Steamed Tofu with Minced Pork and Bamboo Shoots

Aunt Feng came over and brought her some fresh bamboo shoots, which are good stuff.

"My nephew went outside the city to dig spring bamboo shoots. I found them bitter and astringent. I thought you could make them, so I brought them to you."

Song Shixia said in surprise: "Spring bamboo shoots are good stuff. Let me soak them overnight and I'll cook them tomorrow and let you taste them."

"Then I'll wait. I don't know what's wrong with your hands, but everything tastes good when you cook it."

Song Shixia took the hot roast pork out of the pot and stuffed it with chopped donkey meat.

"Try it."

Huo bao should be eaten while it is hot. Aunt Feng took a bite of the crispy huo bao. The hot huo bao melted the fat in the donkey meat. The tender and juicy donkey meat and the crispy huo bao were a perfect match made in heaven. It was a delicacy.

Aunt Feng was speechless. She raised her thumb to indicate that it was delicious.

Song Shixia distributed the steamed buns to the children one by one: "Eat slowly, it's a little hot."

The child from Aunt Feng's family made a "shashasha" sound with a distorted face as he took a bite and chewed it.

Song Shixia didn't know what to say.

Aunt Feng licked the brine off her fingers and said, "You little bastards, am I starving you every day? You eat like little pigs."

The three children had never eaten such delicious food at home, so they didn’t care even when being scolded, and just ate while blowing the cake.

Song Shixia smiled and poured water for Aunt Feng: "I was worried that the child would not dare to eat donkey meat, so I specially saved some brined beef, but it seems that it won't be used."

Aunt Feng said earnestly, "If they don't want to eat, it's because they don't have the good fortune to eat. It's hard for you to still think about them. You should keep the beef for yourself and your children. I've never seen anyone as generous as you. You want to treat outsiders with all the good things."

"I bought five kilograms of it before, and I ate it every few days. The children were tired of it, and I think they wouldn't be happy if I asked them to continue eating it. I'm not generous, but there's nothing to worry about at home, so I can only improve the three meals a day."

Aunt Feng was full of envy: "You have such a comfortable life now. You just need to take care of your two children and your vegetable garden. My family always cooks simple rice, but this one is so gluttonous."

"My aunt's children are all in school, and the expenses are high. When Ji Yang and Yuan Yuan go to elementary school, I'm afraid I'll have to go back to work too."

Aunt Feng observed her and said, "With your thin arms and legs, you'll probably have to work in an office. Physical work isn't suitable for you."

Song Shixia didn't even have plans for the future: "Let's talk about it later. It's still too early for them to go to elementary school."

Aunt Feng reminded her: "You have to make plans early, otherwise you will be at a loss when the time comes."

Song Shixia changed the subject: "Auntie, you are usually so busy working with Professor Xie, is it Nini who takes care of the brothers at home?"

Aunt Feng sighed, "That's right. Nini takes Ping An home after school every day and picks up Xiao Yu on the way. Nini is sensible and knows how to care for me, but she always likes to quarrel with Ping An, even over the smallest things. It's a headache."

Song Shixia saw the opportunity and said, "Nini is the eldest in the family. She must have the authority to control her younger brothers. Otherwise, they will complain to you when they make mistakes. Isn't this condoning them to disobey their sister?"

Aunt Feng fell into deep thought: "It seems to be true, but Ping An..."

Song Shixia interrupted her: "Auntie, Ping An is very healthy now. You have raised him to be very strong. He is so lively and doesn't look like a child born from a difficult labor. Nini is sensible and would not beat her brother for no reason, right?"

Aunt Feng subconsciously wanted to explain.

"That's true, but..."

Song Shixia advised her earnestly: "Auntie, you are too partial to Ping An. Nini and Xiaoyu are both good children. You have to treat them equally and not let them feel disappointed."

"You and Professor Xie are busy with work, so why not transfer the management rights to Nini? It's normal for siblings to quarrel. Let them resolve it among themselves, and don't always take sides."

