeezed to the front of the stall, waved his hand with boundless enthusiasm, and shouted in a loud voice, "Boss! Give me fifty skewers! A little of everything! Remember, make sure they're all extra spicy and numbing! The more intense, the better!"
Su Xiaonuan, who was busy grilling skewers for herself, looked up in surprise at the large order. When she saw that it was Officer Qin, whom she had met before, she immediately smiled with delight and sweetness: "Okay! Officer Qin, just a moment! I'll grill them for you right away!"
That smile, coupled with Qin Haoran, one of their own, leading the shopping spree, instantly broke down that invisible barrier!
Those who were still observing exclaimed, "Wow! Even the police are buying so much! There must be no problem! And it smells so good! We can't resist!"
"Boss! Give me ten skewers of beef!"
"I want five skewers of pork belly and ten skewers of chives!"
"Those squid tentacles look good! Five skewers, please!"
"I want one too! I want one too!"
Business was instantly booming! People pulled out their money and eagerly ordered the skewers they wanted.
Su Xiaonuan's smile became even brighter, as if it were glowing.
She responded crisply, her hands moving with lightning speed. She collected the money, gave change, took the raw skewers chosen by the customers from the display case, and then deftly spread them on the grill, brushed on oil, flipped them, and sprinkled seasonings... Her movements were fluid and rhythmic, full of beauty and grace, dazzling to the eye, yet a pleasure to watch.
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