Food: Taking the twins to kindergarten to be chefs

"Chef Huang, if you need any help, just tell me..."

Zhao Weiguang and Yu Daqing came forward with smiles on their faces and said respectfully.

Huang Jun was slightly stunned, then he understood.

Their attitude is undoubtedly a testament to their high recognition and acceptance of his cooking skills.

"Then please help me peel the shrimps. I will make Longjing shrimps later. Please also pay attention to the heat of the casserole..."

Huang Jun smiled and said this, then continued to concentrate on his cooking skills. He began to prepare a series of his signature seafood dishes: steamed crabs, steamed pomfret, steamed yellow croaker, steamed lobster with garlic vermicelli and other seafood dishes.

He had made these dishes before on different occasions, so now he was particularly good at making them and could cook them much faster.

When all the seafood was put into the steamer and started to cook slowly, he started to prepare other dishes...

at the same time.

The doorbell of Yang Deyi's house rang.

"It must be Lao Jia and the others. Honey, please sit still. I'll go open the door..."

Hearing the voice, Yang Deyi guessed something, and gestured to his wife who was about to get up, and then responded in the direction of the door: "Coming, coming!"

Having said that, he quickly stood up and went to greet his guest.

He slowly opened the door...

as predicted!

What came into view were two familiar faces - his close friends Lao Lu and Lao Jia.

He was all smiles, and greeted them warmly: "Hey, Lao Lu, Lao Jia, you're finally here, please come in!"

As soon as Lao Lu entered the room, he joked, "Lao Yang, why have you changed your temper this year? You want to celebrate your birthday at home? This is not like your usual style!"

Lao Jia also joked: "Yes, Lao Yang, after so many years, you suddenly said that you want to celebrate your birthday at home. It's really surprising! Do you think it's too noisy for us old bones to celebrate your birthday outside?"

Yang Deyi smiled and explained quickly, "Old Zhang, you really wronged me. Originally, I was planning to go out and find a good hotel to celebrate, but my daughter insisted on giving me an unforgettable birthday surprise, and she specially invited Chef Huang from her kindergarten to cook. You know, I am particular about food, and I don't like ordinary meals. But Chef Huang's cooking skills are really amazing, and I can't find any fault with him. So, I decided to hold this birthday party at home. First, I think we may never find a better chef than him in our place; second, I want to have a lively time and have fun together; third, I also want you all to taste this young man's cooking skills, which will definitely open your eyes!"

After hearing this, Lao Lu and Lao Jia suddenly realized that Yang Deyi chose to celebrate his birthday at home in order to show off his filial daughter!

These days, are all the ways to show off your daughters so unique?
It’s just a birthday party planned by my daughter. Who doesn’t have a child?
This time.

Their competitive spirit was aroused, and they secretly decided in their hearts: next year when they celebrate their birthdays, they will also hold it at home, and they will have to let their children find a famous chef to cook, and they will have to show off their skills in front of Lao Yang!
But wait!
Lao Lu and Lao Jia suddenly realized a detail.

That is - Yang Deyi said that the chef his daughter hired for him was the chef from her kindergarten?
Saying.

What kind of kindergarten chef has such excellent skills that could make the picky Old Yang say, "I'm afraid we won't find a better chef than him in our area"?

The two quickly searched in their minds but couldn't find a chef who met the criteria.

Could it be that Lao Yang is bragging again?
Or is it that Mr. Yang’s filter for his daughter is too strong, which makes him think that the chef in his daughter’s kindergarten is the best?

The latter is more likely!

at this time.

The faint aroma wafting from the kitchen interrupted their thoughts.

The fragrance was fresh and tempting, as if carrying an indescribable charm that made them swallow involuntarily.

This aroma seemed to silently prove the ability of the kindergarten chef.

Old Lu and Old Jia looked at each other, and a hint of anticipation flashed in their eyes.

It seems that Lao Yang’s birthday party this time is really interesting!

