roccoschili Chapter 5: I'll pawn my sister to you, how about I let you have some braised pork?
Chapter 5: I'll pawn my sister to you, how about I let you have some braised pork?
The commotion in the backyard of the imperial kitchen was just a passing breeze.
The group of imperial chefs were thoroughly scolded, and when they got back, they had no interest in investigating who was behind the trouble in the backyard. They were all busy figuring out how to make the mutton less gamey.
This gave Su Mu some peace and quiet.
Although yesterday's fried rice alarmed the emperor, his face covered in soot and his body smelled rancid, which served as the best disguise.
Who can connect a woodcutter who looks like a beggar with a master who makes "golden fried rice"?
Su Mu is a carefree person.
The system has given me "god-level knife skills," it would be a waste not to use them!
The next day.
As the sun began to set, the kitchen in the front hall of the imperial kitchen closed for the day, and the backyard became deserted once again.
Su Mu pulled out a piece of pork belly that he had hidden under the firewood pile yesterday.
The meat has distinct layers, with three layers of fat and two layers of lean, and the skin is still chewy; it's the best part of the pig.
In the eyes of the Tang people, this was cheap meat that only the lowest of the low ate, and its fishy smell was hard to remove.
But in Su Mu's hands, this is an unparalleled delicacy.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
The cleaver landed on the cutting board with a light, cheerful sound, almost like a melody.
His knife skills are truly divine.
The entire piece of pork belly instantly transformed into a two-centimeter square cube, perfectly sized, with even the pores on the skin seemingly aligned.
Put the pot in cold water, add ginger slices, and skim off the foam.
This step is crucial for removing the fishy smell.
The blanched meat chunks were shiny white and slightly curled.
Now comes the main event – caramelizing the sugar!
Su Mu threw a few pieces of yellow rock sugar into the pot and simmered it over low heat.
As the spatula stirred, the rock sugar melted, and fine bubbles rose to the bottom of the pot.
The bubbles changed from large to small, and the color changed from transparent to amber, then to jujube red.
Just as the syrup began to smoke slightly.
With a flick of his wrist, Su Mu poured the drained pork belly into the pot with a "whoosh".
"Sizzle—!"
The syrup coats the meat, instantly releasing a unique aroma of caramel mixed with oil.
This flavor is even more overpowering than yesterday's pork lard rice, with a sweet and cloying aggressiveness.
Stir-fry until browned.
Each piece of meat was coated with a layer of bright red sugar coating.
Add hot water until it covers the meat.
Then throw in some spices and a handful of dried chili peppers.
Cover the pot and simmer over low heat.
Su Mu clapped his hands and leaned against the woodpile.
The waiting time should not be wasted.
He pulled out a packet of tea leaves from his pocket, which were fragments of tea bricks he had taken from the imperial kitchen's tea storeroom, and also made a bowl of goat's milk.
People in the Tang Dynasty liked to add ginger, salt, and scallions to their tea, boiling it into a salty soup.
In Su Mu's view, that was a cult!
Su Mu threw the tea leaves into the earthenware pot and dry-fried them until they had a charred aroma, then poured in the sheep's milk.
The goaty smell of the goat milk was completely washed away by the aroma of tea, leaving only a rich milky fragrance.
Add sugar and strain.
A simple version of caramel milk tea is ready!
……
at the same time.
On the narrow passage leading to the imperial kitchen, two figures, one tall and one short, were pulling at each other.
"Sizi, stop fooling around."
Princess Chang Le, Li Lizhi, covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief with one hand, while also having to pull the little dumpling that was desperately rushing forward with the other.
Today she wore a light blue palace dress, with a jade hairpin in her hair, looking dignified and beautiful, but her pretty face was filled with helplessness.
What is the backyard of the imperial kitchen?
That was a place for dumping swill and piling up waste wood.
It was dirty and smelly.
Father Emperor was angry just yesterday, why is this little rascal thinking about it again today?
"It's right ahead!"
Little Sizi gripped the cracks in the floor tiles tightly with both feet, leaning back and pulling Li Lizhi's arm straight.
Today she specially changed into a short dress that would make it easy to run around, with an empty little pouch hanging from her waist, which she was preparing to put Qi in.
"My sister doesn't believe me!"
Little Sizi's cheeks puffed out with excitement, and she spoke with a lisp, "There really is a magical cook! The food he makes dances! And it's sweet and juicy!"
Li Lizhi sighed.
This child is probably suffering from hysteria due to hunger.
