Although Engineer Ning said to burn the whole piece of meat, how is that possible?
There’s not even a pot big enough for five pounds of meat.
However, the meat was brought by the two elderly people, and Yin Xiaoman must cook it all in one meal.
She took a look at the side dishes in the big bamboo basket and decided that in addition to this, she would also make a twice-cooked pork, a stir-fried pork and potatoes, and a boiled meatball soup.
Since you are going to eat meat, eat enough in one meal!
After washing the meat and soaking it in cold water, Yin Xiaoman began to look for a pot.
When she came, she had no way to bring her usual things, so she could only find a way to make do with the things that Secretary Liu had bought for her.
She was already very grateful for this.
Although the young man kept saying that these were all instructions given by the deputy commander before he left.
But she knew that given her man's rudeness, being able to think of asking someone to help buy kitchen utensils was already his limit.
As for what to buy and what is suitable, he probably can't give any useful suggestions at all.
Preparing all these pots, pans, colander and chopping boards must have been very difficult for a young man like Xiao Liu who obviously hasn't got married yet.
I guess I consulted a lot of people.
Thinking of this, Yin Xiaoman felt even more grateful to him.
But even though I'm grateful, to be honest, there aren't many of these things I can use.
Every chef cares most about the right tools, and Yin Xiaoman is no exception.
She had kitchen knives and other small items, and she brought them all with her, but the pots - she had given them all away.
After searching the entire kitchen, Yin Xiaoman still couldn't find a casserole.
But if you want to make braised pork, it’s hard to ensure it tastes good without a good casserole.
In her opinion, knowing this and still making do with it is a waste of God's gifts and is unforgivable.
After thinking it over again and again, she stood up from the cupboard and said to the two old men behind her, "Uncle, Uncle Ning, you guys sit down first. I'll go get something and come right back."
Just now when she was cleaning up the dishes, Mr. Hua had already told her that he had made their relationship public.
It was precisely because of this relationship that he could legitimately apply to the organization to transfer from the Beijing Design Institute's retirement home to the Jincheng retirement home, on the grounds that he wanted to live with his only relatives in the country - his niece and her husband.
Old experts like them, who gave up their foreign citizenship and returned to China to serve the motherland and have no relatives, are usually arranged to live in the unit's retirement homes after retirement.
Without special reasons, the organization will not allow them to change places at will.
After all, there are systems and special approval documents for what level, how to arrange, and what grade to enjoy.
What's more, Mr. Hua was still in the declassification period at that time and was a key protected person.
Fortunately, Jincheng, where Yin Xiaoman and his colleagues are located, was originally an important cooperative unit of the design institute.
The Jincheng Design Institute’s Retirement Home is located in the same compound as the Jincheng Military Region’s Retirement Home, and is also next to the division’s headquarters, with their walls touching.
There is also a small door in the middle that allows direct entry and exit from the inside.
In this way, the safety aspect is actually better than the retirement home in Beijing.
Therefore, when Hua learned that the relative he wanted to join was the deputy division commander of the Jincheng Military Region and worked in the division headquarters, which was right across the street from the retirement home, the unit readily approved his application.
The unit approved Mr. Hua's application, but Mr. Ning quit.
He felt like he was almost pissed off to death by his old partner!
Ten years, they have been together for ten years, every day, day and night, and he didn't even know that this person was related to Xiaoman!
Although he knew there was a reason for this and that his old friend did this to protect Xiaoman's family, the old man still couldn't get around it and almost broke off his friendship with Mr. Hua because of it.
In the end, it was Old Hua who went to the organization again, and brought Ning Gong over as well, on the grounds that neither of them had any relatives and would need to keep each other company when they got old.
This matter is finally done.
Therefore, at this time, Yin Xiaoman could openly call Hua "Uncle Hua", and he could also call Ning Gong "Uncle".
This made her feel like she was surrounded by her family again, and her mood suddenly became much better.
Yin Xiaoman went to the small room next to the living room.
The room was supposed to be used as a reception room or study, but Shen Qingyun was not at home. In addition, they did not have many books on the island, and did not bring the few that they had.
So the room is empty at the moment.
