Yan Pei watched Su Wan cook silently. If he remembered correctly, this was the first time he saw her cook by herself.
Although I knew that these were her skills before, it was only after seeing her cook that I realized that cooking could be so quick and efficient.
It was just that the sight of her stepping on a stool and moving things looked a bit funny.
Seeing this, Yan Pei took the initiative to help her with the physical work, moving whatever was heavy.
The good Third Prince has now become the assistant to the little cook.
But Yan Pei acted so calmly that it didn't feel weird at all.
Su Wan found it easy to use.
Sometimes Yan Pei knows what she wants without her saying anything.
He is so smart.
With Yan Pei's help, the movements were indeed much faster.
After more than an hour, the sun gradually moved closer to the sky. The tomato and beef brisket were already stewed, and the rice that had been steamed in advance was naturally also ready.
As soon as Su Wan lifted the lid of the pot, the whole room was filled with the aroma of tomato and beef brisket. The tomatoes had been stewed into the beef brisket, with a hint of sour and sweet flavor. It had been stewed for such a long time, and when she took a bite, she could taste both the aroma of beef and the taste of tomatoes.
Let me tell you, who doesn’t like food that tastes like this!
Yan Peidu looked over here and was obviously attracted by the smell.
Su Wan had served him a portion in advance, as well as a portion of rice, and cut some beef tendon that had been braised for a long time, and mixed it with some cold dishes.
But that’s not all. The fresh and tender beef fillet cut on the side can be stir-fried with green peppers to create another delicious dish.
There were too many meat dishes today, so Su Wan fried some green vegetables as a side dish.
Finally, scoop a spoonful of the stewed beef bone soup and add some chopped green onions and coriander. No seasoning is needed. It is already the best broth.
Yan Pei looked at the four dishes and one soup that were quickly served. There were meat, vegetarian dishes, cold dishes, and a bowl of soup. The staple food was still Su Wan's cooking.
The food she cooked herself was much more delicious than the food from the big kitchen.
The remaining food was put aside, waiting for the four managers of the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Treasure Department to come over. There were suddenly a lot of things going on in those two places today, and didn't you see that Wei Jun and Zhuo Hui didn't come to help?
I guess they got stuck with something.
Yan Pei, who was eating in silence, heard the names of Zhuo Hui and Wei Jun, looked up at Su Wan, and said, "You seem to have a good relationship with them?"
"Not bad. Today I asked Zhuo Hui to help scare my family members." Su Wan said with a smile, "Otherwise, Auntie will definitely be bullied again."
Yan Pei naturally knew the situation at Su Wan's home and understood what she meant.
After he finished his meal, he had to go back to the Armory. He had a lot of things to do now. Summer was approaching, and many people would go to the suburbs of Beijing to escape the heat in midsummer. It was also a good time for him to take a walk.
But now he thought about it and said, "If you have any problems later, you can put a note under the incense burner in Guandi Temple. If I see it, I will definitely help you."
"You know, I can leave the palace."
No worse than any guard.
Su Wan smiled and nodded.
Her aunt is still worried about her, but look, there is no need to worry at all.
There are many good people in the palace!
Yan Pei left in a hurry and took away the snacks that Su Wan had sent him. Although the snacks were just ordinary, they were sent by Su Wan.
But it would probably be better if she made it herself.
As soon as Yan Pei left, Su Wan saw that he not only washed the dishes he had used, but also helped her clean up the used pots and pans.
What a great man this is!
The more Su Wan got along with Yan Pei, the more she felt that he was a very good person.
Although she suffered in the palace, she never complained and was very enthusiastic!
But Su Wan thought of another thing.
Finished.
I forgot to bring the seared veal steak, it is still in the big kitchen to cool down and soak up the flavor.
Unfortunately, Yan Pei didn’t get to eat the veal chop, and he didn’t know when he would be able to taste it next time.
Finally, Su Wan stir-fried the tomato and beef brisket again and added the remaining tomatoes. This way the tomatoes were richer and more fragrant. However, because the Imperial Supervisor Shangbao Supervisor and his men were late in arriving, she had to do one more step.
Just when Su Wan wanted to find someone to ask them why they hadn't come yet, she heard people walking hurriedly outside, and behind them were the voices of Wei Jun and Zhuo Hui: "Walk slower, the meal won't be delayed."
"What do you mean by walk slower? You've been delayed for so long, why don't you go eat quickly?"
"That's right. Today we have calf meat, and Su Wan is the chef herself."
"I don't know what kind of beef she made. I want to eat it quickly."
