With the mindset that 'if you can avoid taking medicine, you won't get sick,' Geng Youran has been researching food therapy recently.
It's winter now, and plum blossoms are in full bloom, so we can use some white plum blossoms to make plum blossom soup dumplings. Also, she had specifically asked Xinyi to store some hibiscus flowers, which would be perfect for making snow cloud soup.
First, make the 'Plum Blossom Soup Dumplings'. Because this dish requires chicken broth, Geng Youran started simmering the broth in advance while Xinyi went to get the ingredients.
First, soak the plum blossoms and sandalwood chips together in boiling water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, filter out the plum blossoms and sandalwood chips, leaving only the broth.
Subsequently
Take an appropriate amount of flour, add a little salt, and then slowly pour in the cooled plum blossom sandalwood juice while stirring until the flour forms clumps.
Knead the flour into a smooth dough by hand, cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for a period of time, usually within half an hour.
After the dough has rested, divide it into several equal portions.
Take a portion of dough and roll it out into a thin sheet.
Use a cookie cutter to press out plum blossom-shaped pieces of dough onto the sheet, being careful not to let the pieces stick together.
Originally, it was supposed to be pressed using a plum blossom-shaped mold, but since the mold wasn't ready yet, it could only be pressed into a regular circle for now.
Bring water to a boil in a pot, then add the pressed dough sheets and stir gently to prevent them from sticking together.
Cook until the noodles float to the surface and become translucent, then remove them and rinse them in cold water to maintain their smooth texture.
Drain the cooled plum blossom noodles and place them in the prepared chicken broth.
Finally, sprinkle a few soaked white plum blossoms on the soup as a garnish.
While busy with her work, Geng Youran didn't forget to gossip.
"Xinyi, did the Second Prince really come with you voluntarily?"
Xin Yi was speechless. She was just a maid. If the Second Prince didn't want to, could she be tied up and brought here?
But she still replied patiently:
"Yes."
Geng Youran was puzzled.
Since Consort Li shifted her focus to the struggle with the main wife, she rarely went to Consort Li's place anymore.
Therefore, he did not have a deep relationship with the Second Prince.
Thinking of Li's suspicious nature, Geng Youran regretted keeping the Second Prince behind.
But then I thought, he's just a child after all, how mature can he really be?
After a moment's thought, Geng Youran continued preparing the food.
After making the 'Plum Blossom Soup Dumplings', the next step is to make the 'Snowy Clouds Soup'.
First, boil water in a pot. Then, blanch the prepared lotus petals one by one in the boiling water. Do not blanch for too long, usually just once or twice. After blanching, remove them and place them on a plate to drain.
In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and add the tofu cubes. Add appropriate amounts of salt, sesame oil, and shredded ginger, and simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes.
Then gently place the blanched lotus petals into the cooked tofu soup, heat for a few moments, and then turn off the heat.
Finally, pour the snow jasmine soup into a bowl and sprinkle some shrimp roe on top to enhance the flavor.
Unfortunately, because there were no fresh hibiscus flowers available, Geng Youran could only use dried ones, which did not achieve the desired effect in terms of color.
The two desserts were quickly prepared, and when the two returned to the room, Hongyun was found asleep on the table.
While Xinyi was still hesitating about whether to wake him up, Geng Youran stepped forward and gently nudged him:
"Second Prince, wake up, eat something before you go back to sleep."
Hongyun wasn't sound asleep; Geng Youran gently nudged him awake.
Looking at Hongyun's slightly chubby face, Geng Youran got carried away and gently pinched him with her hand.
When she came to her senses, she saw Hongyun looking at her with an incredulous expression.
Geng Youran quickly withdrew her hand, inwardly cursing herself for being attracted by a cute child.
Xinyi quickly stepped forward to help them out.
"Second Prince, try some. These were just made by our Princess. You're the first to try them."
Hongyun, his face slightly flushed, sat on the stool that Xiao Anzi had brought over, skillfully scooped up a spoonful of 'plum blossom soup dumplings', and nodded.
"Hmm, not bad. This is the first time I've ever had chicken soup with a floral aroma."
Geng Youran served him another bowl of 'Snowy Cloud Soup'.
"Try this one again, and then tell me which one tastes better."
Hongyun tasted it carefully.
"I still think the 'Plum Blossom Soup Dumplings' are the best. This 'Snowy Clouds Soup' is also good, but I feel it's missing something."
Geng Youran nodded.
"Second Prince, you have a discerning palate. This 'Snowy Cloud Soup' is a soup meant for summer, but since it's winter now, I can only use dried hibiscus flowers that have been soaked. If I used fresh hibiscus petals instead, it would taste much better."
She watched as Hongyun kept eating 'plum blossom soup dumplings' and drank the whole bowl.
Then Hongyun smiled sheepishly.
"Gege, the food here is so delicious that I couldn't resist. Please forgive me for making you laugh."
Geng Youran smiled gently, waved to Xinyi, signaling her to bring over the food box she had just packed, and said:
"Second Prince, please don't be so polite. I may not have much else here, but I have plenty of good food. Just let me know when you want some, and I'll have Xiao Anzi bring it to you."
Hongyun's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Thank you very much, Princess Geng. I need to go back and review my lessons, so I won't bother you any longer."
"etc."
Hongyun turned around in confusion.
"I had some plum blossoms left over, so I made them into snacks. I'll have Xiao Anzi take them to you. Studying is very tiring, so eat something when you're hungry. Don't make yourself suffer."
Hongyun didn't say anything, just nodded and walked out. Xiao Anzi was carrying a food box and was about to follow when Geng Youran quietly called out to him:
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