But all the luggage they hadn't had time to pack yesterday was in this room, which could be used to cover her up now.
After locking the door from the inside, Yin Xiaoman went straight into the space.
This was her first time coming here since she left the island.
When she was in the troupe before, she and Erniu lived in the same room, and there were always people around them every day, so she didn't take the risk.
This time when she came in, Yin Xiaoman felt something different again, that is - she could no longer feel the existence of the imperial kitchen.
She didn’t know if it was because Lichun left, but at the moment she could only stay in this little house of her own. No matter how many times she repeated it in her heart, she couldn’t even enter the imperial kitchen, let alone the small warehouse.
Although Yin Xiaoman was mentally prepared for this result, she still felt uncomfortable when it suddenly came true.
Fortunately, she didn't have time to feel sad now. There were people waiting for her outside, and she didn't dare to stay here any longer.
She came in this time to get the casserole.
Lichun, the child from a domineering family, wanted to collect all the things that could be taken and used from the imperial kitchen for her for the last time. Yin Xiaoman also transported all of them to his own cabin.
She didn't look closely at it at the time, but she remembered clearly that there were some very good pots and pans in it.
She rummaged through the pile of things that had not yet been put away, and finally found a medium-sized casserole dish. Yin Xiaoman was very satisfied with the casserole, because it looked like something that was being used.
This way, she wouldn't have to start over again and it would be easier to explain.
She took the casserole, a bottle of rice wine, some rock sugar seasoning and left the space. I glanced at my watch and saw that it only took ten minutes in total, and I felt relieved.
He walked into the kitchen with his things, but saw only Mr. Hua sitting inside. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Uncle, where is Uncle Ning?"
"Erniu said that there was only one stove at home and it was not enough. Ning Gong took her to the military service center to buy a small coal stove."
Seeing Yin Xiaoman's surprised expression, Hua Lao added, "In fact, the conditions of the division headquarters are quite good. Not only does it have a service center, but it also has its own vegetable store and grain and oil store. Although you have to go early for many things, and they may not be available if you go too late, you can buy basic daily necessities without leaving the camp. You can think of this place as another form of Zhongshan Island."
At this point, the old man smiled and said, "When we have nothing to do in the afternoon, your uncle Ning and I will take you for a walk. The old man is busy every day now, and there is a small door connecting the retirement home to this side.
He goes back and forth so many times a day, and he is more familiar with this place than the retirement home. ”
Hearing what Mr. Hua said, Yin Xiaoman also started laughing. From the old people's words, she clearly felt that they were living a good life after returning. At least my mental state is much better than before.
Maybe it’s because the pressure is much less.
While chatting with the old man, Yin Xiaoman placed the clay pot he had taken out of the room next to the stove.
She was about to take it to the sink to wash it when she heard Mr. Hua behind her suddenly shout, "Don't move!"
She was caught off guard and was so frightened that she almost threw the casserole to the ground!
Old Hua’s face turned pale.
He rushed over at an unprecedented speed and caught the casserole, then held it in his arms, and looked at Yin Xiaoman nervously: "Where did you get this?!"
Yin Xiaoman was stunned by his question.
Fortunately, she had thought about how to phrase it before, so she answered without hesitation: "I brought it from home."
Only after I finished speaking did I realize something seemed to be wrong.
She originally thought that the old man might complain to her for carrying these impractical items from such a long distance when he saw these things, but now it seems that her uncle did not mean that. He seems to care more about... this casserole?
"Brought it from home?" Old Hua repeated her words a little incredulously, and then his eyes lingered on the casserole again.
When he saw the traces of charcoal burning on the casserole, the old man seemed to suddenly realize something. He couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows several times, with an expression that showed he couldn't accept such a blow at all.
After a while, he finally asked with difficulty: "Xiao Man, didn't you always use this pot to cook for us before?"
"No." Yin Xiaoman shook his head.
The expression on Mr. Hua's face finally improved a lot.
"This pot is too small. There are so many people in the expert group, and we can't use this pot to cook. I only use it occasionally at home, and I don't take it out often."
