Chapter 112 Wild Amaranth Dumplings and Spicy Rabbit Meat
Xu Zhili tied on her apron, ready to make the next dish she had been looking forward to—spicy rabbit meat!
The wild rabbit meat from these mountains is firm and chewy, making it a perfect ingredient.
Unfortunately, these days, seasonings are scarce, and every household is struggling to make ends meet.
Having no other choice, she had to retrieve some items from her spatial storage.
Xu Zhili looked at what she had in her hands: a little salt, a small packet of chili powder that she had saved up and that wasn't ground very finely, a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns, and some scallions and ginger that were readily available.
She sighed inwardly; even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.
Fortunately, wild game is fresh enough that these basic seasonings can bring out its delicious flavor.
As the oil heats up, the drained rabbit pieces are added, and with a sizzling sound, a rich aroma of meat immediately fills the air.
Stir-fry the rabbit pieces patiently until they are golden brown and slightly charred, then remove them from the pan.
Leave a little oil in the pan, sauté ginger slices and scallion segments over low heat until fragrant, then add chili powder and Sichuan peppercorns, stir-frying until the aroma of numbing spiciness is irresistible.
Return the diced rabbit to the wok and stir-fry quickly so that each piece is coated with the bright red sauce.
Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with rice vinegar to enhance the aroma and remove any fishy smell, and finally reduce the heat to high to thicken the sauce. A plate of bright red, spicy rabbit cubes with an irresistible aroma is ready!
Just smelling it makes your mouth water.
Looking at the tempting plate of rabbit meat, Xu Zhili smiled, knowing her little gluttonous brother would definitely love it.
Tonight's dinner was exceptionally lavish: a pot of dumplings with lots of wild amaranth and fragrant meat filling, and a large plate of spicy rabbit meat.
She quickly packed the food: an aluminum lunchbox filled with dumplings, and an enamel mug filled with more than half a portion of rabbit meat. She carefully covered it, put it in a pot to keep it warm, and planned to deliver it to the cowshed that night.
Then, I filled an aluminum lunchbox with dumplings and an enamel mug with spicy rabbit pieces, and put it into the space to keep it fresh and warm. It would still be hot when I took it out of the pot. This was for Xie Yunze, to thank him for the roasted chicken and help he gave me during the day.
The remaining portion of dumplings and spicy rabbit meat was her and An'an's dinner.
"An'an, stop reading comic books and wash your hands before eating," Xu Zhili called into the house.
"Hey! An'an's here!"
Xu Zhian ran out like a happy little bird.
Seeing the bright red rabbit meat and plump dumplings on the table, their eyes lit up and they inhaled the aroma with their little noses.
Xu Zhili felt a warm glow in her heart as she looked at her younger brother's lively and greedy appearance.
Although going to the countryside is hard work, it's all worth it because it allows An'an to get away from that cold home and become cheerful and happy.
"Sit down quickly and try the wild amaranth dumplings your sister made. Do you like them?" Xu Zhili picked one up for him.
Xu Zhian couldn't wait to take a big bite. It was so hot that he was panting for breath but he couldn't bear to spit it out. The freshness of the wild amaranth mixed with the aroma of meat and the oily juice burst in his mouth.
"Mmm! Delicious!"
He mumbled incoherently, his little mouth stuffed full, his eyes narrowed into slits with happiness.
He quickly picked up a piece of rabbit meat and stuffed it into his mouth. The spicy and savory flavor instantly took over his taste buds. The rabbit meat was firm and chewy. The spiciness made his face turn red and sweat bead on his nose, but he couldn't stop eating it.
"Sister! Bunny... It smells so good, and it's spicy!" he mumbled, sucking in his breath, while reaching for the bunny with his little hand.
"Eat slowly, you little glutton!"
Xu Zhili smiled and wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth. "You can't eat too much at night, or you'll feel uncomfortable if you overeat. You have to chew slowly and carefully."
"Mmm!" Xu Zhian nodded vigorously. Although he still ate very quickly, he at least remembered to chew a few more times.
He picked up a dumpling, held it high, and brought it to his sister's mouth, his little face full of anticipation: "Sister, you should eat too."
Xu Zhili felt a warm glow in her heart and took a bite with his chopsticks.
The freshness of wild amaranth, the aroma of wheat flour, and the satisfying richness of the meat filling—a simple yet incredibly authentic flavor spreads across the tongue.
Try another piece of the rabbit meat I made myself. It's spicy and addictive, and the unique freshness of the wild rabbit is highlighted by the simple seasonings.
In the kitchen, under the dim light, the siblings ate a simple dinner, heads huddled together.
The spicy and savory aroma, mixed with the steaming dumplings and Xu Zhian's satisfied humming, intertwined to create a comforting and reassuring feeling in this impoverished era.
At 10 p.m., the Xiangyang Brigade was immersed in the thick darkness of the night, and even the barking of dogs had become sparse.
Every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, and the kerosene lamps had long been extinguished. The fatigue from a day's work had dragged the entire village into a deep sleep.
Only in the small courtyard at the foot of the mountain, Xu Zhian was curled up on the earthen bed, fast asleep, her small chest rising and falling gently with her breath.
Xu Zhili, like a nimble night cat, slipped silently into the kitchen.
In the dim light, she skillfully lifted the pot lid, and a warm aroma, a blend of the fresh scent of wild amaranth and the fragrance of meat, wafted out.
Inside are treasures that were specially reserved.
An aluminum lunchbox is filled with thin-skinned, generously filled wild amaranth and pork dumplings, while an enamel bowl holds temptingly colored and intensely fragrant spicy rabbit pieces.
She carefully carried them out and placed them in a bamboo basket lined with clean coarse cloth. Then she pulled over a thick indigo cloth and carefully covered them to ensure that not a trace of heat or fragrance would escape.
After doing all this, she walked to her younger brother Xu Zhian's bedside and gazed at him for a few seconds in the faint moonlight streaming in from the window.
After confirming that her younger brother was sleeping soundly, she silently retreated to the courtyard, her mind stirring slightly as she softly called out in her heart:
"The Tree of Life!"
Almost instantly, a gentle, cheerful voice rang in her mind: "Master, I'm here!"
Xu Zhili's gaze gently fell back to the window where her younger brother was sleeping, and she whispered but clearly instructed him in her mind: "Guard this place well, protect An'an and make sure he is safe and sound. If there is anything unusual, alert me immediately."
"Yes, Master! I guarantee to complete the mission." The voice was firm and resolute, carrying the solemnity of being trusted.
Xu Zhili tilted her head slightly, as if deep in thought.
"Tree of Life, it just doesn't feel quite right to call you that. Do you have your own name?"
The Tree of Life's voice instantly held a hint of anticipation as it said, "Master, since my birth, I have always been called the Tree of Life, and have never had any other name. Master, are you planning to give me a name?"
After a brief pause, it excitedly added, "I'm really looking forward to it!"
Xu Zhili pondered for a moment and said, "Tree of Life, how about we give you the nickname 'Sprout'? You also started as a small sprout and slowly grew into a towering tree, what do you think?"
The Tree of Life in the space happily swayed its branches, joyfully responding, "Okay, okay, Master, from now on I'll be called Ya Ya."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Tree of Life flashed with light and transformed into an ordinary tree, taking firm root in a corner of the courtyard.
The branches seemed to sway very slightly without any wind, then fell silent again, as if it were just an illusion cast by the moonlight.
Only Xu Zhili knew that Ya Ya's original consciousness had quietly attached itself to her, transforming into the most loyal sentry and bringing the courtyard into an invisible protective domain.
It silently guards the yard, all for the sake of protecting its young master's safety.
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