"Mr. Lu, Mr. Jia, you are here. It's a rare occasion. Welcome! Please take a seat and rest for a while."

When Shu Meiling saw Yang Deyi leading them in, her face immediately broke into smiles and she stood up to greet them enthusiastically.

Lao Lu and Lao Jia smiled at each other and answered almost at the same time: "Okay, thank you, sister-in-law. We won't be polite then."

At this time, Yang Yuxi also stood up gracefully, smiled and nodded to them: "Uncle Lu, Uncle Jia, long time no see, hello."

"Oh, isn't this Xiao Xi? She is getting more and more beautiful as she grows up. It's just like 'girls change a lot as they grow up, and they become more and more beautiful'!"

Old Lu and Old Jia looked at the graceful Yang Yuxi with admiration in their eyes. They praised her sincerely and added, "She looks exactly like your mother when she was young. Both are so beautiful."

Wow, he praised two people with just one sentence.

But why is there no place for Yang Deyi?
Yang Deyi listened from the side, secretly feeling proud, but somewhat unwillingly interrupted, "Hey, everyone, don't forget me. I was also very elegant and handsome back then. They say that daughters resemble their fathers. Our Xiaoxi's elegant and refined appearance must have been inherited from my genes."

Old Lu sat down on one side of the sofa and said jokingly with a smile: "You, stop bragging. If Xiaoxi really looks like you, it would be a waste of her mother's good genes."

Yang Deyi was not angry, but laughed: "That's right, Xiaoxi can be what she is today, thanks to her mother's good genes. Of course, I can't deny that I have also contributed a little bit."

Shu Meiling smiled and shook her head: "Okay, okay, stop joking, let Lao Lu and Lao Jia sit down, have some snacks and drink some coffee!"

talking.

She handed them the brewed coffee.

"Thank you!"

Lao Lu and Lao Jia reached out to take the coffee handed to them and took a sip.

However, as they have always liked drinking tea, they still find the taste of coffee difficult to get used to.

Just take a sip and put it down.

Witness this scene.

Shu Meiling elegantly picked up the box of exquisite pastries on the coffee table, opened the lid, took out two pieces of Dingsheng cakes, handed them to Lao Lu and Lao Jia respectively, and greeted them enthusiastically: "Come on, try it, this Dingsheng cake tastes very good."

Yang Deyi, who was standing by, witnessed this scene and felt a dull pain in his heart as if being pricked by needles.

After all, this box of precious Dingsheng cake is only available in one box, and even if you are rich, it is difficult to buy it...

"It looks good! I won't be polite then."

Lao Lu and Lao Jia gladly took them. The aroma of the pastries instantly hit their noses. After taking a bite, their eyes lit up with surprise at the same time.

Old Jia praised him profusely, "Sister-in-law, your cake is absolutely amazing. Which respected old cake master did you get this treasure from? It's so delicious."

"It's delicious. My sister-in-law's selection is extraordinary..."

Old Lu followed closely behind, eagerly asking: "Tell me where you bought it so I can patronize it next time."

Just as Shu Meiling was about to answer, Yang Deyi spoke up first, "This Dingsheng Cake is not something you can buy just because you want to, nor is it something you can easily own if you have money. This is a gift specially made for me by Chef Huang for my birthday."

"I see... That's such a pity..."

A trace of regret flashed across Lao Lu and Lao Jia's faces, and then they suddenly realized something and asked in surprise, "Lao Yang, the Huang Chef you are talking about is the Huang Chef who prepared the birthday party for you today? He is also the Huang Chef in our Xiaoxi Kindergarten?"

"Yes! Any questions?"

Yang Deyi nodded affirmatively.

"No problem, absolutely no problem! The chef you hired is really good at making dim sum!"

At this moment, Lao Lu and Lao Jia no longer thought that Yang Deyi was exaggerating or that his daughter’s words were too subjective. Instead, they felt that his words were very appropriate. At the same time, they felt a little regretful that they could not buy such delicious food.

Otherwise, they would buy some to bring back for their families to try.