The voices were obviously those of the four stewards. Before the door was even opened, the rich aroma of red fruits could be smelled.
The red fruit is a tomato, which has the aroma of beef fat.
How is this done? It smells strange, but surprisingly fitting.
"Let me see what you did today?"
The chief eunuch of the Shangbao Palace came over and took a deep breath: "Quick, bring me a bowl!"
I feel dizzy just by smelling it!
Wei Jun and Zhuo Hui who were following him acted quickly, and the other three stewards were not much better off.
Seeing this, Su Wan smiled and said, "You are finally here, let's start cooking. Some dishes will taste better if they are cooked first."
"Okay, okay, then hurry up and do it." The chief guard also circled around the stove and sighed, "Who knows what Concubine Jiang is thinking, she has been talking to the female officials for a long time. I think she wants to be the queen so badly."
The chief eunuch of the Shangbaojian gave him a look and told him not to talk nonsense. Although everyone here was his own people, there would inevitably be omissions.
The chief guard curled his lips, obviously unhappy.
But the next second, when I saw Su Wan serve out the red fruit beef brisket, all my unhappiness disappeared.
Who cares if she is a royal concubine or a noble lady? Is it important to have a meal?
What can be served directly now are of course the beef brisket stewed with tomatoes, braised beef, ox tail and ox trotters.
Put the tripe aside and stir-fry it immediately. The stir-fried tripe will be more delicious.
The vegetables and green pepper beef fillet that had been fried for Yan Pei were naturally also fried for them, and the beef bone soup was also served.
But besides that, there is another thing, that is the veal steak still refrigerated in the big kitchen!
This is the most delicious part of the cow.
While Zhuo Hui was rushing to get the veal steak, Wei Jun had already placed the food in the side room next door.
This was originally the dining area in the small kitchen. No one used the small kitchen in the western kitchen before, so it had been abandoned for a while. But last time the deputy chief steward of the Imperial Household Department wanted to use it, it had been cleaned up.
Although there was nothing in the side hall and it looked empty, everyone's eyes were not on the furnishings but on the food on the table!
In the middle is the white beef bone soup, which looks clear and transparent. Next to it are several bowls and plates with coriander, green onions, chili powder and pepper. If you want to eat it, you can add it yourself.
All around were the attractive tomato stewed beef brisket, stir-fried beef tripe, and a combination of cold-mixed beef tendon, oxtail, and beef trotter. Originally, Su Wan couldn't cut the beef trotter, so Yan Pei helped her cut it.
At that time, Su Wan also said that Yan Pei looked a little thin, but he was so strong.
If these four drooling stewards knew that the ox hoof was cut by the Third Prince, I wonder if they would dare to eat it.
The sauce for the three-course cold dish looks red, but it’s actually not spicy, it’s more fragrant.
There were also some vegetarian dishes on the side as symbolic embellishment, and finally a plate of cold lotus root slices was served, which Zhuo Hui brought over when he went to get the veal steak.
It was said that the seasonal vegetables were distributed to the west kitchen.
The lotus root was indeed fresh. Su Wan wanted to soak it in water for a while and added some white vinegar to it. This would keep the lotus root slices from changing color and remain especially crispy.
After soaking for a while, put it in boiling water and cook it again. Add some white vinegar when cooking. The lotus root slices will be absolutely crisp and refreshing.
Then mix it with ginger and garlic sauce and mix it with cold water, which tastes great.
Su Wan felt that cooking only meat dishes looked unhealthy, so she added two more.
Now there are five dishes and one soup. The four stewards can't help but want to start eating, but Su Wan, the cook, hasn't arrived yet, so they have to be reserved.
If it were any other cook, the four of them might not have waited.
But these four who were able to become general managers intuitively felt that Su Wan was different from the others.
With her skills, she can be a court lady or a royal chef for the emperor.
Moreover, Su Wan is very young, but not only does she have good skills, she can also lead the Western kitchen to work together. This ability is rare.
The chief guard of the Imperial Household Department couldn't help but ask, "Where's Su Wan? Invite her to come and eat too."
The key is that they are so hungry!
Who wouldn’t be tempted by such dishes?
I was called by Concubine Jiang to attend a long meeting this morning, so I hope these meals can soothe my heart!
Zhuo Hui said, "She said there is a fried steak dish and she is making it now."
As soon as the words fell, an alluring aroma came out, the aroma of fried butter fat, fresh and not greasy. What, what is this? !
They are also people who have eaten beef, but when have they ever smelled such a strong beef flavor?
