Chapter 88: Chef Zheng’s Skills Are Strong And Solid!

Start with the cold dishes, this is the tradition of an Outdoor Banquet.

But the cold dishes today really look excellent.

The braised pork ears are sliced extremely thin, piled high on the plate so they look plentiful, with a few slices curling up from the heap that you can see light through.

The color after being soaked through with the braising liquid is so beautiful, like bright red amber, with the cartilage in the middle dotted across it like patterns, giving it real aesthetic appeal.

At a typical Outdoor Banquet you rarely see ear slices cut this thin. The rural cook is busy making Three Steams and Nine Kows, so the cold dishes are left to the helper aunties to slice; being evenly cut is already considered good.

The cold dish master today has extraordinary knife skills.

The braised pork head meat is cut a bit thicker than the ear slices, fat streaked with lean, also fully soaked in the braising liquid, its bright red color extremely tempting and gleaming with oil. You cannot help imagining its rich, oily mouthfeel even before tasting it.

The tendons and membranes of the braised beef shank are mottled like amber and look just as tempting.

The last dish, the cold chicken salad, is particularly eye-catching.

Every piece of chicken is coated in bright fresh red oil, dotted with sesame seeds. The fragrant spicy aroma of the red oil is already wafting over, making people swallow involuntarily.

In some places this cold chicken salad is also called “mouthwatering chicken” because its appearance is so enticing that just looking at it makes your mouth water.

These leaders usually eat well at home and have attended plenty of Outdoor Banquets.

The Nine Big Bowls are nothing special in their eyes. Rural cooks’ craft is more or less the same, and after eating too much of it they even feel it is greasy.

But the cold dishes differ from house to house, and these three today already look very good.

“These braised dishes and the cold chicken salad look really great.” Deputy director Sun Yan said with a smile, “Zhou Yan’s craft, he learned it from the old lady, right?”

“Judging from the appearance, he has captured the essence.” Huang Chen also said with a smile.

When visiting during holidays, sometimes the old lady would keep them for lunch.

At anyone else’s home they might have declined, but the old lady’s braised delicacies and cold dishes were just too delicious. They would usually bring an extra bag of rock sugar on their own and, thick-skinned, insist on staying for a meal.

Not to mention Su Ji, you could not find such tasty braised delicacies and cold chicken salad even in Jia Zhou.

They only got to eat it once or twice a year, and when they thought of it, the craving really scratched at their hearts.

The old lady nodded with a smile. “Yes, he learned from me. He is an individual business owner, opened a restaurant at the textile factory entrance, and he has picked up seventy to eighty percent of my craft.”

“That is wonderful.” Everyone’s eyes lit up at these words.

“Whether it is good or not, you will know once you taste it.” The old lady said with a smile. “Don’t stand on ceremony, all the dishes are up, start eating.”

Guests follow the host’s lead. Since the old lady had spoken, everyone stopped being polite.

Sun Yan first picked up a slice of pork ear, did not dip it in chili powder, and put it straight into his mouth.

The ear slice, infused with the braising aroma, has a soft glutinous texture with a bit of bouncy cartilage, the braised fragrance blooming between his teeth, tasting better with every chew, its texture superb.

Yes!

This is exactly the flavor!

It is almost identical to what the old lady makes, no difference to be detected.

After swallowing, the lingering flavor remains on lips and teeth, that long, enduring braised aroma, memorable and inexhaustible.

Sun Yan took up his wine cup and sipped, then let out a long, satisfied sigh. “Excellent, this braised pork ear is truly a perfect dish to go with wine!”

On the other side, Huang Chen tasted a piece of braised pork head meat.

With one part skin, six parts fat, and three parts lean, the pork head meat has a rich, soft, glutinous mouthfeel when bitten into. The thickness gives it a hearty meaty texture that suits pork head meat perfectly.

The braising liquid and the oily juices intertwine, rich but not greasy, soft but not mushy, incredibly fragrant to chew.

If pork head meat is not handled well, it is heavy-smelling and greasy.

But this serving here is simply the pinnacle of braised pork head meat.

The flavor of the braise and the thickness of the slices complement each other, both indispensable.

Huang Chen also took a sip of wine and praised, “This braised pork head meat is delicious too. Zhou Yan’s level has already reached seventy to eighty percent of the old lady’s. Next time we crave this braised flavor, we can go eat at his shop.”

This truly is a good thing.

The others tried some with their chopsticks as well, and all praised it.

Sun Yan looked at Zhou Weiguo with a touch of envy. “Weiguo, you really are blessed.”