Since you can’t buy it, just try more yourself!

Thinking of this, Lao Lu and Lao Jia naturally reached out to take a few more pieces of Dingsheng cake from the box, but unexpectedly, Yang Deyi snatched them away quickly...

"Hey, Lao Yang, what do you mean?" Lao Lu looked puzzled.

Lao Jia also said with some dissatisfaction: "That's right, what's wrong with eating one more piece of your cake? Is there any need to be so stingy? Is this how you entertain guests?"

Yang Deyi quickly waved his hands and defended himself, "No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I was just worried that you guys would eat too much cake and you wouldn't be able to eat the food later, which would be a waste of my kindness."

Old Lu: “…”

Old Jia: “…”

It's obviously you who are stingy and reluctant to give it up, but you still call it thinking about us. You are really my 'good brother'...

"Old Yang, we have an agreement that good brothers should share happiness together. Is this your way of sharing?"

Old Lu asked back with a hint of joking.

Old Jia said, "Back then, when your capital chain was broken and you were in urgent need of funds, I lent a helping hand without hesitation. Now, I just want to eat one more piece of Dingsheng Cake from you, but you are so stingy. Isn't this inappropriate?"

"Oh, okay, okay, I admit defeat. I'll give each of you another piece..." Yang Deyi shook his head helplessly, with a bitter smile on his face. Then he took out two more pieces of Dingsheng cakes from the pastry box and handed them to Lao Lu and Lao Jia.

"That's pretty much it."

Lao Lu and Lao Jia smiled at each other, happily took the Dingsheng cake, and tasted it again. They felt that the cake was even sweeter and more delicious.
While eating, their eyes unconsciously drifted to Qingqing and Weiwei who were watching TV. With kind smiles on their faces, they asked Lao Yang curiously: "Lao Yang, are these two little guys your relatives' children?"

"Look at them, they look just like a pair of twin sisters!"

Old Lu also turned his gaze to Qingqing and Weiwei, with the same kind smile on his face.

Shu Meiling smiled and nodded in response, "They are twins. One is called Qingqing and the other is called Weiwei. They are both students in my daughter's class. They are smart and clever, and very lovable."

Qingqing and Weiwei keenly noticed that the focus of everyone's discussion seemed to be on them. Out of politeness, they quickly turned their heads to greet Lao Lu and Lao Jia warmly: "Hello, Grandpas!"

"Oh, good boy, you are so sensible!"

Although Lao Lu and Lao Jia’s long-cherished wish for grandchildren has not been fulfilled, the joy in their hearts is beyond words when these two children, who are as cute as porcelain dolls, affectionately call them “Grandpa”!

Seeing that there were no other adults around the two little guys, he couldn't help but ask curiously: "Where are your dad and mom?" "We don't have...Mom!"

A hint of dimness flashed across Qingqing and Weiwei's eyes, and their little hands unconsciously clenched the corners of their clothes.

Old Lu and Old Jia understood something instantly, and couldn't help feeling a sense of apology and pity in their hearts. They regretted that their unintentional questions might have touched the children's sensitive hearts.

At this time, Weiwei bravely raised her head and smiled again: "But we have Dad! He is busy in the kitchen now, preparing delicious food for Grandpa Yang's birthday banquet. Grandpa, let me tell you, the dishes my dad cooks are delicious!"

"Oh, really?"

Old Lu and Old Jia were surprised, and then they guessed that the father of the two little guys was Chef Huang.

Seeing that the two grandfathers seemed a little doubtful, Weiwei quickly added: "Grandpas, I didn't lie to you! My father is not only a great cook, but also makes great snacks! The cakes you are eating now are made by our father!"

"The cakes your dad makes are so delicious!"

Lao Lu and Lao Jia laughed and praised, and were looking forward to tonight's dinner.

When Qingqing and Weiwei heard the praise from their grandfathers, they felt sweeter than eating honey and even happier than if they were praised themselves.

The same is true for Yang Yuxi!

