At noon on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Manager Hua led three boats into Peach Blossom Spring and docked at the Eleven Trees Wharf.
He came to pick up vegetables.
In autumn, Taohuayuan added another ten acres of vegetable greenhouses.
Half of the vegetables were transported to general stores in Youzhou City for sale.
The other half was left to Manager Hua.
He transported all the tender corn he had left for Manager Hua to the capital.
They also followed the method of the general stores in Youzhou City, dividing the tender corn into large and small pieces, raw and cooked, and selling them together.
The price was half again as high as in Youzhou City.
When Li Lanzhen saw Manager Hua arrive, she thought of handing over the hot pot recipe she had been planning for a long time to him.
Before that, the adults and children in Peach Blossom Spring would definitely be the first to eat hot pot.
Li Lanzhen quickly made arrangements, with people picking fresh vegetables, cutting meat, and cooking soup, all proceeding swiftly and efficiently.
Li Lanzhen had already made ten hot pots at the blacksmith's shop in Youzhou City.
And it can only be the home version.
With so many people here today, we can only eat hot pot cooked in a big iron pot outside the venue.
Han Dazhong and the men set up fifteen large iron pots in the area in front of the dining hall.
Li Lanzhen taught Xue Nizi, Tonghua, and Li Sanya how to make spicy hot pot base.
Ask Aunt Huaihua to boil several pots of bone broth, which will be the base for the hot pot soup.
One of the pots was prepared for children and people who couldn't eat spicy food.
Li Lanzhen plans to turn this pot of bone broth into a three-delicacy hot pot broth.
Many hands make light work; before it even got dark, people started gathering with their bowls in hand.
The rich and unique aroma of the hot pot wafted throughout Peach Blossom Spring, and those who smelled it couldn't help but take a few deep breaths.
The children had arrived early, their eyes fixed on the bubbling, red hot pot, glistening with a layer of oil.
They smacked their lips and talked to each other.
"This pot is all red, full of chili peppers. Do you want to eat chili peppers today? Or drink this chili pepper soup?"
"Yes, this chili smells so good! I can see chicken and bones in it."
"There's a pot over there, the soup is milky white, not red, so there shouldn't be any chili peppers in it."
"Yes, I saw it too. That pot must be for our children, right?"
"Come on, let's line up there."
"You guys go ahead, I just love spicy food, I want to eat hot pot with the adults here."
Not to mention the children, even adults are drooling over the aroma.
Then, bowl after bowl of sliced meat was poured into the pot.
One bowl of tofu after another was poured into the pot.
One bowl after another of vermicelli was poured into the pot.
Cabbage slices, potato chunks, and sweet potato slices were all poured into the pot one after another.
People didn't sit on stools; they just stood there.
A group of people were gathered around a pot.
Bonfires were lit on both sides, illuminating the area brightly.
A row of tables was set up in front of the iron pot, with large iron ladles and several large wooden basins filled with minced garlic and chopped green onions on them.
Several women used to take care of the children who ate from that pot.
When Li Lanzhen saw that the meat was almost cooked, she called out.
"Okay, it's cooked. Everyone can eat now, but be careful not to burn yourselves."
The pot of food for the children also needs attention; if necessary, use a spoon to scoop it into their bowls so they can eat it.
Li Lanzhen used an iron spoon to scoop a bowl of cooked meat and vegetables for Manager Hua.
"Manager Hua, come on, have a taste and see how it tastes?"
Manager Hua accepted the gift with both hands, beaming with joy.
Actually, when he smelled the aroma of the hot pot, he felt that it must be a very unique dish.
Looking at it now, this pot contains meat, vegetables, and spicy, fragrant chili oil.
Moreover, he had already seen that Li Lanzhen had added minced garlic, chopped green onions, and vinegar to the bottom of the empty bowl she was holding.
This is probably the dipping sauce that Li Lanzhen was talking about.
Manager Hua picked up a piece of meat, wrapped it with minced garlic and scallions, and put it in his mouth.
