mtl008 Chapter 359 Spicy Hot Pot
Chapter 359 Spicy Hot Pot
Xu Yiyi rolled up her sleeves and gestured with her chin towards Yunniang, who was cleaning the cutting board in the kitchen, and Wang Pangzi, who was rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"Watch closely."
The iron wok on the stove was smoking hot when she scooped in a generous amount of oil. As soon as the oil started to steam, she added the pre-cut pork slices.
Holding the spatula, I flipped the meat slices quickly, making them sizzle in the oil. When the edges were browned and fragrant, I took them out and drained the oil.
Next came the lobster slices and fish slices. She deliberately fried them a little longer to lock in the sweetness of the seafood with a caramelized aroma.
By the time it was served on a plate, Fatty Wang couldn't help but swallow hard.
"This step is the most crucial."
As she spoke, she started another pot, poured in a thin layer of her secret chili oil, and as soon as the bright red oil surface began to ripple, she threw in slices of garlic, ginger, and a handful of Sichuan peppercorns. Instantly, the aroma made people sneeze.
"It smells amazing!" Old Lu sat down below, tending a fire, and stared up at the aroma.
Without stopping, she poured in the tofu cubes that had been fried until golden brown on both sides, then threw in the chopped crab pieces, and stir-fried until the crab shells turned red.
The aroma is even more intense.
Next came the sliced conch and abalone meat; the fresh aroma of seafood mixed with the fragrance of chili oil filled the kitchen.
"Add the vegetables last so they're crisp; otherwise they'll be soggy and not tasty."
As she spoke, she poured in the fish balls, shrimp balls, and fish intestines that had been rinsed in hot water, and pressed them with a spatula to make them roll around so that each ball was coated with chili oil.
Finally, add the bamboo shoots, lotus root slices, kelp, and seaweed—vegetarian dishes—and stir-fry them quickly over high heat.
What kind of sauce is this?
Fatty Wang stood behind her watching as she scooped a spoonful of something from the earthenware jar.
He twitched his nose and widened his tiny, beady eyes.
"I tasted it when I was tasting the dish, but I just couldn't figure it out!"
The sauce is amber in color and has a thick consistency. When it slowly slides down the tip of a spoon, it leaves long, thin golden threads.
"This is called oyster sauce, it's homemade."
With a flick of her wrist, she poured the sauce into the pot, "which takes a lot of time."
The meat of fresh oysters is extracted, steamed and sun-dried three times, and then simmered over low heat. During the process, dried scallops and shrimp head oil are added to enhance the flavor.
Because the restaurant uses a lot of food, she has to cook it every two or three days.
The restaurant was too busy, so the job was handed over to Sister Honglian.
It just so happens that she's at home waiting to get married and isn't allowed to go out, so helping her with chores to pass the time, and she gets paid for it.
Xu Yiyi didn't explain in detail to him. She just poured all the previously fried meat slices and seafood back into the pot, sprinkled on some chili powder and white sesame seeds, and stir-fried them evenly.
When it was done cooking, she used a large basin, which was full of bright red and oily food.
The springiness of lobster meat, the tenderness of abalone, the freshness of crab, and the aroma of pork blend together. Fish balls and shrimp balls roll around in the oil, glistening with shine. The refreshing vegetables balance the greasiness, and chili oil shimmers at the bottom of the bowl.
"It's done. Take it out and let everyone have a taste."
Old Lu hurriedly put out the fire and carried the large basin into the yard.
She put down the spatula, smiled at the two of them, and said, "Want to go out and try it? Follow this heat and order, and you can't go wrong."
The seasonings were readily available, and the two of them were professional cooks.
It's not difficult.
Fatty Wang didn't say anything.
He had already picked up a piece of lobster meat with his chopsticks, and was breathing heavily from the heat, but he mumbled, "It smells so good! It smells amazing!"
Yunniang was quite refined, chewing slowly and deliberately, though she hadn't spoken yet.
But Xu Yiyi could already tell from her eyes that the new dish was very popular.
The rich, spicy aroma seemed to have grown legs, drifting outwards with the sea breeze.
Wu Yuan has the most sensitive nose. He smelled something, and his mouth watered. He grabbed Si Hai's collar with his little hands, wanting to go back.
"Brother Anyang, you can smell it too?"
Sihai sat in the clinic and suddenly sat up straight.
Xu Anyang nodded, and Er'er swallowed hard.
"The food smells so good this time, I'm getting hungry."
Er'er was processing medicinal herbs in the clinic, her hands never stopping, but her mind had already drifted away with the aroma.
"Let's go, let's go... hurry back, otherwise Grandpa Lu will eat all the good food."
Sihai couldn't stay any longer after thinking about it, so he picked up Wuyuan and ran towards the restaurant.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Before Xu Anyang could react, he saw Wu Yuan being carried away on Si Hai's head.
Don't let the size of this child fool you; he's strong and runs fast.
When Xu Anyang arrived at the restaurant, Sihai had already picked up his chopsticks.
"Let me!" the child exclaimed, hurriedly squeezing into the crowd.
Xu Anyang sniffed and looked this way: "What's that smell? It's making my throat burn!"
Ah Yue ran over excitedly, her eyes fixed on the bright red ingredients in the bowl.
"Stop busy, come and try our newly made spicy hot pot."
As soon as Xu Yiyi called out, seven or eight people surrounded her.
Aunt Zhao first picked up a piece of tofu. The outer skin was crispy, and when she bit into it, the spicy juice burst in her mouth. She smacked her lips and said, "This tofu is fried perfectly. Coated in this chili oil, it's even more fragrant than meat!"
Old Lu was quick; he grabbed a piece of lobster meat, panting as it burned, but he couldn't bear to let go: "The kitchen was so hot just now! This seafood is so tender, with a slightly charred aroma. Paired with this spice, the more you eat, the more you want!"
Aunt Fu picked up a slice of lotus root, which was crisp and refreshing, and neutralized the spiciness.
She smiled and said, "This dish is delicious too. It absorbs the broth and isn't bland at all."
As the group chattered amongst themselves, Xu Yiyi smiled and picked up Wu Yuan, who was sitting on the ground, looking angry.
“Our fifth child is still young. When he grows up, his older sister will make him even more delicious food.”
Gouyuan is really craving it!
It's really frustrating not to be able to eat good food.
But it was easy to coax. The little girl's bottom bounced up and down as she was held in her older sister's arms, staring longingly at the pot of spicy hot pot.
The child burst into laughter as soon as he finished speaking.