Zhou Weiguo nodded with a smile. “Zhou Yan’s culinary skills are indeed good, and he learns fast.”

He had just tasted a bite of braised pork head meat and was actually a bit surprised in his heart. It had only been a few days. How had Zhou Yan already learned it?

The flavor of this braised delicacy was still slightly different from the old lady’s, but already excellent.

“Let me try this cold chicken salad again. The last time I ate the old lady’s cold chicken salad was the year before last. After that, whenever I ate other people’s cold chicken salad, it always felt like something was missing.” Sun Yan picked up a piece of chicken with skin from the bowl.

The red oil evenly coats the chicken, seeping into the bones. The sesame seeds sway with the chicken. Before it even reaches his mouth, the numbing fragrance of Sichuan pepper oil and the roasted aroma of the red oil are already in his nose.

He bites into the chicken.

Oh!

The chicken skin is so crisp, he can even hear it as he chews.

The chicken is tender but not dry, pleasantly chewy. Sesame seeds keep popping as he chews, releasing bright savory flavor. Even the bones are fresh, spicy, and tasty to chew.

Numbing, spicy, sweet, salty, sour, fresh, and fragrant, all seven flavors in one.

The flavors are balanced and harmonious, with deep layers. It is savory and palatable, incredibly satisfying to eat.

Some cold dish masters’ cold chicken salad only focuses on plating, with flavor floating on the surface. It smells nice at first bite, but the more you chew, the duller it gets.

But here the flavor has penetrated into the chicken, and the more you chew, the better it tastes.

“Perfect, perfect. This cold chicken salad is unbelievably good. The five flavors are in harmony, nothing more to say!” Sun Yan exclaimed, completely won over.

The others, hearing this, could no longer hold back. They all picked up their chopsticks to taste the cold chicken salad.

“It really is delicious, even better than at the state-run restaurant!”

“The heat control is excellent. The chicken skin is crisp, the meat tender yet chewy, not mushy at all!”

“This red oil smells amazing. It would be perfect on mixed noodles!”

Everyone kept praising it, raising their cups frequently, and the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

“Weiguo, what is Zhou Yan’s restaurant called?” Huang Chen asked.

From Monday to Saturday he stayed in the town dormitory. Riding his bike to the textile factory for a meal was quite convenient, only ten minutes.

Hearing this, the others also turned to look at Zhou Weiguo.

Just these four cold dishes alone would be worth going to try.

If guests came to their homes, they could pack up these four dishes and add a couple of simple stir-fries. The guests would surely be satisfied.

Some guests are best invited for a family banquet at home, and there is a demand for this.

“Right at the main gate of the textile factory, Zhou Er Wa Restaurant,” Zhou Weiguo replied.

“Alright, we will go try it another day.”

…

In these years there were not yet so many complicated wedding rituals. When the bride and groom entered, they served the tea acknowledging their new titles, the wedding banquet dishes were served, and chopsticks were handed out.

Second uncle Zhou Ze went around toasting the guests seated at the courtyard tables, and did not forget to promote Zhou Yan. “These braised dishes and the cold chicken salad were done by our Zhou Yan. If you find them tasty, go eat at his place next time. His restaurant is at the textile factory entrance. The factory workers all love it, business is really good.”

The guests were already full of praise for these cold dishes, and naturally responded enthusiastically after hearing this.

Everyone knew old lady Zhang’s braised delicacies were excellent, but you only got to eat them when the Zhou family held a banquet, which was a rare treat.

Now that Zhou Yan had learned the old lady’s skills and opened a restaurant, it would be much easier to eat them in the future.

“Old man, this is exactly the same flavor, not the slightest difference. From now on every week I am getting a portion to take home with my wine, it will be wonderful.”

“Great, now each of us can finally eat a few more slices.”

Watching the old man and grandfather whispering together, Zhou Hongwei found it a bit funny and quickly picked up an ear slice to taste.

Delicious, truly delicious.

Zhou Yan really meant it.

He had actually learned old ancestor Zhang’s braising craft.

Look at that father and son pair, they were almost moved to tears.

As everyone ate, the hot dishes were served one after another.

Stuffed bowls, salted pork belly, sandwich pork, steamed pork with rice flour, pressed chicken, pearl meatballs, Dongpo pork hock, and pork tripe soup made eight big bowls.

There was also a braised carp served along with them.

Nine Big Bowls, paired with four cold dishes.

This whole big table of meat dishes had full color, aroma, and flavor, looking absolutely top-notch.

The appearance alone was far better than what most rural cooks produced.

With all the dishes on the table, the cook and helpers could finally rest.

