Chapter 43 Garlic Puff Pastry Creamy Mushroom Soup
Qin Haoran and Zhao Liming got out of the car and walked towards her.
Qin Haoran wasn't wearing his police uniform today, but rather casual sportswear, making him look young and energetic. He explained with a grin, "What a coincidence! It's our turn to rest today! Since we didn't have anything else to do, we came over to help you out, and also... cough cough, to see if there are any 'special circumstances'." He winked at Su Xiaonuan, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
Zhao Liming remained as composed as ever, dressed in a simple polo shirt and trousers. He nodded to Su Xiaonuan as a greeting.
Su Xiaonuan understood perfectly. She knew they were still worried about the clue from the SOS call and wanted to keep an eye on her while she set up her stall, and also... freeload off her. She didn't point it out and warmly greeted them, "Great! I was just worried about not being able to manage everything by myself! I'm selling cream of mushroom soup today, so I might need your help to keep things in order and set up the tables and chairs."
"No problem! We've got this covered!" Qin Haoran patted his chest and assured them, immediately taking the initiative to help move tables and chairs and set up sunshades, his movements were very efficient.
Zhao Liming didn't say much, but he quietly helped tidy up, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding environment, maintaining his professional habits.
The stall was set up quickly.
Su Xiaonuan thought for a moment and realized that soup served in a bowl alone didn't seem appealing enough.
On a whim, she immediately placed an order in the system's shop for a batch of freshly baked, still-warm French garlic puff pastry bread.
They are all round and golden, with a crispy surface formed by baking, creating a thick, irregularly cracked crust that looks extremely tempting.
If you look closely, you'll see that the surface of the pastry is also studded with many glistening grains of coarse sea salt and dried vanilla bits.
Just by looking at it, you can imagine the ultimate crispness when you bite into it!
Inside, the bread is soft and fluffy, filled with the rich aroma of wheat and fermented butter, with a delicate texture and excellent elasticity.
Su Xiaonuan plans to hollow them out and turn them into "bread bowls" to hold cream of mushroom soup! This way, the rich aroma of the soup and the soft texture of the bread can be perfectly combined, making every bite a delight!
She began preparing the ingredients.
First, carefully wash all kinds of fresh mushrooms and gently wipe away the surface dust with a soft, damp cloth, rather than soaking them in water, in order to preserve the original fresh and delicious flavor of the mushrooms.
Cut the button mushrooms and white mushrooms into even, thin slices, and chop the brown mushrooms into small pieces. This will increase the thickness and texture of the soup.
Finely dice the onion, chop the parsley, and smash the garlic cloves.
She first melted a large block of high-quality butter in a thick-bottomed saucepan, the butter releasing a rich and creamy aroma when heated.
Next, add the finely diced onions and sauté over low heat until the onions become translucent and soft, releasing a sweet aroma.
Then add all the sliced and chopped mushrooms, and stir-fry over medium-high heat.
Soon, the mushrooms softened and shrank under the heat, releasing their abundant moisture and an extremely rich, earthy umami flavor!
The entire carriage was instantly enveloped by this domineering yet warm mushroom aroma, as if an autumn forest had been condensed into this pot.
Stir-fry the mushrooms until they turn golden brown and soft, with the edges slightly curled up. Then, sprinkle in an appropriate amount of flour and stir-fry quickly and evenly, allowing the flour to coat each mushroom and absorb the oil in the pan, forming a paste-like surface.
This step is key to making the soup thick and silky.
Then, she slowly poured in the preheated, fragrant chicken broth, stirring rapidly with a whisk as she poured to prevent the flour from clumping.
As the broth was added, the mixture in the pot gradually became smooth and thick.
Next, pour in enough whole milk and heavy cream, and stir well again.
After bringing the water to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup over a gentle simmer.
Adding a suitable amount of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a touch of nutmeg powder during the process is the finishing touch, which can greatly enhance the flavor of the cream soup.
As it simmers, the broth becomes richer and richer, and the flavors of all the ingredients blend together perfectly. The aroma of milk, mushrooms, and a hint of spices intertwine and rise, so rich that it's almost overwhelming!
Finally, turn off the heat, sprinkle in a generous handful of fresh chopped parsley, and let the residual heat cook it, preserving its vibrant green color and fresh aroma.
Meanwhile, she cut off the tops of those beautiful garlic-flavored puff pastry breads and carefully scooped out the soft bread core with a spoon, making hollow "bread bowls".
Carefully ladle the hot, creamy mushroom soup into these still-warm bread bowls until they are almost overflowing.
The scalding broth quickly seeps into the inner layers of the bread, making it soft and juicy, while the outside remains remarkably crispy.
Finally, sprinkle some golden-brown, crispy garlic croutons and a touch of Parmesan cheese powder on top of the soup as a garnish.
The "Garlic Puff Pastry Creamy Mushroom Soup" is officially ready!
It was just past nine in the morning.
Many residents who get up late in Xiuhu Garden, or the elderly and children who have just returned from their exercise, are drawn out of their homes and from the streets by this overwhelming, warm and enticing aroma!
"What does it smell like? It smells amazing!"
"It smells like mushroom soup? But why does it smell so good!"
"Mom! It smells so good! I want to eat it!"
Following the scent, people quickly discovered the beautiful silver-white RV and stall at the south gate, as well as the source of the irresistible aroma.
Business boomed instantly!
People gathered around, their mouths watering as they looked at the golden, crispy bread bowl filled with thick, creamy mushroom soup, garnished with vibrant green parsley and golden bread cubes.
"Boss! What's this? How much is it?"
"Give me one!"
"I want one too! No, two!"
Su Xiaonuan worked with lightning speed, collecting money and handing out soup, her face always adorned with a sweet smile. Qin Haoran and Zhao Liming immediately got to work, one helping to maintain order in the queue, the other helping to set up tables and chairs and inviting diners to sit down and enjoy their meals. Soon, the small sunshade was filled with people, some even preferring to stand rather than wait to have a sip.
When the diners took their first bite, almost all of them exclaimed with satisfaction.
Wow! This bread bowl is so flaky! The soup is so rich and fragrant!
"The mushroom flavor is amazing! It's so fresh it'll make your eyebrows fall off!"
"It tastes so good! It warms me up all over!"
Looking at the lively and satisfying scene before her, and listening to the diners' praises, Su Xiaonuan felt a faint yet incredibly real sense of accomplishment and happiness rising in her heart.
However, as always, the exquisite taste attracts more than just ordinary diners.
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