Lu Fan checked and saw that it was about enough, then said to An Lan, "That's about enough. These snails are enough for several meals. If we keep picking them, our kitchen will be too full."
An Lan straightened up, rubbed her sore back, and said with a hint of regret, "It's a pity we didn't catch any prey today. I even brought my bow and arrows. It seems that hunting is all about luck."
"It's not that easy to catch prey. It's okay, let's try again tomorrow. Maybe we'll have a lucky streak and catch a big one," Lu Fan said optimistically, trying to comfort us.
With their bountiful harvest, the two embarked on their journey home.
Along the way, they chatted amongst themselves, imagining the delicious food they would have that evening, their stomachs already rumbling as if urging them to hurry home and enjoy this sumptuous feast.
Back at the shelter, Lu Fan was eager to try his hand at cooking, ready to turn the day's catch into a mouthwatering delicacy.
He sent Dahei aside to play, then turned to Anlan and said confidently, "Just wait and enjoy the snails and crabs I've prepared. I guarantee you'll rave about them and won't be able to stop eating them."
An Lan sat down to the side with a smile, her face beaming with anticipation, ready to enjoy Lu Fan's culinary performance.
Lu Fan first emptied the snails from the basket and began to process them carefully.
He picked up a pair of scissors and skillfully cut off the tails of the snails one by one, his speed as fast as the wind, each cut precise and accurate.
"Once you cut off the tail, you can easily suck out the meat when you eat it. It's very convenient, and it also allows the snail to better absorb the flavor of the seasoning."
As Lu Fan cut the cloth, he patiently explained to An Lan, his earnest demeanor as if he were imparting some unparalleled martial arts secret.
An Lan looked at the densely packed snails and felt a slight chill run down her spine: "There are so many, how long will it take to cut them all? I'm getting dizzy just looking at them."
Lu Fan chuckled and comforted him, "Don't worry, practice makes perfect. Besides, what's a little effort compared to the unforgettable meal tonight? Consider it a sweet price to pay for the delicious food."
Sure enough, before long, thanks to Lu Fan's efforts, all the snails' tails were cut off.
Lu Fan rinsed the snails repeatedly in clean water, over and over again, until the water became crystal clear and every snail was washed clean, without a trace of mud or sand remaining.
"Alright, the snails are done, now it's time for the river crabs."
He poured the river crabs into a large basin, and looking at these little guys with their claws outstretched and domineering behavior, Lu Fan couldn't help but tease them.
"You were all so obedient when we arrested you just now, why are you acting so arrogant now? Trying to escape? Not so easy."
As he spoke, he picked up a brush and scrubbed the crabs one by one. The crabs thrashed about in the basin, struggling to escape this "dangerous area," but in the end, they could not escape Lu Fan's "clutches."
Even a few mischievous crabs crawled out of the basin, but Lu Fan caught them back quickly.
An Lan watched from the side, grinning from ear to ear: "You look just like a prison warden, and these censors are like prisoners trying to escape."
"Unfortunately, they're not Andy. No matter how much they struggle, they can't escape my grasp," Lu Fan replied seriously, a confident smile on his face.
The cleaned river crabs were neatly arranged to the side, and Lu Fan began preparing the ingredients for frying them.
He carefully took out the lard he had been saving for a long time and slowly poured it into the pot. Instantly, a rich and mellow aroma filled the entire kitchen.
"Frying river crabs with lard is absolutely amazing! It's so fragrant it would make the neighbor's kids cry with envy," Lu Fan said proudly, his face beaming with love and pride for the food.
As the oil temperature gradually rose, Lu Fan carefully placed the river crabs into the pot. "Crackling and popping," the pot immediately became lively as the river crabs tumbled and rolled happily in the oil, as if they were performing a passionate dance.
In no time, it turned into an enticing golden yellow, a color that made one's mouth water.
Lu Fan scooped out the fried river crabs, sprinkled them with salt, and gently stirred them.