Without waiting for everyone to react, the chief guard rushed out first. He wanted to see what dish Su Wan was cooking!
Su Wan has completed the first step at this time, which is to brush the frying pan with oil. At this time, vegetable oil should be used, and the fire should be bigger. Put the veal steak in, and smoke will immediately appear in the pan. Fry the steak on high heat for one or two minutes, and fry both sides of the steak until it is formed. Then turn to low heat.
Keep turning the steak over, and the fat in the steak will slowly come out due to the salt used in the marination and the temperature of frying.
This was the smell the stewards had smelt in the wing, the aroma of beef tenderloin fat.
As mentioned before, this is the most tender part of the cow. Also because this is a part of the cow that does not move often, there is more fat and less crude fiber in the meat.
In common parlance, the meat is very tender and smooth!
After turning to low heat, the fat in the veal steak will slowly come out, but you should also drizzle a little more vegetable oil, then add garlic cloves, rosemary, and butter.
What is called rosemary in modern times is actually the commonly known oil-an grass, also known as tansy.
Su Wan had already existed in the Three Kingdoms period, and was also used as medicine. At this time, Su Wan asked Wei Jun and Zhuo Hui to get it from the Chinese medicine shop.
As for butter, it goes without saying that the nomadic people in the north had already made butter, which is called "Xi Ri Tao Su" according to the Mongolian transliteration.
It would be fine if it was hard to find in an ordinary citizen's house, but this is Kyoto, and this is the imperial city, so it is naturally found. It is not a rare item.
With these spices and seasonings, the steak tastes unforgettable.
Because the meat is tender enough, and the veal steak cannot be fried for too long, otherwise the fat aroma inside will be gone, and the steak is eaten for the fat aroma inside.
In less than four minutes, these small steaks, which are constantly turned over, are ready and can be directly served on the plate.
Add a bowl of beef bone soup to the remaining ingredients in the pot and slowly collect the juice, and finally pour it on the veal steak as a sauce. Looking at the rosy, attractive, delicious and juicy veal steak, some people can’t wait to see it on the table!
The four stewards looked similar.
But looking left and right, they are all family anyway!
What table?
As soon as the grilled steak was cut and placed on the plate, the four butlers started eating!
What are you waiting for!
You can eat it now!
Su Wan was watching in confusion. Wei Jun and Zhuo Hui beside her wanted to eat it very much, but there was only one steak that could be fried on a cow, so they could only swallow their saliva by the side.
It looks so fragrant!
The veal steak was fried until tender and delicious, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, full of juice, and not greasy.
Just take a slight bite, and the aroma of fat bursts in your mouth, and the unique aroma of butter spreads directly in your mouth.
When the chief guard was eating, he also told Su Wan not to be polite.
This was originally made by her, if it wasn’t her cooking, who could eat a steak that tastes so good?
No matter how good the ingredients are, they need a good chef to bring out the best taste of the food!
Su Wan didn't hesitate to try the veal steak she made.
Yes, the taste is really good. The meat is fresh and tender, and the spices are soaked in the meat. It is delicious.
Su Wan ate leisurely, but the others were not. The four stewards ate very quickly, fearing that if they started too late, the veal steaks would be gone!
The steak was eaten up before it was even served!
Even the sauce on top cannot be left out, make sure to dip it all.
Who said this juice tastes so good!
It was only after we had finished eating that we felt embarrassed.
Why are we eating around the stove?
Is this reasonable?
Finally, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Supervision Office coughed and said, "Let's go. There are still many dishes."
The remaining steward then said seriously: "Yes, yes, let's not stand at the stove."
"Go, go, go, go quickly."
When I returned to the side hall, the rice had already been prepared by Zhuo Hui and Wei Jun.
The two of them couldn't wait!
Although they didn’t get any steak, they did get some vegetables!
The other dishes are sure to be delicious too!
As soon as Su Wan picked up the chopsticks, others started to grab the food with extremely skillful movements.
The beef brisket stewed with tomatoes is soft and tempting, with a hint of sweetness and sourness.
The cold-mixed marinated food is even more chewy and full of marinated flavor.
The two vegetarian dishes each have their own flavor, among which the lotus root is the most popular, which is really crisp and refreshing.
There are also stir-fried tripe and stir-fried beef fillet, each one tastes different, and every flavor of the beef is really brought out.
At the end of the meal, there is a bowl of delicious beef bone soup. Anyone who eats this meal can loosen their belt.
In other words, Su Wan is better.
After all, she had eaten a lot of food and had a lot of experience, so she was the calmest at this moment.
