From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

In order to welcome Feng Zhengming and his party, the Xia family had indeed made very thorough preparations.

Dried shark fins, sea cucumbers, and abalone were soaked in advance, and a lot of wild mushrooms from the mountains were also prepared in advance.

Even pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese and pigeons were purchased from surrounding villages.

It can be said that the Xia family seemed to be preparing in advance for the assessment of competing for the signature dish of Confucius Mansion cuisine.

Even the tofu used was specially made by the Xia family.

Grandpa Feng and Grandpa Situ felt a little embarrassed to be treated like this by the Xia family.

Grandpa Feng sighed to Master Xia: "It's a bit too extravagant. Why would you use such a high standard to entertain us?"

Grandpa Situ also agreed: "Yes, it is still the New Year period, and we had a very sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner. The day before at the foot of Mount Tai, we were also very well received.

Now you guys are preparing such a sumptuous meal, how can two of us old people eat so much?"

Master Xia laughed: "Hahaha, isn't there Zhengming? There are also several children who need to eat more, as they are all growing up.

Especially since I heard that the oldest child is going to take the college entrance exam soon? He should eat more good food to nourish his brain. "

As the three old men were talking, Feng Zhengming led everyone back.

Zhang Hongwei just walked in and heard what Master Xia said.

He immediately perked up: "Grandpa Xia, you are so right. I feel that I need to make up for it more. Studying is very hard now. I will make up for my brain during the New Year so that I can sprint with all my strength after the New Year."

After hearing this, Feng Zhengming smiled and patted his cousin on the back gently.

"Do you still need to make up for it? I think your brain is already very flexible."

Zhang Hongwei turned his head to look at Feng Zhengming and said seriously: "Brother, it is because my brain is too flexible that I need to replenish it. Overusing the brain is very exhausting."

Master Xia greeted with a smile: "Then sit down, and have a good meal with us today."

After listening to Zhang Hongwei say so much, Feng Zhengming always felt that this guy must be deliberately holding back something.

After everyone sat down, Feng Zhengming asked his cousin directly.

"Okay, we're already seated. You've laid out so much groundwork. Tell me what you want to eat."

Zhang Hongwei looked at Feng Zhengming with some surprise.

He didn't seem to expect that his little thoughts were seen through by his cousin.

But he was still hesitant, should he just say it directly?
Seeing him hesitate, Feng Zhengming immediately reminded him: "If you don't speak quickly, you won't have a chance when the food is served."

Hearing this, Zhang Hongwei immediately couldn't wait to express his thoughts.

"Grandpa Xia, I heard from my brother that the Kongfu cuisine used to be made with bear paws and the like. I saw bear paws, elephant trunks, and monkey brains in the movies. Do you have those dishes in your Kongfu cuisine?"

When Zhang Hongwei said this, it wasn't just him who was looking forward to it.

Even the two children, Feng Shengnan and Feng Yucheng, looked expectant.

Before Master Xia could speak, Feng Zhengming spoke first: "Bear paws, elephant trunks, and monkey brains are not allowed to be eaten."

Zhang Hongwei had obviously studied it before, so he immediately said, "Brother, it's really inedible, but isn't there an imitation in the Confucius Mansion cuisine?"

Hearing this, Feng Zhengming could only apologize to Master Xia first.

"Uncle Xia, I'm so sorry. I definitely didn't teach him these."

Master Xia smiled happily instead.

"It doesn't matter. It's New Year's Day. The kids can say whatever they want."

Then Master Xia looked at Zhang Hongwei and said, "Son, we do have a dish that imitates bear paws in our Confucius Mansion cuisine, but we have never imitated elephant trunks and monkey brains."

Feng Zhengming didn't wait for Zhang Hongwei to speak, and said, "If you want to eat the elephant's trunk, you can go back and ask Grandpa Xia to make you a pig's trunk."

This remark immediately amused everyone present.

Feng Shengnan looked at Zhang Hongwei and laughed: "I'll let you eat a pig's nose so that you can grow a pig's nose too."

When Feng Yucheng heard his sister's words, he also laughed at his cousin: "Pig nose, pig nose."

Zhang Hongwei was not angry. He suddenly moved closer to Feng Shengnan and gently pressed the tip of Feng Shengnan's nose with his hand.

"Hehehe, pig nose, that's you."

Feng Shengnan was ambushed by Zhang Hongwei, so she was naturally unhappy immediately.

"Hey, why are you like this? You are a brother and a boy, how can you bully a girl?"

When Zhang Hongwei was about to escape, Luo Qing grabbed him and pulled him back to Feng Shengnan.

"Don't move. Let Shengnan press your nose too."

Zhang Hongwei didn't expect that he would be caught by Luo Qing, so he quickly asked Feng Zhengming for help.

"Brother, you have to help me."

Feng Zhengming responded directly: "Who told you to bully your sister? If your aunt finds out about this, you will be beaten when you go back."

