Actually, braised pork and braised beef are among A Bao Lou's signature dishes. You can add potatoes and carrots to the braised pork or not. As for the braised beef, you only need pure beef shank.
In other words, this benefited Abaolou.
But it was tough on the others.
Faced with such meager ingredients, everyone was at a loss.
Soon, people turned their attention to Xu Yuehuai.
Xu Yuehuai scratched his head, picked up the pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and had to admit that the pork belly selected by the organizers was of excellent quality. After observing it, Xu Yuehuai had already figured out what he could do.
"It's routine, everything is as usual. Please read out the names of the dishes."
Wei Yixiao looked at everyone.
People took turns announcing their dishes. Someone said, "The ingredients are simple, so I'll make meatball soup."
"I..." someone hesitated for a long time before finally blurting out, "I'll make braised pork."
Soon, someone in the audience gasped and jeered, "Everyone in the capital knows that A Bao Lou's braised pork has a unique recipe and is second to none in the capital. Aren't you just asking for trouble?"
But what can we do now?
"Garlic-flavored pork belly!"
“Salt-baked meat!”
"Stir-fried pork slices!"
It seems that these are all the options available.
When it was Xu Yuehuai's turn, she said, "I'll make the long-lost Pagoda Meat."
This pagoda-shaped meat only exists in legends, and the specific method of preparation is impossible to trace. However, judging from Xu Yuehuai's confident and resolute manner, she must be absolutely certain of success. As a result, the audience began to look at her.
Xu Yuehuai, on the other hand, first looked down at her support group in the distance. Zhou Wan and San Niang were standing in the first row, and every time her gaze fell on them, the two of them would wave.
As for Ah Qi, he remained expressionless, clutching his longsword, seemingly observing the crowd's every move.
Xu Yuehuai looked into the distance and saw the familiar carriage.
The moment her gaze shifted to that side, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Qi Guze's face. The two exchanged a knowing smile.
"The match begins!"
Today is the final competition, so Wei Yixiao and his team are being very humane and have stopped the countdown.
After all, both steaming and stewing meat require a considerable amount of time.
As people's dishes were served one after another, the judging panel came up from below. Everyone's mouths were watering. They simply praised and commented on the dishes, but resolutely refused to represent or influence the opinions of others with their own views.
The judges quickly gave their scores.
Xu Yuehuai glanced at Zhang Baolong on his right. Zhang Baolong had already put the pot lid down and was waiting.
Once you lift the lid, just reduce the sauce over high heat.
As for Xu Yuehuai, he took out the pork slices that had been degreased, and then slowly cut the pork belly into cubes. Starting from his right side, the sharp knife moved inch by inch, and soon the slices of meat as thin as cicada wings were cut off.
Each piece is the same size and thickness.
Everyone watched intently, but no one could figure out how Xu Yuehuai had turned the ordinary into the extraordinary. By the time everyone fully understood, a delicate pagoda had been completed and placed in the very center of the plate.
Xu Yuehuai prepared the broth and poured it over the meat, instantly releasing a wonderfully complex and alluring aroma that made everyone's mouths water.
"I won't stand on ceremony with you." Wei Yixiao's mouth watered. He quickly wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, grabbed his chopsticks, and started eating. The meat looked fatty, but it had been specially treated so that it melted in his mouth and left a lingering fragrance.
The old beggar ate with a broad smile, wishing he could have a full meal.
As for the Demon Food Fairy, she pondered as she ate, "It's first blanched, then small holes are poked in it with a toothpick, and then it's steamed again, probably over a low heat of about 70-80%. It's amazing! The broth also perfectly neutralizes the greasiness of the meat, making it unforgettable."
"That's fair, that's fair."
The county magistrate also started eating.
After you all ate this pagoda-shaped braised pork, you were already completely captivated. So when you ate the braised pork at A Bao Lou, you certainly couldn't give it any amazing reviews. You could only offer a few perfunctory words like "good, very good".
Seeing everyone's reaction, Zhang Baolong suddenly became anxious, "Gentlemen, is it possible that my Abaolou's braised pork is no longer to your liking?"
After a long silence, Wei Yixiao, who was not afraid of offending anyone, finally spoke first.
"This braised pork is indeed very impressive, but as long as the spices are right, it's easy to stew. It's not difficult at all. The real challenge lies in the combination and mastery of the spices, which is not a particularly impressive technique."
"this……"
Zhang Baolong was speechless.
"So, she's even more powerful now?"
The old beggar answered the questions, "Simply stewing pork belly is already a problem. If the heat is too high, the meat will dehydrate and become tough. If the heat is too low, the meat will not be cooked through. How can you eat that? As for the knife skills, you all witnessed them yesterday. I can't think of any words to praise them today. In other words, this pagoda-shaped pork is much more difficult to make than braised pork. Anyone with eyes can see that."
Zhang Baolong stepped back in surprise, seemingly unable to accept the huge blow brought about by the defeat.
"I failed?"
“Slightly inferior,” said the Demon Eater Fairy, giving the other person a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Keep trying, you can do it, believe me.”
But what difference is there between comforting someone at this moment and mocking or ridiculing them?
Zhang Baolong was utterly dejected, his lips trembling. "Fine, fine, I'll show you my ultimate move."
"You've pulled out your trump card, so I need to have one too, since this is our last round."
The next step will determine the winner and loser, and who stays or leaves; there is no room for carelessness.
However, the organizers were indeed strict, only allowing everyone to use beef, which greatly increased the difficulty.
Zhang Baolong started making braised beef.
This braised beef isn't actually anything special. The only trick and unique point is the sauce used. Abaolou's sauce is a secret recipe developed by Zhang Baolong's father. This closely guarded secret is the main reason why the century-old brand has been able to continue operating.
As for the rest, it's even more difficult.
As before, they were announcing the names of the dishes. Someone said, "I'll make cold beef salad."
When she got to Xu Yuehuai's place, she looked at the ingredients and leisurely rolled up her sleeves.
"I'll make 'Lantern Shadow Beef'."
This dish, "Lantern Shadow Meat," is a lost art. It requires slicing beef into paper-thin slices and hanging them up.
Everyone stared intently at Xu Yuehuai, afraid of missing any subtle movements. Xu Yuehuai blanched the beef until it was six-tenths cooked, then took it out while it was still hot. He gently crushed it with a rolling pin, and in a moment, he once again demonstrated his superb knife skills.
In a short while, the beef, which was only the size of a fist, was somehow cut into several pieces that were five or six times larger in size and area than before. Each piece of meat looked exceptionally transparent and pure, and was beautiful to behold.
Even the fine strands on the slices of meat are clearly visible.
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