Food: Taking the twins to kindergarten to be chefs

"Sugar osmanthus is a sweet sauce made by slowly simmering dried osmanthus flowers with sugar or honey. It is often found in many traditional snacks we eat, such as glutinous rice balls, moon cakes, and small pastries."

"Sugar osmanthus not only exudes an alluring aroma, but also has an attractive golden color, which is particularly beautiful. You can also see whole dried osmanthus flowers inside, which makes it particularly delicious."

"But, although sugar osmanthus is good, we usually use it for decoration."

"For example, when making glutinous rice balls, after they are cooked, scoop them out into a bowl and sprinkle a little bit of sweet osmanthus on them. This will make the glutinous rice balls look more tempting and delicious."

"When the sugar osmanthus meets heat, the fragrance of osmanthus wafts into the bowl, making the glutinous rice balls smell more fragrant and taste more delicious."

"Besides, the addition of sweet osmanthus adds a hint of sweetness to the soup of the glutinous rice balls, making it more refreshing and increasing one's appetite."

While Huang Jun was busy making glutinous rice balls, he was telling Ye Guilan about the benefits of candied osmanthus.

When Ye Guilan heard this, her cloudy eyes immediately lit up, and she suddenly understood. She nodded and said, "Oh, that's how it is. I knew that sugared osmanthus was delicious, so I always put it directly in the stuffing. I never thought that there are so many tricks to adding sugared osmanthus... No wonder the food you cook is so delicious, it turns out that these are the tricks!"

Aunt Li also chimed in, "That's right. Chef Huang's cooking is delicious because he pays attention to these details."

Huang Jun smiled and waved his hands, saying modestly: "No, no, in fact, these are the experiences passed down by the older generation. I just paid more attention. When it comes to cooking, you have to be attentive. Even a little bit of something, added just right, can make a big difference in the taste."

He went on to say: "Take the candied osmanthus for example. It not only makes the glutinous rice balls more delicious, but it can also be paired with many other things. For example, it can be spread on bread, mixed in yogurt, or even made into sugar water to drink. It all has a unique flavor. The key is to see how you use it and how to pair it to maximize its effect."

Ye Guilan listened with great interest and nodded repeatedly: "After hearing what you said, I want to try it. I really underestimated this candied osmanthus before. It turns out that it can have so many variations."

Conversation room.

All the dumplings are wrapped.

Huang Jun started a fire to boil water and prepare the dumplings.

Cooking glutinous rice balls is not as simple as throwing them into the boiling water and letting the water boil. There are many details involved.

The key to making delicious glutinous rice balls is not to cook them, but to “raise” them. Although there is only one word difference, it implies a big difference.

To "nourish" the glutinous rice balls means to slowly blanch them in water that is about to boil but not completely boiled until they are cooked through.

This approach has many benefits:
First, it ensures that the glutinous rice balls retain their perfect shape.

The outer skin of glutinous rice balls is made of glutinous rice. If it is cooked quickly over high heat, the violently boiling hot water will easily cause the outer skin to deform or even fall off, greatly affecting its appearance.

Secondly, this will allow the glutinous rice ball filling to be thoroughly cooked.

Especially for glutinous rice balls with lard, if the cooking time is insufficient, the lard inside will be difficult to fully cook or even melt, while the "raising" method can ensure that the filling is fully cooked.

Finally, this method is also safer.

It is inevitable that some air will be wrapped around the glutinous rice balls during the wrapping process. If the heat is too high, the expansion of the gas may cause the glutinous rice balls to burst, and the high-temperature filling will splash out, easily causing burns.

Therefore, slowly cooking the glutinous rice balls with hot water is both delicious and safe.

When the water in the pot began to boil, Huang Jun put the glutinous rice balls he had prepared in advance into the pot one by one. When the water was about to roll again, he turned down the heat in time and used a spatula to gently push the glutinous rice balls along the bottom of the pot to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Next, it’s time to wait patiently.

As the white and round dumplings in the pot slowly floated up, he knew it was almost time.

He turned off the fire and let the dumplings continue to float in the hot water for a while.

This step is crucial, as it allows the filling of the glutinous rice balls to be more fully cooked and achieve the best taste.

"Chef Huang, look, the dumplings are floating up. Are they cooked? Why haven't you fished them out yet?" Ye Guilan asked with some confusion.

"Wait a little longer, the heat is not yet at the best temperature..." Huang Jun responded with a smile, staring intently at the dumplings in the pot.

Aunt Li smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Chef Huang's cooking is very particular about the right temperature. Let's not just sit here and worry about it. Just wait for the meal to start!"

After saying that, she patted Ye Guilan on the shoulder, signaling her to wait with peace of mind.

Ye Guilan also laughed after hearing what Aunt Li said and said, "Yes, yes, we don't trust Chef Huang's cooking skills! Then I'll wait to eat these most authentic glutinous rice balls."