The spicy and savory flavor instantly filled my mouth, sending inspiration soaring to my heavens.
He was chewing something and nodding his head repeatedly.
"Mmm, it's delicious!"
Li Lanzhen knew exactly who could resist hot pot!
If so, then eat his food seven or eight times a day.
"Manager Hua, this is called a hot pot. If you eat hot pot in a restaurant, you can put a pot this big on one table."
One pot can feed two, four, or six people.
Once the broth boils, you can add the meats and vegetables little by little according to your own taste and cook them in the broth.
But such conditions are not available here today.
Just put all the ingredients in, meat and vegetables in that order, and cook them until done.
Han Dazhong said, "It tastes great this way too! It's cooked in one go, and you can just scoop out whatever you want to eat. It's so delicious!"
Manager Hua immediately understood what Li Lanzhen meant.
He kept chewing, and started making plans in his mind.
I wonder if Mrs. Li will sell this hot pot recipe directly to the restaurant, or if she will collaborate with them?
After we finish eating hotpot, I'll quickly find her to discuss this matter.
It's still cold outside, this hot pot is sure to be a big hit!
If things go quickly, I can be working in the restaurant in less than a month.
Li Lanzhen glanced at Manager Hua, knowing he understood her meaning, and pointed to the minced garlic, scallions, soy sauce, and vinegar on the table next to her.
"Manager Hua, the dipping sauce for this hot pot is also important. You can use minced scallions, ginger, and garlic, as well as crushed peanuts, sesame oil, sesame paste, vinegar, and soy sauce."
These were all served in large bowls, and diners could take as much as they wanted.
Manager Hua's eyes lit up when he heard this. This would make the flavors even more diverse!
Seeing that he understood, Li Lanzhen said no more and lowered her head to start eating.
Because she simply couldn't stand the overpowering aroma of hot pot.
This was her first time eating hot pot since she transmigrated, and she was getting a little hungry and her mouth was watering.
After a hot pot meal, both adults and children had full bellies.
That pot of seafood soup without chili was completely devoured.
The pot is now half full of water. Once it's heated, we'll prepare to wash the dishes.
I also scooped out half a spoonful of the spicy broth to taste.
It was so spicy that it made me spit out the liquor after just one sip, but I couldn't bear to throw it away, so I slowly slurped it all down.
And so, there were still three large bowls of spicy hot pot broth left.
Everyone asked that we save it so we could cook some vegetables tomorrow morning, even without meat, and have it with steamed buns for another meal.
After cleaning up the iron pots and pans, the adults took the children for a stroll to eat.
Li Lanzhen called Han Minghai, and Han Mingxiang and Manager Hua went to the dining room together.
Once everyone was seated, she spoke directly to Manager Hua.
"Manager Hua, what do you think if this hot pot were served in your restaurant?"
"Of course, this is definitely profitable."
Because this is unique to the Le Dynasty.
Mrs. Li, how do you think we can cooperate?
"Do you want to sell our hot pot recipe to our restaurant all at once, or do you want to split the profits?"
Li Lanzhen smiled. It's so nice to deal with smart people; you don't have to waste your breath.
"I want a share, 20% of the net profit of your Sifang Restaurant hotpot business in Lichao."
As soon as Li Lanzhen finished speaking, Manager Hua replied without hesitation.
“Okay, let’s do it this way. I’ll draft the contract. Mrs. Li, once you’ve reviewed it, if there are no changes, we’ll reach an agreement immediately.”
Han Mingxiang immediately prepared the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
The contract was completed in no time.
Li Lanzhen took it and looked at it carefully, then, remembering that no one knew she could read, she handed it to Han Mingxiang.
"Son, read it aloud, and we'll all listen."
Han Mingxiang took the contract and read it aloud to everyone.
After listening, Li Lanzhen felt there was nothing to change, so she asked her two sons.
"Do you see anything that needs to be changed?"
Han Minghai and Han Mingxiang both shook their heads and said no.
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