Aunt Feng was very conflicted. The fact that Ping An almost died was a heartache for her, and she was really afraid of repeating the same mistake.

"Let me think about it."

Song Shixia sighed helplessly, how could Aunt Feng, who was so smart, make such a mistake here? In a family with three children, the second child was favored. The third child was called quiet to put it nicely, but in fact, he was cowardly and was often bullied by the second child.

The eldest child was precocious and watched helplessly as his mother spoiled his well-behaved younger brother. When she wanted to discipline him, she was scolded for being ignorant. Aunt Feng personally pushed away the caring Nini.

In the long run, the second child will develop a selfish character, thinking that his mother will cover everything for him, and who knows what kind of trouble he will cause when he grows up. The first and third children will be suppressed for a long time, and they will no longer be close to their parents when they grow up.

Aunt Feng took the child home with a lot of worries. Song Shixia asked her to bring two pieces of hot donkey kabobs to Professor Xie.

Professor Xie had been home for a while. He could hear the noise from the next door through the courtyard wall. He resisted the urge to join in the fun, but he couldn't bring himself to eat for free. Besides, Professor Ji was not at home, so what could he talk about with the woman?

His eyes widened when he saw the roasted donkey meat, and he quickly took a bite.

"Comrade Xiao Song's brother is here? Why didn't you come back earlier and call me?"

Feng Lian was puzzled: "My legs are on you, you can't ask me to ask you to move over, right?"

Professor Xie: "You don't understand. I am trying to avoid suspicion. There are so many women in the room. What would I say if I went over there?"

Feng Lian laughed at him: "It's a new era now, but your thinking is still stuck in the feudal dynasty."

"Whether this is a new era or not, there is no man in the other party's family, so it is not appropriate for me to go there."

Feng Lian didn't want to argue with him, so she repeated what Comrade Xiao Song had said to persuade her.

"Do you think I'm going too far?"

Professor Xie finished his last bite slowly and said, "As for this question, hiccup...I don't dare to answer it."

Feng Lian patted his arm: "Why don't you dare to say it!"

Professor Xie hid far away: "I think Comrade Xiao Song is right. How dare I say anything when you are disciplining your child? You are the one who suffers when giving birth. I am afraid that if I interfere, you will scold me too."

Feng Lian gave him a look.

"Do you really think I'm biased? Ping An almost died at that time, and I just wanted to compensate him."

"You can't be biased even if you compensate Ping An. Look who is close to you at home now. You think of Ping An for everything good. The two kids next door are so lively. Look at our Xiao Yu. I feel sorry for him."

Feng Lian was a little embarrassed: "I wasn't that excessive."

The children were chasing each other in the yard. Ping An rushed around like a bully. Feng Lian watched him lose control and fall on his butt. The next second he sat on the ground and cried loudly.

Professor Xie saw through her: "Are you going to yell at Nini again for not looking after her brother?"

Feng Lian's thoughts were seen through, and she tried to make amends.

"Okay, my greatest strength is that I can correct my mistakes. Just wait and see."

She rushed into the yard, and Nini and Xiaoyu stood together, staring at her as if she were a bad person.

Feng Lian felt a lump in her heart.

"Ping An, why are you sitting on the floor? Wash your dirty clothes yourself."

Ping An sat on the ground and wiped his tears, "Mom, my sister and brother bullied me."

Xiaoyu wanted to explain, but her sister pulled her back: "Yes, we did bully you. What else can you do every day except pretend crying and complaining to mom?"

After she finished speaking, she pulled Xiaoyu into the house. In the past, her mother would criticize her without any reason at this time, saying that she should set a good example, but her mother didn't stop her and her brother when they walked into the house.

Feng Lian pulled Ping An up from the ground and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

"Are you happy? You've driven Nini and Xiaoyu away. I can't do anything if they ignore you in the future."

Ping An was dumbfounded.