Yang Deyi and Shu Meiling were also very satisfied.

I feel like I made the right choice this time!

At this time, the doorbell rang again. The couple smiled at each other, then stood up to greet the next guest.

……

in the kitchen.

Huang Jun had almost finished preparing the dishes, and seeing that the agreed time for serving had come, he said to Chef Wu beside him: "Chef Wu, you, Chef Zhao and Chef Yu, bring the prepared dishes to the table first..."

"Hey, okay, Chef Huang!"

Chef Wu, receiving the order, brought Zhao Weiguang and the other chef out of the kitchen one dish at a time.

Huang Jun started to prepare the finishing touches for the braised crab meat and lion head.

The dish of braised crab meat and lion's head is often served with rapeseed hearts. This combination is not only eye-catching, but also because the fresh texture and mild taste of rapeseed hearts coincide with the essence of Huaiyang cuisine.

Before putting the rapeseed hearts into the pot, Huang Jun will trim them carefully.

Remove the outermost old leaves of the rapeseed and trim off the excess stems so that you can taste the most tender texture of the rapeseed in every bite.

Then he boiled a pot of water and added appropriate amounts of salt and cooking oil to the water.

Doing so will not only make the color of the rapeseed heart brighter and more attractive, but also add a hint of base flavor to it, making it taste better.

After the water boils, he puts the trimmed rapeseed hearts into the pot and blanchs them.

After blanching...

He took it out, put it in cold water to cool it down, then squeezed out the water from the leaves and put them aside for later use.

Seeing that the lion's head in the casserole was ready, he opened the lid of the casserole.

In an instant…

An indescribable delicious aroma slowly rose from the pot, not only causing him to involuntarily take a deep breath, but even Yang Yuxi, who happened to arrive, sincerely praised: "Qingqing Dad, this smells so good, it's simply refreshing..."

"Teacher Yang, why did you come here in person?" Huang Jun turned around and asked with a smile.

"Everyone is about to be seated. I came here to see how you are preparing so that we can dine together." Yang Yuxi responded.

"Please go and help me take care of Qingqing and Weiwei first. I'll be there as soon as I finish the finishing work here." Huang Jun smiled slightly.

"Okay! Then hurry up, we'll be waiting for you~"

Yang Yuxi left with a look of reluctance on her face.

"it is good!"

Huang Jun responded while looking at the casserole.

The soup in the pot has been greatly reduced, and the soft cabbage leaves are covering the lion's head. Huang Jun picked out the cabbage leaves one by one with chopsticks, revealing the pink and attractive lion's head.

Most of the fat in the lion's head has melted into the soup, while the lean meat is plump and protruding, and its shape resembles a stone-carved lion's head, which may be the origin of the name of this dish.

Then, he reached into the bottom of the casserole with chopsticks and picked out the cooked pork skin at the bottom.

After two hours of slow cooking, even if it was slow cooked over low heat, most of the pig skin in the pot had melted.

After all the skin was removed, he did not rush to serve the dish, but instead moved on to the crucial last step - seasoning.

Among many dishes, the seasoning of lion head is the simplest. Just sprinkle a little salt into the pot to make it delicious.

After putting the salt into the pot, he poured the blanched rapeseed into the pot.

moment.

The rapeseed leaves that had originally become wrinkled due to loss of moisture regained vitality under the nourishment of the broth, with the leaves stretching out and becoming lush and green.

Not only do the rapeseeds look more attractive, but they also absorb all of the rich broth that has been simmered for two hours in the pot, which elevates the taste and flavor of the entire dish to a higher level.

After the rapeseed had been cooking in the pot for about three minutes, he turned off the stove, then took out a few small cups and prepared to take it out of the pot.

The process of taking the dish out of the pot is also very particular. You cannot pour the lion head and the soup directly into the soup bowl.

He first preheated the soup cup with the hot soup in the casserole to increase the temperature inside the cup.