Of course she can't say that this is what she uses every day. You have to know that Dabao and Erniu have as many opportunities to go into the kitchen as she does. If she says too much, it will be more troublesome if the two children become suspicious.
That's still what I usually use!
Mr. Hua’s eyebrows and nose were almost wrinkled into pimples.
He hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "Xiao Man, you should change the pot. This pot is very precious. If I am not mistaken, it should be an antique. You should change it. If you use it like this, what if it breaks..."
Old Hua was at a loss for words to say. He couldn't even imagine that this little girl actually roasted such a precious thing over the fire every day!
He reached out and pounded his chest, feeling as if he were suffocating just thinking about that scene.
Yin Xiaoman was stunned by what Mr. Hua said.
She thought that the old man might complain about her bringing the pot from far away, but she didn't expect that a pot used every day in the imperial kitchen would become a treasure in the old man's hands!
"But, but I have always used this one? If you don't let me use it, what should I do with today's braised pork? There is no other pot?" she asked a little helplessly.
Although there are several other pots in the space, they are all similar to this one. Yin Xiaoman knew without taking it out that the old man would not let her use it even if she took it out. And seeing the old man's expression, she was a little afraid to take it out.
Mr. Hua really wanted to hold the pot in his arms.
But Yin Xiaoman’s words still stunned him.
He looked at his niece's puzzled expression, then at the traces of daily use on the pot in his hand, and the old man fell silent.
He realized he had lost his composure.
He suddenly remembered the many treasures he had seen that had been smashed and destroyed...
Looking at the pot in his hand again, the old man sighed silently.
Or perhaps, it was precisely because it had such a use that it was able to escape the initial disaster.
He slowly withdrew his hand.
"Use it." The old man added softly.
Yin Xiaoman took the pot away and rinsed it in water.
Although Mr. Hua returned the pot to her, his eyes seemed to be glued to the pot and he stared at it without missing a beat. He didn't even sit down, but just followed Yin Xiaoman closely.
She felt like she didn't know what to do with her hands and feet.
Yin Xiaoman was silent for a moment, then handed the cleaned pot to Mr. Hua: "Uncle, if you like it, I'll give it to you. I'll stew it in an iron pot."
Mr. Hua shook his head and said, "Just use it to stew. The primary purpose of a pot is to cook. Everything else is secondary."
But it was obvious that this was said against his will. Before he could finish his words, the old man quickly added: "But you still have to be careful and handle it with care."
Yin Xiaoman nodded.
Although it is quite stressful to work under the watchful eyes of an elderly person, one still has to do what needs to be done.
Cut off a piece of the washed meat and set it aside for later use, then wipe the rest dry and cut it into pieces the size of two finger lengths.
Put the iron pan on the fire to heat it up, then put the cut meat in one by one and stick them all on the iron pan.
Fry slowly over low heat until the fat seeps out, then gently flip it over with chopsticks.
Soon, because the oil was forced out, the surfaces of all the meat pieces turned slightly yellow and burnt, and the fat layer became translucent.
The unique aroma of meat fat also slowly spread in the kitchen.
Zhihua and Shiyan, who were making coal cakes with Dabao in the yard before, couldn't stand it anymore, so they left their brother and ran in.
Standing at the kitchen door, he poked his little head in.
"Go out and play first. This will take a while. Don't stand here. You'll be in the way."
While scolding the child, Yin Xiaoman put rock sugar into the iron pot.
The white rock sugar melted quickly when it came into contact with the hot oil. After stir-frying for a few times, the aroma of caramel is immediately added to the meat.
Sweet and fragrant.
The number of times Zhihua and Shiyan have eaten fresh meat since they were born can be counted on one hand.
I have never even seen hard dishes like braised pork.
At least Dabao had eaten boiled meat once, but the two little ones didn’t even have that opportunity.
Therefore, the temptation of the things in Yin Xiaoman's pot at this moment was too great for them.
It is so big that even its own mother cannot chase it away.
"Mom, we won't eat, we'll just watch. I promise not to move."
Seeing Yin Xiaoman turned his head again, Zhihua waved his hand quickly. But his eyes were opened as wide as possible, and his body leaned forward, as if - if he wasn't afraid of his mother's beating, he would have wanted to crawl into the pot.