Zhou Yan looked at Xiao Lei and the sweat-drenched Zheng Qiang and said with a smile, “The three of us are really impressive.”

Xiao Lei and Zheng Qiang also smiled at this. For their first time running an Outdoor Banquet, it was going quite well so far.

“Everyone has worked hard today. We have kept two tables set aside here. Come over and sit down to eat.” Zhou Jie came over carrying dishes, arranging seats for them and the helpers.

The head chef holds a high position at a banquet. Seats must be reserved specially, and someone from the host family should accompany them.

“Zhou Yan, is there any of the cold chicken salad and ear slices left? The leaders’ table is almost finished with theirs.” Zhou Jie stopped Zhou Yan and asked in a low voice.

“There are no ear slices left. There is still more than one plate of cold chicken salad. Take it.” Zhou Yan turned and handed him the extra plate.

“Alright, you go ahead and sit down, keep your master and Master Zheng company. You three have worked hard today.” Zhou Jie picked up the cold chicken salad and hurried off.

“Come on, time to eat!” Auntie Zhao called to Zhou Yan.

Zhou Mo Mo had already gone to sit at the children’s table. As the darling of the whole gathering, she had not stopped eating since she woke up in the morning. There was no need to worry about her not getting enough.

On the contrary, because they were worried she would eat too much, Auntie Zhao had already emptied her pockets three times.

“Alright!” Zhou Yan answered and quickly followed, sitting down beside his master.

There was still another banquet in the evening. In view of Zheng Qiang’s lightweight, one-glass-and-he-is-done drinking capacity, Zhou Yan poured him a cup of tea.

“We drink tonight, we will not stop until we are drunk!” Zheng Qiang lifted the tea with a heroic look.

Master Xiao only smiled and said nothing. That would be over far too quickly.

Criminals return to the scene of the crime to appreciate their handiwork.

Cooks hide to the side to watch the guests’ reactions.

“Today this salted pork belly is fantastic, the work of a true old master!”

“This stuffed bowl is truly fragrant. The sweet kows taste great too!”

“The pressed chicken is really fresh. This soup is beyond words!”

“Master Xiao’s craft is outstanding, worthy of a head chef from Rongcheng Restaurant!”

The steamed dishes today received unanimous praise from the guests, and compliments for Master Xiao did not stop.

With the same Nine Big Bowls and similar dish styles, different cooks still produce different results.

Master Xiao raised his wine cup for a small sip, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, fully displaying the bearing of an expert.

“Today this braised fish is wonderful too. Spicy, sour, and sweet, crispy outside and tender inside, packed with flavor.”

“The fish meat is so delicate, not a trace of fishiness. Truly worthy of being done by a head chef from Rongcheng Restaurant. Such a high level.”

“We are really living well now, getting to taste Rongcheng Restaurant flavors right here in the village.”

The braised fish made by Zheng Qiang also received unanimous recognition from the guests, and the helper aunties at the table all praised it.

The corners of Zheng Qiang’s mouth curled up wildly.

Yes, this is exactly the effect he wanted.

Master, I did not let you down.

“Master Xiao, try my braised fish and give me a few pointers.” Zheng Qiang looked at Master Xiao, outwardly calm.

“Master Zheng, you are joking. What can I point out? Everyone says it is good. The braised fish recipe from Rongcheng Restaurant must be special. Let me taste it; later I will have to learn from you.” Xiao Lei said with a smile.

Hearing this, Zheng Qiang’s grin almost reached his ears. He waved his hand. “Oh, it is nothing. If you have anything you want to ask, Master Xiao, just ask. My master said fellow cooks should be open and generous so we can learn from each other and improve together.”

With his lips pressed tight, Zhou Yan recalled every painful moment of his life to keep his mouth from betraying him. He almost failed to hold back a smile.

Master Xiao picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of belly meat from the fish, coated it in the thick sauce, then put it into his mouth. He tasted it carefully, spat out two fishbones, and nodded. “Yes, this fish is spicy, numbing, fresh, and fragrant, crispy outside and tender inside, with the sauce fully absorbed into the flesh. The fishiness is suppressed very well, and the sauce is especially well-balanced.”

“The heat control and seasoning are both pushed to the extreme. Master Zheng’s level is really both high and solid.”

After hearing this, Master Zheng was overjoyed, glancing left and right as if he might float away, his smile brilliant.

“I think your braised fish is on par with my senior brother Xu Yunliang’s. When you step up, he might have to give way a little.” Master Xiao continued.

“I…” Master Zheng was about to respond modestly when his eyes suddenly widened. He snapped his head around to stare at Master Xiao. “You… who did you just say?”

Another big chapter.

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