Meng Taotao wrote the name of "Wanglai Ju" on the mung bean cakes and rice balls that had just come out of the oven, kept two of each, and distributed the rest, which happened to be a bargain for Wang Ting who had returned with his craftsmen and kitchen maids.
Although a lot of cakes were made, each person only got one. The delicate white pastry looked no different from the ones sold in the shop. The bricklayer apprentices carefully wrapped them in handkerchiefs and put them in their arms, and then they were busy measuring the size outside the kitchen. The leading bricklayer took a bite of the cake, his eyes lit up, and he quickly put the rest in his arms, praising, "Miss Si's craftsmanship is really amazing, no wonder she uses a big stove."
Wang Ting didn't take it seriously, secretly laughing at the country folk's ignorance. After stuffing a small piece of rice cake into his mouth in three or two bites, Wang Ting was stunned. He was a rough man and couldn't tell what was good about this rice cake, but it tasted sweeter than persimmons and more palatable than glutinous rice cakes. After eating it, he began to regret why he ate it so fast.
But Wang Ting, who claimed to be a capable general under the management, was unwilling to let him ask the eldest lady for food because of his greed. The day after tomorrow was the Buddhist Dharma Assembly. Not to mention the vegetarian meal of Master Bu Ku of Guangji Temple, there were countless other snacks and cakes that came from the capital to do business at the assembly, which was enough to satisfy his craving.
In the kitchen, it would take some time to steam the potatoes. Si Li took the opportunity to check the black pepper, milk and other seasonings that the maid sent from the kitchen brought. The ingredients were so complete that she narrowed her eyes in surprise.
The maid who brought the things smiled like a flower. "My lady heard that the young lady needed some and was afraid that there might be a shortage, so she asked me to bring some to see if the young lady could use them. After all, the small kitchen is not fully stocked. If the young lady needs anything urgently, just come here directly."
Si Li had never expected that a dish of cold cucumber would be exchanged for such kindness. "I'm just afraid that Madam Li will find me annoying." She responded with a smile and put learning basic skills from Madam Li on the agenda.
To put it bluntly, the system is like a cheat that is forcing her to learn something. Only what she has learned is real. She is only half-learning by imitating others. It seems that her cooking skills have improved, but her actual level has never changed. If she wants to make dishes that are recognized by the system and no longer ridiculed by the system when tasting, she can only learn slowly and steadily.
However, she would have to wait until the Dharma Assembly was over at the earliest before she would have a chance to understand the principles behind the system video and ratio.
Mash the cooked potatoes, add a little milk, mix starch, pepper, oyster sauce and water together to form a sauce with a unique flavor. A mellow and delicious aroma like chicken soup permeates the room full of potato fragrance. Si Li took a deep breath and was almost overwhelmed by the deliciousness of this oyster sauce made from real ingredients in ancient times. Modern oyster sauce is already conscientious if it can add one-tenth of oyster juice. One spoonful of it is mediocre, how can it be compared with this half spoonful of oyster sauce that can make a whole bowl of delicious oyster sauce.
[System: Ding Dong, a bowl of K-Chip Mashed Potatoes (fake) with too much pepper and oyster sauce and over-steamed potatoes has been completed, achievement points +2.]
The only difference between this dish with one star and one star is the seasoning. Si Li was not surprised to hear the success prompt. However, the system continued to play dead after beeping, as if the several dishes that Si Li made later did not exist. Si Li called twice but there was no response. She could only sigh with regret. It seems that this way of brushing points is not working.
The apprentices in the courtyard had already drawn a rough area on the ground with ink sticks and white ash. Si Li led Xiao Que to distribute the freshly made mashed potatoes, "To fill everyone's stomachs. If you are thirsty, there is water in the kitchen."
Si Li had no idea what the stove should look like, so she handed it over to Meng Taotao. Meng Taotao put the last stroke on the drawing brought by the mason, and stepped forward to take over Si Li's position, "Miss, take a break."
The masons who got the food thanked the master repeatedly and ate happily. The work was not over yet. Wang Ting stayed in the yard and was also given a bowl. He took a bite and suddenly thought of his four-year-old child at home. This sweet and delicious food is the most popular with children.