Feng Shengnan smiled and said, "Yes, if you let me press it, I won't tell my aunt."

With no other options, Zhang Hongwei had to be pushed back by Feng Shengnan.

Feng Shengnan held Zhang Hongwei's nose and a very happy smile appeared on her face.

Zhang Hongwei had his nose pressed by his sister, and he also learned to squeal like a pig as requested by his sister.

Sitting down again, Zhang Hongwei immediately asked with a smile: "Grandpa Xia, my brother said that it can be made with pig noses, can you make it? And monkey brains, I saw in a movie that monkey brains can be made with tofu."

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but remind him: "That's a movie. The methods used in the movie are exaggerated."

Zhang Hongwei asked, "But brother, didn't you make the yellow croaker soup?"

Master Xia replied helplessly: "As for using pig noses to make elephant trunks or using tofu to make monkey brains, we have never done it before, so I am afraid I will disappoint you."

Grandpa Feng immediately said, "It's okay, Master Xia, you don't have to pay attention to him. Children are just curious."

Grandpa Situ also nodded: "Yes, if there are some dishes that cannot be cooked, just don't cook them, it doesn't matter."

Zhang Hongwei also quickly stood up and apologized.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa Xia. I'm just asking out of curiosity. I'm not really asking you to do it. Don't be angry. You don't have to do it."

Master Xia smiled and asked Zhang Hongwei to sit down.

"It's okay. I know you're not trying to make things difficult for us. In fact, I've been thinking about the dishes you mentioned. How should I imitate them?"

Having said that, Master Xia looked at Feng Zhengming.

It is obvious that Master Xia hopes Feng Zhengming can give some ideas.

Facing this situation, Feng Zhengming smiled and said: "In the movie, monkey brains are made of sheep brains and tofu. When making tofu, the tofu is first carved into the shape of monkey brains.

Then season the tofu to remove the bean smell and allow the tofu to absorb other flavors.

There is still some feasibility in this regard, and the key lies in the seasoning.”

After listening to Feng Zhengming's analysis, Master Xia fell into deep thought and felt that it seemed worth a try.

Seeing Feng Zhengming's clear and logical analysis, Zhang Hongwei looked at his cousin with anticipation.

"Brother, can you try to do it?"

Feng Zhengming asked curiously, "Do you really want to eat it?"

Zhang Hongwei thought for a moment and said, "I don't really want to eat it, I'm just curious."

Feng Zhengming smiled and responded: "If you are so curious, I can make another dish for you to try."

Zhang Hongwei immediately became excited when he heard this: "Really? What dish is it?"

Feng Zhengming did not answer directly, but stood up and walked out of the private room.

When Feng Shengnan saw her brother leave, she immediately said to Zhang Hongwei, "Look at you, you only know how to make things difficult for your brother. Do you remember what you promised your aunt and uncle when you left?"

When Zhang Hongwei was asked this question, he immediately remembered what he promised his parents before leaving. "I promise that when I leave, I will not cause any trouble to my brother and his family, and I will help my brother take care of grandpa and take good care of my sister and brother."

Thinking of this, Zhang Hongwei immediately realized that he had indeed failed to fulfill his promise along the way.

He helped take care of the two grandfathers along the way.

But he failed to take care of his younger sister and brother.

Not to mention not causing trouble for my brother.

It seems that Zhang Hongwei has really been causing trouble for Feng Zhengming.

Zhang Hongwei stood up and wanted to go find Feng Zhengming.

Finally, he was stopped by his grandfather.

"Hahaha, okay, sit down. Don't blame yourself. Your brother must have thought of something and wants to try his hand in the kitchen. Don't disturb him. Maybe he succeeds and will reward you when he comes back."

When Zhang Hongwei heard his grandfather say this, he was a little surprised: "Really? I inspired my brother?"

Grandpa Situ and Master Xia who were present also smiled and nodded.

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Luo Qing also asked Zhang Hongwei to sit down: "Sit down, the food will be served soon, eat well, don't you want to replenish your brain? Eat more and make Grandpa Xia happy."

Master Xia agreed: "That's right, eat more. If you eat more vegetables, grandpa will be happy."

Feng Zhengming stepped into the kitchen and saw the people from the Xia family busy preparing dishes one by one.

The Xia family was also a little surprised to see Feng Zhengming come in.

Xia Zhennan turned his head and looked at Feng Zhengming and said with a smile: "Zhengming, you don't have to come in. There are still a few dishes, and they will be ready soon."

Feng Zhengming responded: "Brother Xia, I just thought of a dish and wanted to make it in your kitchen."

When the Xia family heard that Feng Zhengming was going to cook, they were all stunned.

Then, Feng Zhengming did not disturb the Xia family. He just walked around the kitchen by himself.

Finally he found two pieces of chicken breast, washed them carefully and took them.

Then I specifically looked for a piece of pig skin.

Scrape off all the fat on the inner wall of the pig skin.