Each river crab is evenly coated with salt grains, which act like a mysterious golden coat, enhancing the aroma.
"The moment the salt is sprinkled, the aroma is fully brought out; it's the perfect finishing touch."
After frying the river crabs, Lu Fan immediately started stir-frying the snails.
He poured a suitable amount of oil into the pot, added scallions and ginger to sauté until fragrant. Instantly, the kitchen was filled with a wonderful aroma that tantalized the senses and whetted one's appetite.
Next, he poured the washed snails into the pot, stir-fried them quickly for a few seconds, and then added various spices.
The spices mingled with the snails in the pot, creating a unique aroma that filled the entire kitchen.
"Wow, it smells so good! I can hardly resist it. This aroma is making my mouth water."
An Lan kept swallowing, her eyes fixed on the snails in the pot, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
"Don't worry, I have my secret weapon."
Lu Fan mysteriously took out his carefully pickled chili peppers from the corner.
"I pickled these myself, so the taste is absolutely authentic. You can't find this kind of authentic flavor anywhere else."
As he spoke, he scooped a large spoonful of pickled chili peppers into the pot and continued to stir-fry.
The addition of pickled chili peppers makes the snails more fragrant and mellow, and the colors in the pot become more vibrant and appealing. The red chili peppers and brown snails are a perfect match.
"Add some more water so that the snails can fully absorb the aroma, making them even more flavorful."
As Lu Fan added water, he patiently explained each step, his dedication and pursuit of delicious food evident in every detail.
As time went by, the broth in the pot gradually thickened. Lu Fan kept stirring until the broth was almost reduced, and each snail was tightly coated with the rich broth, emitting an enticing aroma.
"Alright, the snails are ready!"
He ladled the stir-fried snails into a large plate. The steaming snails emitted an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water, as if they were telling people how delicious they were.
"Mission accomplished!" Lu Fan placed the fried river crabs and snails on the table, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Come and try my cooking, see if it suits your taste."
An Lan couldn't wait to pick up a fried river crab and take a small bite.
With a "crack," the crab's shell became crispy and delicious, while the meat inside was tender and juicy.
The aroma instantly spread in her mouth, filling her entire oral cavity, and the wonderful taste made Anlan feel intoxicated.
"This is so delicious! It's the best river crab I've ever eaten!" An Lan exclaimed, her face full of happiness and satisfaction.
"The best taste? You've had it before?" Lu Fan asked, feigning surprise.
"No, not at all," An Lan replied with a smile. The two exchanged a smile, creating a warm and sweet atmosphere.
Lu Fan also picked up a snail, gently sucked it, and the snail meat slid into his mouth. The spicy and fragrant taste instantly stimulated his taste buds. The texture was smooth and the flavor was rich, making it irresistible.
"Mmm, the flavor is just right. This pickled chili is definitely the finishing touch, elevating the taste of this dish several levels."
The two ate and chatted, their laughter echoing throughout the shelter, creating a warm atmosphere in every corner.
"I was so satisfied with today's meal." An Lan patted her stomach, her face beaming with happiness and a contented smile.
"That's right. With me around, I guarantee you'll eat happily every day and grow up healthy and plump."
Lu Fan patted his chest to assure him, his eyes full of tenderness and doting.
After we finished eating, it was getting dark.
Lu Fan and An Lan sat in the courtyard, enjoying this rare moment of peace.
The starlight twinkled like tiny diamonds scattered across the black sky, and a gentle breeze caressed my face, carrying a slight coolness that made me feel incredibly comfortable.
"Although we didn't catch any prey today, we caught so many river crabs and snails, so it's a very fruitful day," An Lan said with a satisfied smile.
“Yes, that’s life, full of surprises and unexpected events. Maybe we’ll catch a big game tomorrow. Anything is possible,” Lu Fan said expectantly, his eyes sparkling with hope.
The two sat quietly, enjoying the peaceful and beautiful night, their hearts filled with anticipation and hope for the future.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com