Then, he scooped up a spoonful of hot soup and slowly poured it into the soup bowl until the soup in the bowl was about half full. Then he reached the spoon under the lion's head and lifted the lion's head together with the mellow soup and placed it steadily in the preheated soup bowl.

This series of actions is designed to maximize the integrity and shape of the lion's head.

After the lion's head was properly placed, he picked up a rapeseed and slowly placed it into the soup bowl along the edge of the lion's head, adding a touch of green to it.

Pour a spoonful of fine crab roe on top, garnish with some cooked shrimp roe, and finally cover with a lid.

At this point, a delicious stewed crab meat and lion head is completed.

He put all the lion heads into soup bowls one by one and cleverly garnished each bowl with rapeseed.

Just as he was about to pour out the remaining soup in the pot, Chef Wu happened to walk into the kitchen and hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Chef Huang, don't be in a hurry to pour out this pot of soup. It would be a pity to throw away such good soup. Please leave it for now. I will use it to make noodles tomorrow."

Huang Jun was stunned for a moment, then put down the casserole and responded with a smile: "This soup is rich in fat and is indeed suitable for cooking noodles. Okay, I'll leave it to you!"

Chef Wu readily agreed and thanked him repeatedly: "Okay, okay, Chef Huang, you've been busy for a long time, go eat first. I'll clean up here."

"Alright!"

Huang Jun agreed and immediately served the braised crab meat and lion head on the table.

After Huang Jun left, Chef Wu couldn't wait to pick up the spoon, scoop up a full spoonful of broth, blow it gently to cool it down, and then put it into his mouth.

His expression suddenly became vivid, and he exclaimed: "Oh, I knew this soup was delicious, but I didn't expect it to be this delicious! This is simply..."

He tried to search his mind for an appropriate word to describe the deliciousness of the soup, but was at a loss for words.

Got~
There is nothing difficult in the world, just give up.

It’s more important to drink the soup!
If he wasn't old and had a bad stomach, he would have wanted to buy the whole pot of soup!
When Zhao Weiguang and Yu Daqing returned, they caught a glimpse of Chef Wu enjoying the soup. They couldn't help but be attracted by the tempting aroma, so they picked up a spoon and joined the tasting.

The soup slides down my throat...

A strange light suddenly flashed in both of their eyes.

This pot of pork bone broth incorporates the essence of two hours of slow-cooking of pig skin and lion's head. The richness and deliciousness of the pork have penetrated deeply into every drop of the broth.

Huang Jun's restraint in seasoning ensures that the salt content in the soup is just right, which does not cover up the deliciousness of the soup itself.

therefore.

This part, which should have been discarded, turned into an indescribable miracle of deliciousness in their mouths.

"This soup residue...it's incredible, it's so delicious!" Zhao Weiguang said with surprise.

"It's not just delicious, it's so delicious that you can't stop eating it!"

Yu Daqing followed closely and added: "Moreover, the salt is used just right, not overpowering the flavor, but also perfectly enhancing the overall texture. The other seasonings are also matched perfectly, all of which show the profound skills of Chef Huang."

As experts who have been in the food industry for many years, they can easily tell the quality of a dish.

As for the bowl of soup residue in front of them, even if they were deliberately picky, they could not find a single flaw.

At this moment, their admiration for Huang Jun deepened.

Never mind how Huang Jun’s other dishes taste.

Just looking at the soup residue, you can see the quality of the food!
After all, it is the details that reveal the true qualities of a master.

As mouthfuls of the delicious broth slid down their throats, Zhao Weiguang and Yu Daqing's appetites were completely awakened. From the initial careful savoring, they gradually became unable to control themselves, and finally turned into almost greedy drinking.

After just a few minutes, when Chef Wu came back to his senses from his intoxication, he was surprised to find that the broth in the casserole had been drunk up by the two of them.

Even the meat scraps at the bottom of the pot were not spared and they scraped them up with spoons and ate them all.

Oh my god, not even a bite left for me...

Are you still human?

This scene made Chef Wu want to kill someone! (End of this chapter)