After selecting the items, Feng Zhengming went to the back kitchen where he would not disturb others, found a chopping block and two kitchen knives.

Spread the pig skin on the chopping board after scraping off the grease on the inner wall.

Use a knife to cut the chicken breast into small cubes and place them on the pig skin. Next, Feng Zhengming begins to slowly chop the chicken breast with the back of the knife.

If someone was watching from the side, they would find that Feng Zhengming's cuts were extremely steady, accurate and ruthless.

Chop the chicken breast into small pieces with each cut, but stop just before it gets close to the pork skin.

First, use the blade side of the knife to chop the chicken breast until it is almost chopped.

Then, in order to make the chicken puree fine enough, Feng Zhengming changed to using the back of a knife to smash it.

This way, the chicken puree on the pig skin becomes more delicate.

The final chicken puree can be said to be very fine.

Feng Zhengming scraped the chicken paste off the pig skin, rolled it out into a thin layer with a knife, and picked out some of the neck membranes that had not been smashed from the chicken paste with a toothpick.

After picking out all the fascia, the chicken puree obtained can be said to be real puree.

Then Feng Zhengming found some green onions, peppers, and cooking wine and mixed them with water.

Add a little bit of salt to the chicken puree as a base, and start slowly adding onions, peppers and cooking wine to the chicken puree.

Feng Zhengming added a spoonful of scallion, pepper and cooking wine and quickly stirred it with his hands to allow the scallion, pepper and cooking wine to blend into the chicken puree.

After eating about one fifth of the chicken puree, green onion, pepper and cooking wine.

Feng Zhengming then added egg white, and finally a little bit of water starch.

Only when it is completely blended, you will get a bowl of chicken puree.

At this time, when Feng Zhengming raised his head, he found that the Xia family members in the kitchen and the apprentices in the kitchen of Xia Family Restaurant were looking at him in surprise.

"Hahaha, sorry to bother you. I just suddenly thought of making a chicken tofu pudding. Although it is a Sichuan dish, I think it should be okay to make a little change and add it to the menu of Confucius Mansion cuisine."

As he spoke, Feng Zhengming looked at Xia Hui: "Xia Hui, can you make me a stove? A coal stove is better, and I also need a pot."

Xia Hui responded, "Hello, Master."

After agreeing, Xia Hui skillfully prepared everything for Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming first boiled the water in a small casserole on the coal stove.

Then he adjusted the seal of the coal stove and sealed the air inlet.

In this way, the flame of the coal stove will go out immediately.

The water in the casserole is in a state of boiling but not boiling.

Feng Zhengming stirred the water and poured all the chicken paste in the basin into it.

The next step is to wait quietly.

As time goes by, the chicken puree poured into the water gradually solidifies.

Eventually, the pieces floated to the surface.

At this time, the chicken tofu pudding is ready, and it is as white and tender as tofu pudding.

Feng Zhengming was not in a hurry to serve it out, but asked Xia Hui to help prepare sea cucumbers and some baby cabbages.

Feng Zhengming only needs to trim the middle part of the baby cabbage.

Also remove the vegetable heart in the middle, use a small spoon to scoop out the chicken tofu and put it into the baby cabbage.

Use green onions to tie up the opening of the baby cabbage.

After finishing them one by one.

Xia Hui has also prepared the small sea cucumbers.

Feng Zhengming looked at the Xia family and said, "Brother Xia, can you prepare some small soup bowls? I still need the clear soup you prepared."

Xia Zhennan immediately responded: "Oh, okay, I'll prepare it for you."

As soon as Xia Zhennan responded, Xia Mingye had already helped Feng Zhengming prepare everything.

Feng Zhengming asked Xia Mingye to place all the small soup bowls on a large tray.

"Put them next to each other. Yes, add some soup first. Half of it will do."

Feng Zhengming carefully used a colander to scoop out the chicken tofu pudding from the pot and placed a piece in each small cup.

Then let Xia Hui put the baby cabbage wrapped in chicken tofu and sea cucumber in it.

Also garnish the chicken tofu pudding with a bright red wolfberry.

Arrange it and add a little more soup.

After covering all the small cups, Feng Zhengming asked Xia Mingye to take them over and steam them all.

While Feng Zhengming was preparing this dish, the Xia family had basically prepared all the other dishes.

Feng Zhengming smiled and asked the Xia family to send up the other dishes first.

"Brother Xia, you guys serve the dishes first, and then everyone sit down and wait for me. Leave this to Xiaohui, Xiaoye and the others."

Xia Mingye nodded immediately: "Yes, Dad, you go and accompany Grandpa and the others, my sister and I will do it here with my uncle."

The Xia family members were a little hesitant and looked at Xia Zhennan together, letting him make the decision.

After a brief hesitation, Xia Zhennan led the Xia family to serve the dishes, saying that they would wait for Feng Zhengming at the dining table. (End of this chapter)