Just as he was thinking about asking Si Li for a second bowl to take home, he suddenly heard Si Li say with a smile, "What are you waiting for? Eat quickly. I'll have to wait for you to help me watch the frying pan after I finish the mashed potatoes."
Wang Ting looked at the small bowl in his hand in disbelief.
This is a potato?! Aren’t all potatoes dry and tasteless?
Wang Ting looked a little unhappy when he thought that he and his pigs were eating the same thing. The masons who were eating happily stopped for a moment and continued eating with their bowls, but Wang Ting could not eat any more.
How could this young lady, how could she trick people into eating something like this!
Si Li saw his ugly expression and said in surprise, "If the steward is choking, he should drink vinegar quickly to relieve the pain." Without waiting for Wang Ting to speak, he said, "I wonder if there is a carpenter on the farm. I want to make some wooden cake molds. I need the help of the steward."
The mason scraped the bottom of the bowl clean and looked up, "Why ask someone else? I can do it. If you don't have any requirements for the wood, I can deliver it to you tomorrow."
"That will be hard work." Si Li was a little surprised. She left Wang Ting and went to the bricklayer to explain the pattern of the cake mold in detail.
Wang Ting stayed where he was without saying a word. He didn't choke just now, but now he felt a little choked.
Now time is tight and available funds are limited, so it is impossible to make cake molds that need to be demoulded and printed. However, there is no problem in letting Meng Taotao draw the pattern and finding a mason to make the seal.
A pair of plum blossoms and lotus flowers, a set of fortune, wealth, longevity and happiness, a pair of yin and yang carvings for the signboard of the residence, and ordinary square and round cake molds are enough.
Meng Taotao, who was fully utilized, quickly drew the pattern according to Si Li's instructions. After reading it, the bricklayer scratched his head in embarrassment, "It's not that I don't want to do it, but after all, I'm not a specialist in this field. This pattern is too delicate and I really can't do it. The rest are all fine, and my apprentice can carve two more for the young lady's use, Ah Fu!"
One of the apprentices came over and said nervously, "Master."
The bricklayer whispered to him, and the apprentice put away the drawing paper. The bricklayer counted on his fingers and settled the bill with Si Li, "Six seals and two frame molds. I'll pay for the wood. I'll try to choose the best ones for you. Bring them all together when you start work tomorrow morning. It's one or two taels of silver in total. I really don't charge too much."
Wang Ting raised his eyelids. This price was obviously expensive, but he didn't have the kindness to remind the young lady who didn't care about worldly things.
"Then put it in the account for this job. Manager Xiao Wang will settle it with you after it's over."
Si Li didn't even blink. If the wood was good, the price the mason quoted wouldn't be expensive. She wasn't paying, so she could take whatever he wanted.
Wang Ting opened his mouth. Wasn't she the least troublesome person? Why was she not like what he had imagined, that she would pay for her own development?
After deciding on the stove and the pan, Si Li pulled Meng Taotao back to the kitchen. Using the frying pan under the nose of a chef with good cooking skills would definitely ensure that the kitchen would not be burned down like last time.
After a failed attempt, Wolf Tooth Potato finally returned to the testing ground.
When making mashed potatoes just now, Si Li also cut some wolf-tooth potatoes into strips, and steamed the leftovers into a pot of mashed potatoes. The rest was rinsed and drained, just waiting to be put into the pot. Meng Taotao didn't know Si Li's past achievements in the kitchen, and was a little confused while watching the frying pan.
Si Li previously thought that the countdown that came with the system when making two one-star pastries was a gift from the original owner's memory experience. When she saw the prompt while making wolf tooth potatoes, she was a little confused for a moment.
When making a one-star dish, a system countdown like a game reading bar floats above the pot. As time goes by, the reading bar gradually fills up, and the system countdown prompt sounds, indicating that it is time to proceed to the next step. Each step is accompanied by a reading bar prompt, and Si Li only needs to keep an eye on the reading bar progress and follow the steps. The operation is as simple as a cooking game on a mobile phone, and it is even easier than a fool.
If the potato chips in her hand and the frying pan in front of her were not real, Si Li would almost suspect that this was a game.