Shi Yan stood behind his brother without saying a word, standing on tiptoe and staring at his mother's every move, his eyes full of curiosity and amazement.
Seeing the two children like this, Mr. Hua felt his heart melt. He felt around his body, hoping to find a piece of candy or something, but after searching for a long time, he found nothing.
The old man sighed guiltily, and reached out to stroke the two children's heads: "Be obedient, and grandpa will buy you some candy later."
These two guys are not lacking in sugar, they are clearly lacking in meat! Yin Xiaoman looked at the three people, old and young, with a bit of amusement, pursed her lips and said nothing.
When Erniu and the others brought back the newly bought coal stove, Yin Xiaoman had just fried the meat and poured it into a casserole and put it on the fire to stew.
Dabao took the stove skillfully, filled it with coal briquettes as quickly as possible, lit it, and then carried it into the kitchen.
The young man put the casserole on the stove and simmered it on low heat. He walked around the room, then naturally took the piece of meat that Yin Xiaoman had cut earlier and started to mince it.
From beginning to end, the mother and son didn't even communicate with each other, but they cooperated very well.
Mr. Hua was extremely surprised and couldn't help asking Dabao, "Do you know what your mother is going to do?"
Dabao took a look at the dried shrimps, seaweed, egg whites and starch placed beside the stove, and answered without hesitation: "Make raw meatballs."
Mr. Hua immediately turned his gaze to Yin Xiaoman again. His eyes were full of questions.
"He has been cooking with me for many years. The side dishes are all there. How could he not see it?" Yin Xiaoman explained with a smile.
The old man couldn't help but marvel at what he said.
Although they have known each other for so many years, this is the first time that Mr. Hua has seen Yin Xiaoman cook with his own eyes. Watching her and Dabao busy in the kitchen, the old man suddenly felt at peace.
A long-lost feeling of home.
Because no one had eaten much breakfast, lunch started early today. It was just eleven o'clock, and the whistle for lunch in the cafeteria had not yet sounded. In the Shen family restaurant, everyone was already sitting around the table.
Braised pork, twice-cooked pork, boiled meatballs, stir-fried pork with potatoes, plus a plate of thinly sliced, greasy, bright red sausages. Today's lunch is an all-meat feast, the most sumptuous ever.
Even before eating, just by smelling the flavor, everyone's faces showed expressions of great satisfaction.
Ning Gong had been thinking about the braised pork for too long, so as soon as everyone sat down, he couldn't help but picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.
The food was so rich in oil and sauce, soft, glutinous and crispy that Ning Gong didn't know what words to use to describe his feelings at the moment.
For a moment, he even felt his nose was a little sore.
This smell made him feel as if he was back in his youth, the best and most carefree years of his life.
"How does it taste?" Yin Xiaoman asked softly.
Mr. Ning didn't say anything, but just nodded vigorously and gave her a thumbs up.
It took him a while to recover, he sighed deeply, and said with an embarrassed smile: "Xiao Man, your skills have improved again. I just had a feeling that I suddenly felt younger and full of strength."
The old man's words made everyone laugh.
Everyone thought he was praising Yin Xiaoman's cooking skills, except Hua Gong, who had just eaten a piece of the dish, who sighed slightly.
He felt that he was the only one who could understand his old friend's mood at the moment.
The whole family ate a lot at this meal.
Because they are so familiar with each other, no one treats the other as an outsider.
After dinner, Yin Xiaoman unceremoniously pulled up the two elders who originally wanted to stay in the rattan chairs in the living room and dragged them to the door, forcing them to take a walk to digest the food.
As the cool breeze blew, the sleepiness of the two old men was immediately blown away, and even their minds became much clearer.
Mr. Hua suddenly remembered the thing he had been thinking about before he came here, and immediately put away his laziness and asked seriously: "Xiao Man, what are your plans for the next step?"
Yin Xiaoman was stunned by the old man's question, and asked in confusion: "What are your plans?"
She's only been here for one day and hasn't even memorized the location of her home. What plans can she have?
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