Yesterday, Father Emperor searched the entire Imperial Kitchen but couldn't find anyone. Where did this immortal come from?
"Okay, okay, I believe you, sister."
Li Lizhi just wanted to coax this little devil back home as soon as possible. "But this place is too dirty. Let's go back to Lizheng Palace. I'll have someone make you some crispy mountain pastries, okay?"
"No, not crispy three-layer pastry!"
Little Si shook her head firmly, her two little pigtails swinging wildly, "Su San has no flavor, I want Qi's golden, glowing rice!"
Taking advantage of Li Lizhi's momentary lapse in concentration, she took off running towards the dilapidated moon gate.
"Hey! Sizi!"
Li Lizhi was afraid that she would fall, so she could only lift her skirt and follow her.
We just passed through the moon gate.
A gust of wind blew in my face.
Li Lizhi subconsciously held her breath, preparing to be greeted by the foul smell.
however--
What entered my nasal cavity was neither the smell of swill nor the smell of rotten vegetable leaves.
Instead, it was an intense, almost overwhelming... meaty aroma?
The aroma carries the caramelized sweetness of melted sugar, the richness of oil, and an indescribable spiciness.
Unlike the subtle flavors of the dishes prepared by the Imperial Kitchen, this flavor is extremely bold, hooking straight to the top of one's head!
Li Lizhi's originally dignified steps became disordered.
She incredulously lowered the handkerchief covering her mouth and nose, her nostrils flaring slightly.
Gudong!
An extremely unpleasant swallowing sound came from his throat.
What... what does this taste like?
Just smelling it makes my mouth water uncontrollably.
The little rhinoceros in front had already smelled it.
With a cheer, she darted off on her short legs, leaving only a blur in her wake, heading straight for the dark little woodshed.
"Brother! Brother's here!"
……
Inside the woodshed.
The broth in the pot has thickened.
Su Mu lifted the lid of the pot.
Steam rose from the pot, and the bright red broth bubbled and simmered over the meat chunks.
The meat was completely mushy, with the skin and flesh trembling precariously, making you want to poke it.
Su Mu served a plateful; it was reddish-brown, glossy, and had an enticing color.
I was just about to pour myself a cup of milk tea to enjoy.
"Bang!"
The already dilapidated wooden door was smashed open.
Su Mu's hand trembled, and he almost spilled the precious milk tea.
Looking back.
The familiar little pink dumpling was standing at the door, panting heavily, her eyes fixed on the plate in his hand.
Behind the little dumpling was a girl.
The girl was tall and slender with beautiful features, but at this moment her pretty eyes were wide open, staring straight at the plate of braised pork, completely lacking the demeanor of a princess.
Su Mu: "..."
He hid the plate behind his back.
"Why are you here again?"
Su Mu's tone was unfriendly.
Is the security at this palace made of paper? How can anyone just wander into this dilapidated woodshed?
When the little rhinoceros saw Su Mu hiding meat, it panicked.
She rushed in without a care in the world, grabbed Su Mu's leg and started rubbing against him.
"Poor guy! Beautiful potty!"
Little Sizi tilted his head back, drool already overflowing from the corners of his mouth, "I brought my older sister! Look, this is my older sister, she's so pretty!"
Li Lizhi blushed.
As Princess Chang Le, when had she ever been pointed at and talked about like this?
He was about to reprimand the unruly servant.
Su Mu didn't even look at her, but instead looked down at the leg ornament with a look of disgust: "Why bring someone along? To freeload? No, I don't even have enough to eat for myself."
Li Lizhi choked.
This person... has such audacity!
Do you know who they are?
But the aroma from that plate was just too close.
She was so close that she could see the piece of meat trembling slightly in the plate as Su Mu moved, its bouncy texture making it seem almost alive.
Its bright red color practically glowed in the dim woodshed!
Li Lizhi's stomach gave a loud rumble.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet woodshed.
Li Lizhi was so embarrassed that she wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground; her ears turned bright red.
Su Mu raised an eyebrow and gave the beautiful woman a half-smile.
"Want some?"
Li Lizhi bit her lip, wanting to say she didn't want to, but her body honestly didn't want to move.
Seeing that there was a chance, Xiao Sizi immediately intensified its offensive.
She released Su Mu's leg, then grabbed Li Lizhi's hand and pushed her forcefully into Su Mu's arms.
"Brother!"
With a solemn expression, Xiao Sizi pushed his dearest sister forward.
"This time, I'm mortgaging my older sister to you! Will you let me have some meat on me, okay?"
Li Lizhi: "???"
Su Mu: "..."