I Am A Gourmet: Just Eight And You Want Me To Start A Roadside Stall?

Panda Novel

“Firstly, prepare the pork belly and cut it into small pieces based on what you’re used to. I’ve cut a five-centimeter piece of braised pork here so that it’ll be more satisfying to eat.”

As Xu Le cut the pork into pieces and explained, he poured the fresh pork into the cold water and blanched it.

“When the water is boiling, remember to remove the surface foam. These things are the source of the stench.”

“Next, put some base oil in the pot and fry the fat. I had fried the quail eggs just now. Everyone can use chestnuts, soybeans, or potatoes.”

The white meat sizzled on the frying pan, and the grease was gradually forced out. The surface of the meat was slightly golden.

“After frying it a little, scoop out the meat and place it aside. There are aniseeds, fragrant leaves, scallions, ginger slices, salt, light and dark soya sauce prepared here. Of course, there’s also the most important brown sugar.”

Xu Le poured the brown sugar into the pot and started to stir-fry it over a small fire. He said, “You can replace it with ice sugar. Brown sugar is easier to color the food, and the taste will be more fresh and sweet. Everyone, be careful not to overcook it, just stir-fry until it’s brown.”

“Now pour it the meat, stir-fry it until it changes color. When the surface is coated with the brown sugar sauce, add some onions and ginger slices.”

The layer of red braised pork in the pot immediately became alluring. As Lu Yuxi adjusted the camera angle, she secretly swallowed her saliva.

“Add a spoonful of seasoned wine, light soya sauce to make it more salty, dark soya sauce to deepen the color and finally some salt. Now, we have reached a crucial step.”

“Pour the wine inside to maximize the freshness and sweetness of the meat. You can use the huadiao wine or even beer is fine too. I’m using…”

The words “Maotai” appeared on the screen. Lu Yuxi quickly said, “No, no, this thing is too expensive. Put it down first!”

Xu Le paused.

Lu Yuxi was shocked. “You bought a bottle of Maotai just to cook braised pork?”

“It’s my dad’s. It’s a collection of wine from his cabinet.”

Lu Yuxi immediately changed her attitude and said, “Then go ahead. I want to taste the Maotai too.”

Xu Le explained, “The alcohol content is too high. I mixed it with beer.”

After pouring the wine into the pot and adding aniseed, he covered the pot lid to start stewing.

“I’ll stew it for 45 minutes. Everyone, depending on the heat at your home, you may have to stew for longer or shorter time. Remember to make sure it’s cooked. Only then will the bitterness in the wine be released. Watch it from time to time. Be careful not to stew it for too long, or it’ll be overcooked.”

After a while, Lu Yuxi was so hungry that she kept shaking her legs. Even Xu Tian, who was sleeping on the bed, walked to the kitchen and asked, “Brother, what are you making?”

“Cooking braised pork. Do you want some later?”

“I want to eat!”

Xu Tian said happily. Xu Le looked at her and could not help but mutter, “I fed you a lot too. Why are you still so skinny? You’re not round at all. I don’t feel accomplished at all.”

Xu Tian said smugly, “Maybe I just don’t get fat!”

“It’s because you’re picky about food. If you only eat two bites of every dish, you definitely won’t get fat.” Lu Yuxi said worriedly, “I’m different. I’m already four to five kilograms heavier. Sigh, my metabolism is really too slow after getting older.”

Xu Le laughed out loud. The small kitchen was filled with laughter. The sound of meat stewing could be heard and the fragrance gradually seeped out from the crack in the lid.

Xu Le found some ingredients from the fridge and said, “I’ll make a cold appetizing dish for you. Two minutes will do. Turn the camera around.”

“Got it.” Lu Yuxi got up lazily and adjusted her phone.

“This dish is called Chilled Fungus. It requires some soaking in advance. Coincidentally, I have some in my fridge, so I made it for everyone in advance. Everyone, remember not to soak your fungus for more than 12 hours. Otherwise, it will produce toxins.”

“After blanching the white and black fungus, tear them up and put them in a glass bowl. Add salt, fragrant vinegar, a small amount of chicken powder and pepper powder, and finally pour a circle of fragrant oil over them. The cooking method is very simple. It helps to degrease when eaten with meat.”

“If you like it, you can add sliced cucumber and coriander to it.”

45 minutes later, the lid was lifted and the quail eggs that were fried in advance were added.

“Now transfer it over a huge fire and cook it for about five minutes to evaporate the gravy. Then it will be ready to be served.”

The thick red sauce wrapped around the meat and was poured into the plate.

Lu Yuxi quickly scooped three bowls of rice and sat at the table, waiting obediently. She picked up a piece of fat and smooth meat and covered it over the white rice. Then, she used her chopsticks to gently break it from the middle, and the juice overflowed.

Due to the fact that the braised pork had been fried in advance and the oil had been forced out, it was not greasy at all. On the contrary, the fried quail eggs were full of the flavor of the braised sauce. After one mouthful of meat, one mouthful of egg, one mouthful of rice, it was indescribably satisfying.

Xu Le took a bite and immediately raised his eyebrows. He looked as if he was impressed by his own cooking skills. “Everyone, you must try this home-cooked dish. After you learn it, you can show off your skills at the reunion dinner. It’s simple and delicious.”

“Remember to watch the pot carefully if you boil it with huadiao wine. Be careful to not set a fire.”

The Braised Pork was moderately salty and sweet. The pork belly was evenly fat and lean. The fatty parts were not greasy and the lean parts were not meatless. He put a big piece into his mouth and chewed it carefully. He could even eat three bowls of rice with this.

Lu Yuxi did exactly this. She did not even look up as she mixed the rice with the red braised pork. After she finished eating, she held her forehead and said, “I think it’s because this bowl is too small. It’s only the size of a palm. It’s not because I ate too much.”

Xu Le wanted to nod, but he couldn’t help but smile.

Lu Yuxi widened her eyes. “Boss, is there anything you’re unhappy about?”

“No, no, no. You’re the thinest and you eat the least.” Xu Le ate to the bottom of the bowl and said, “Actually, it’s not a big deal to eat a lot. It only proves that my food is delicious, right?”

“Tch.” Lu Yuxi pouted. “I am going to edit the video tonight. I need to eat more to gain energy, do you understand?”

“Alright, thank you!”

Lu Yuxi’s stomach was already full, but when she looked at the pair of chilled fungus, she couldn’t help but pick up her chopsticks and eat a few mouthfuls. The fungus was very crispy and fresh. As there wasn’t much seasoning, it could release the original taste of the ingredients to the greatest extent and it really helped with degreasing.

The three of them finished the plate of red braised pork completely. After eating, they placed the cutlery into the dishwasher and Xu Le brought his sister to sleep.

When they woke up, Lu Yuxi had already sent him the edited video. There was a long string of voice message after that.

Lu Yuxi’s sleepy voice came through when he played the voice message.

“I cut a scene of Tiantian eating in. It’s really too cute. If you don’t want your sister to show her face, I can delete that.”

“Also, I’ve edited very little of the video this time. I’ve kept a lot of conversations we had outside of the filming. If you’re not satisfied, I can edit it.”

Xu Le opened the video and watched it. Every step in the video was very clear. The ingredients were filmed brightly and seemed appetizing.. The final tasting stage was also extremely infectious.