"Today's meal is better than I thought."
"I should have paid you more money to cook for you."
"that is."
Of course, these words were said by the two Shangbaojians.
The chief and deputy chief stewards of the Imperial Household Department raised their eyebrows and said, "If Deputy Prime Minister Xi heard this, he would definitely scold you again."
It turned out that when they went to the inner palace for a meeting today, the two Shangbaojians saw Deputy West Prime Minister. Deputy West Prime Minister had been receiving punishment in the inner palace and could not come out. This time when they met, he must have explained why the two of them robbed the people from the West Kitchen.
Even though Su Wan didn't agree, she still had to be scolded.
However, when Su Wan heard this, she looked sideways and asked, "Did you say that in public?"
If it were said in public, it would mean that the improvement in the food in the western kitchen could no longer be concealed.
Speaking privately, it also showed that the inner palace was unaware of the situation.
She said this simply, and the two people in the Shangbaojian hadn't reacted yet. Instead, the deputy chief of the Imperial Household Department laughed: "You said it in public, and your colleagues laughed at you."
The deputy manager laughed again: "Don't worry, it's just a matter of time."
Only Su Wan and the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department knew what was going on. It took Wei Jun a while to react.
As for the two general managers of the Shangbaojian and Zhuo Hui, they didn't understand what they were talking about.
Su Wan nodded, it was indeed a matter of time.
But it’s never a good idea to have it come out right when the ingredients for the month are being distributed.
If I remember correctly, food ingredients would be distributed to various places before the 15th of every month, and the exact amount to be allocated and the proportions had to be determined.
Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Xi had an unpleasant argument with the inner palace over the issue of food quotas.
It depends on how they respond.
Su Wan was not in a hurry, but talked to the four managers about the beef bone soup and the stewed food: "The beef bone soup is still slowly boiling. The longer it boils, the better it tastes. When the time comes, you can use it for soup. It will be delicious if you eat it casually."
"The braised dishes include soy products, braised eggs, and leftover pig's trotters, which you can take back later."
Naturally, this was mainly said to the chief guard of the Shangbaojian. He was the one who bought the cattle, so he would naturally deal with the remaining food.
But the chief guard had never expected that Su Wan would make such thorough use of the ingredients. There was even beef tendon in the stew, and she said that it would become softer if stewed a little longer.
The chief guard waved his hand and said, "Put them all here. I'll send two people to guard them. Just tell them when to go."
This is also fine, and the ingredients don’t need to be moved.
When talking about food, everyone started to recall the taste.
How can a cow be cooked so deliciously and be edible in every part?
The red fruit beef brisket is still something I can’t help but savor.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone slowly went back, and the four stewards even couldn't help humming a little tune.
Today's delicious food is enough for them to savor for a long time.
Su Wan originally wanted to clean up the kitchen, but was stopped by two young eunuchs from the Shangbaojian who came over.
"You don't need to do this kind of work."
"That's right, let's do it."
"Just give us your orders! We will do it!"
"Yes, just give your orders!"
The two young eunuchs were very polite, and the way they looked at Su Wan was almost like they were looking at a benefactor.
It doesn’t matter if other people don’t know Su Wan, but they know!
If it weren't for Su Wan, would they be able to eat such delicious food now? Definitely not!
Besides, their manager said that if they help to watch the fire, they will have a share of noodles tonight!
Just thinking about the noodles made by the little palace maid Su Wan makes me drool.
So he was very respectful this time, fearing that he would tire Su Wan out.
Su Wan was actually fine. Yan Pei helped her with a lot of the hard work when cooking. Now someone came to help clean up the kitchen, so she simply started preparing Lanzhou ramen for dinner.
Lanzhou ramen is actually beef noodles, but its cooking method is unique.
Long cuisine is also a dish from the Silk Road, so the use of five-spice seasoning was relatively early. The local area is suitable for raising cattle, so the unique beef noodles were created.
But this soup is not only made with beef bones, but also beef, beef liver, and more than a dozen spices.
These had been prepared long ago and were cooked in another pot.
Although the beef is small, it’s enough for making soup and can probably be eaten for a few meals.
The flour used for ramen must be the finest white flour. With Su Wan's noodle-making skills, she can quickly knead the dough and put it in the ice cellar in the large kitchen for later use.
You can just wait until night time and eat ramen!
When Su Wan returned to the big kitchen, she gave the two eunuchs a few instructions, and then went back to the big kitchen to see what was going on there.
By the time we got to the big kitchen, lunch was almost over.