Song Shixia hummed a song while processing the spring bamboo shoots, and Song Qiu Sheng was puzzled.

"It's just a pot of spring bamboo shoots. Look at it to make you happy."

"Spring bamboo shoots are good, rich in nutrients. This season is the time to eat bamboo shoots."

"If you like, I can send you some from my hometown, but you have to wait until the end of May."

Song Shixia rolled her eyes and said, "No need for that. It would be a lot of trouble to send it here specially."

Song Qiusheng pointed out ruthlessly: "Haven't you ordered me around many times before? Are you still embarrassed now?"

Teacher Zhao's relative came over early in the morning on a tricycle. Song Qiu Sheng washed his hands, took two buns from the kitchen, and held one in his mouth.

"Master Zhao, have you had breakfast?"

When Master Zhao saw him holding the buns, he quickly said he had eaten.

Song Qiu Sheng stuffed the bun into his mouth and said, "After you've had this, try the buns my sister makes. They're really delicious."

Master Zhao couldn't refuse, and finished eating the buns with Song Qiu Sheng at the door.

After eating the buns, we became familiar with each other.

"How is it? Does it taste good?"

Master Zhao gave a thumbs up and said, "These buns are better than those sold in breakfast shops outside. The tofu is so fragrant. Your sister's cooking skills are amazing."

At noon, Song Shixia had to prepare lunch for Master Zhao, so she prepared steamed tofu with minced pork and cold spring bamboo shoots with red oil. She went to the small market and bought a piece of tofu.

Wash and cut spring bamboo shoots into sections, blanch and chop for later use. Chop the meat into minced meat and marinate for ten minutes. Heat the pan and stir-fry the minced meat until golden brown. Add the bamboo shoots and stir-fry. Add water and bring to a boil.

Cut the tofu into thick slices and place them evenly on the bottom of the plate. Place the fried minced pork and bamboo shoots on top and steam them in a large pot for 20 minutes.

Song Shixia took a bite and found the diced bamboo shoots and minced meat really delicious with rice.

The cold spring bamboo shoots with red oil are very simple. She ripped the blanched bamboo shoots into thin strips. This is mainly due to the sauce. Since there are children at home, Song Shixia did not add chili peppers. The result is a slightly spicy taste, suitable for all ages.

There was some tofu left, so she cooked some vegetable and tofu soup. The two dishes and the soup were very filling.

As soon as the food was served, Song Qiu Sheng and Master Zhao came back, with just the right timing.

Song Shixia asked the child to wash his hands.

Master Zhao wanted to leave after the things were delivered, but Song Qiu Sheng pulled him in to have lunch.

"This is so bad. You guys paid me, how can I stay for dinner?"

Song Shixia invited with a smile: "Master Zhao, I have to trouble you again this afternoon. The food will be cold when you go home. Why don't you stay and have a hot meal? Don't you think I am a bad cook?"

Master Zhao quickly explained: "How could that be? The steamed buns you make are really delicious. This is the first time I've eaten such delicious tofu-filled buns."

Song Qiu Sheng pushed Master Zhao to the bathroom to wash their hands.

"Master Zhao, please don't be so formal. Sit down and eat. In the countryside, we always provide lunch for those who help us. It's not a big meal, so don't be dissatisfied."

After being persuaded by Song Qiu Sheng, Master Zhao sat down dazedly.

The two little guys couldn't wait, and hurriedly scooped up the bamboo shoots and minced meat with a spoon as soon as the guests arrived at the table.

Song Shixia scooped some soup for them to mix with the rice, and the two little guys buried their heads in eating.

Master Zhao was stunned.

Song Shixia stretched out her hand and waved it in front of him: "Master Zhao, don't be in a daze, the food is getting cold."

Master Zhao came to his senses and said, "Your child is really well behaved. My old lady is very busy serving my grandchildren meals. It's like a death sentence for them to eat."

Song Shixia couldn't help laughing out loud.