For a moment, Si Li began to doubt her previous idea of learning basic skills from Li Niangzi. If all dishes with one star and above have such a fool-proof assistant, what cooking skills does she still need? !
[System: Ding Dong, a dish of wolf-tooth potatoes that is half mushy and the cumin powder is not mixed evenly is finished. The dish failed, achievement points -2.]
...Well, cooking skills are still needed.
Meng Taotao took a bite and was caught off guard by the spiciness. Although her fried tofu was also spicy, the overall taste was mild, unlike this dish where the cumin and pepper flavors dominated. The bland taste of the potato served as a buffer to the stimulating taste. It was so spicy that tears almost came out of her eyes. After she finally stopped coughing, she felt a strange sense of refreshment.
Meng Taotao's forehead was covered with sweat. She had never eaten this dish before, nor had she seen such a strong and vivid seasoning ratio. She wiped her sweat off her face and asked hurriedly, "What is this dish called? Eating a plate of this in the cold wind is the most refreshing. Although it is spicy, it makes people want to have another bite. It is more suitable for street vendors."
Si Li praised Meng Taotao's insight in her heart. Wolf tooth potatoes are a classic street snack that is as popular as fried skewers, chicken fillets, and stinky tofu. She bought a bowl and ate it while walking. After walking around the street, she was half full. Whether the noble ladies and young masters of the Ning Dynasty would eat on the street is another matter. She herself missed these familiar snacks.
"This is called wolf tooth potato. The seasoning is not mixed well, and the potatoes are a little mushy. Don't force yourself to eat it. Please help me watch the pan later, and I will make another pot." Si Li knew that people in Ning Dynasty looked down on potatoes, and with the system's annotation of failed products, he did not intend to make things difficult for his only employee.
Meng Taotao pursed her lips. She didn't taste the uneven seasoning at all. As for the mushy potatoes, they also had a unique flavor, crispy and burnt. I didn't expect that the young lady, who was not good at cooking, had such high self-requirements.
After thinking for a while, Meng Taotao said, "If I just name the ingredients, some people might not want to eat it. Why not just call it wolf tooth?"
[System: Employee "Meng Taotao" loyalty +1. ]
Si Li:?
The dish is just a name, Si Li nodded and took the pot off the stove to cook the next one. Meng Taotao let Si Li stare at the oil pan at first, but when the third pot of potato strips still had some burnt potatoes coming out of the pot, she finally confirmed that Si Li was not joking and really needed her help to control the frying progress.
The three basic skills of heat control, knife skills and seasoning are what she has been exposed to since she started learning cooking. Although she has only learned the basics of her mother's cooking skills, she also knows that the three should go hand in hand. I have never seen a situation like Siri where the seasoning is just right, the knife skills are sloppy, and the heat control is completely unskilled.
"Miss, you have some talent, but you still need to practice more."
Meng Taotao's honest advice was unpleasant to his ears, but Si Li let it go in one ear and out the other.
[System: Ding Dong, a dish of wolf tooth potatoes that were slightly over-fried due to insufficient chili oil has been completed. Due to the assistance of the staff, only 50% achievement points were obtained, achievement point +1.]
A dish of wolf-tooth potato that was finally not burnt was born with the cooperation of the two. Hearing the unexpected system prompt, Si Li suddenly turned her head to look at Meng Taotao, as if she saw a perfect tool for scoring.
Meng Taotao suddenly felt a chill on her back.
The dishes were ready. Xiao Que, who was watching the progress of the project outside the door, walked in on time, squeezed in between the two of them, blocked Si Li's overly passionate gaze, and exclaimed, "Miss, it smells so good!"
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The author has something to say:
Xiao Meng’s OS: Miss is truly a great chef and is very strict with herself!
Lili (confused): Why is she looking at me like that? Please, don't tell me that she's too bad and wants to lower my loyalty again. Huh? Why did it go up?
Xiao Meng: Miss, you still need to practice to improve your skills and not be biased towards one subject.
Lili: ...Do you want me to read out your three levels, dear?
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The wolf tooth potatoes are the kind that are wavy strips, and the fried round potatoes are cooked in a similar way. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and are so delicious.