The palace maid from the western kitchen who was in charge of recording the list of palace guests who had eaten came over immediately.
Su Wan had instructed me before that if there were any unusual movements at the Baochao Division, I must tell her, no matter how many people came, I had to tell Su Wan.
Su Wan hadn't shown up just now, and the palace maid was a little anxious.
Upon seeing this, Su Wan immediately opened the roster, only to see that fewer people came to eat today.
The missing people were none other than the palace staff of the Baochaosi.
Not a single person from the Baochaosi Palace came today.
Su Wan asked again: "What about in the morning? Same as at noon?"
"Everything was fine in the morning, with more than sixty people coming. But no one came at noon," the recording palace maid replied.
Su Wan knew what was going on.
It seems that the inner palace meeting this morning was not very pleasant.
The Baochaosi actually discovered the palace people's eating habits in advance.
That’s right. Even the guards at the Lingtai Gate of the Imperial Palace have heard that the food in the West Kitchen is very delicious. If the manager of the Baochao Division doesn’t know about it, he would be a complete loser.
Su Wan looked again and asked, "Where is our left hand?"
"After lunch, I was called by the noble lady from the inner palace to discuss something."
Su Wan calculated the time and it should be that the inner palace meeting had just ended when the left minister on duty was called away.
He hasn't come back yet, so he must have something to say.
There's no need to worry. It would be normal if there was movement over there. It would be strange if there was no movement.
Su Wan thanked the female official who recorded it, and happened to meet the young eunuch in charge of the old prison who was about to leave after dinner. The two of them naturally became familiar with each other when they met.
Even though we've only known each other for one day, we're still one family after all.
The eunuch in charge touched his belly and said exaggeratedly: "The food in your western kitchen is really delicious, it's many times better than that in the Armory Bureau!"
"We in the old prison are going to suffer!"
"Yes! How can it be so delicious!"
There were also people from the old prison nearby, and they wanted to praise Su Wan to the skies.
It's not that exaggerated.
After sending away the people from the old prison, Su Wan already understood. The reason why they invited the people from the old prison to come for dinner yesterday was probably because they had expected this to happen.
Since I can't hide it anymore, I might as well let my own people enjoy the good food.
Su Wan didn't think much about it and put the processed noodles directly into the ice cellar.
Now that it is summer, Zaliku often delivers ice.
But it is strange. Other places all try to cut corners, but Bing is not stingy and gives just the right share. Or is it that the prime minister and deputy prime minister of Zaliku simply ignore the people in power?
The palace is really complicated.
Su Wan shook her head. It was relatively easy at night. All she had to do was pull the noodles and put them directly into the pot!
It's a relaxing day.
The afternoon was calm, and it was time for everyone in the west kitchen to take a rest and wait until the evening to return to work.
Su Wan simply went to take a nap. When she returned, she brought a few slices of beef tendon for her roommates. Everyone's dreams were filled with the smell of beef during their naps.
But the four of them were suddenly awakened from their sleep, and heard the eldest palace maid outside anxiously saying, "Wanwan, Wanwan, wake up quickly, something happened!"
Su Wan rubbed her eyes subconsciously, and heard them say, "All the palace servants of the Baochao Division must come to eat dinner tonight."
"Suddenly there are a thousand more people dining."
"Not only that, but even the five hundred guards guarding the gate are coming!"
Su Wan woke up immediately.
What is happening?
The western kitchen usually only serves about 300 people, and everyone is used to it. Even if more people come, it is better to do it gradually.
The number of people suddenly increased five times?
Fifteen hundred more people coming to dine at the same time?
How can I handle this?
Wait, the inner palace held a meeting in the morning, and then in the afternoon, the left and right leaders were also called in for a meeting.
This was clearly intentional! They deliberately made it difficult for their western kitchen to prepare this meal.
By then, 1,500 people will starve, and then we'll see how the Western Kitchen will end up.
It is almost time for the west kitchen to start cooking. In the same amount of time, the previous preparation for 300 people has increased to 1,500 more people.
The sudden increase in the number of people was intended to catch the West Kitchen off guard and cause them to make mistakes.
The powerful noblewoman, Concubine Jiang, does have some skills.
An express ban on palace servants from the Baochaosi from eating in the West Kitchen would inevitably arouse public outrage. If they were not allowed to go to a place that was delicious and free, even the chief steward of the Baochaosi would not be able to withstand such accusations.
So this powerful man did the opposite.
Don’t you want to go eat? Then let’s all go, including the gate guards.
Just think about it, are you going to eat delicious food or to eat the northwest wind?
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