Huang Jun also smiled and explained: "Actually, although the dumplings look cooked, they still need to be 'raised' for a little longer so that the flavors of the fillings can be more fully integrated and taste more fragrant and layered. Just like when we do things in our daily lives, we also need to be a little patient to do things more perfectly, right!"

As the tail end of his words echoed in the operation room, an even more charming aroma began to spread, it was the happy scent of the perfect blend of glutinous rice and fillings.

Huang Jun carefully observed the dumplings in the pot and felt that the heat was just right.

He picked up a spoon, scooped out the dumplings along with some of the soup, and gently placed them in a bowl that had been prepared.

While he was working, he reminded everyone: "When serving the glutinous rice balls, be sure to add some water so that the glutinous rice balls can maintain a round and plump appearance. Do not use kitchen utensils such as a colander, otherwise the glutinous rice balls will easily become soft or even crack without the protection of water."

After the glutinous rice balls fell safely into the bowl, he turned around and picked up the can of sugared osmanthus, scooped some with a small spoon, and sprinkled it evenly on each white jade-like glutinous rice ball.

The golden osmanthus flowers dotted in between are like stars, which are particularly attractive.

It has to be mentioned that the sugar osmanthus purchased by Liu Suyu is indeed of high quality.

As soon as it is added, a fresh and elegant osmanthus fragrance rises slowly from the bowl. The fragrance is neither ostentatious nor dissipates, but lingers in the air just right, lasting and natural.

This is undoubtedly the embodiment of the pure fragrance of osmanthus, which cannot be compared with any artificial additives.

Ye Guilan looked at the glutinous rice balls in the bowl and said with a smile, "Oh, these glutinous rice balls look festive, round and plump, like little fat boys, so cute! Chef Huang, your cooking skills are amazing, not only do they smell good, but they also make people feel comfortable just by looking at them."

Aunt Lin also came over and nodded, "That's right, Chef Huang, your dumplings are cooked just right, not too soft or too hard, and with a hint of sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance, it's really mouth-watering. You're much better than those so-called master chefs out there!"

Aunt Li sincerely praised: "Manager Liu was worried about whether the candied osmanthus flowers he bought were suitable. Now it seems that they are a perfect match with your glutinous rice balls. The fragrance and appearance are absolutely amazing!"

"Okay, okay, stop praising us and start eating!" Huang Jun said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately shut up and started to follow the "whoever is closest to the water gets the moon first" mode.

Everyone eagerly picked up a spoon, scooped up a dumpling, blew it to cool it down a bit, and then took a bite...

The soft and glutinous crust is wrapped with sweet fillings, and with a touch of elegant osmanthus fragrance, it is simply the most delicious thing in the world.

Everyone in the kitchen was immersed in the food, but Huang Jun noticed that his two precious daughters were sitting in the kitchen dining area waiting, so he took two bowls of glutinous rice balls and walked out of the kitchen, asking as he walked: "Qingqing, Weiwei, when did you come?"

"Dad, my sister and I came a long time ago, but when I saw that you were not here, I guessed that you must be busy in the operating room, so my sister and I waited for you here." Qingqing looked up at him and explained in a baby voice.

Weiwei also nodded and added, "Dad, let me tell you, when we were playing on the playground, Tiantian and her mother came too. Tiantian's mother gave us red envelopes, but we didn't take any!"

"You are really good children. Dad will reward you with dumplings."

Huang Jun placed two bowls of steaming dumplings in front of them and reminded them carefully: "The dumplings are just out of the pot and are still a little hot. Remember to cool them down before eating."

Weiwei looked like a little adult and said seriously, "Dad, my sister and I are not children anymore. We know how to be careful."

Huang Jun was amused by Weiwei's appearance and replied with a smile: "Okay, okay, then you guys take your time to eat. Dad will call the teachers to come and taste the dumplings together."

After saying that, he walked to the door, toward the teaching building and the office building, and shouted loudly: "Everyone, come and eat the dumplings..."

Weiwei came to Huang Jun quietly at some point, with her cheeks puffed up, and shouted incoherently: "Master, eat dumplings, la la~" Xie Jianing's ears were extremely sensitive. When she heard the three words "eat dumplings", she immediately stopped making the bed and ran out of the classroom without hesitation.

Her hurried look made people who didn't know the situation think that something urgent was about to happen in the garden.

"Teacher Xie, are you available? Can you bring me a bowl of glutinous rice balls?"

Yang Yuxi couldn't leave for the time being and was feeling worried, but she noticed that Xie Jianing was about to leave, so she raised her voice and shouted.

"And me, Teacher Xie, don't forget to bring me a bowl!"

Seeing this, Wang Wenxia hurriedly echoed.

"Oh, no problem, I'll bring it back to you in a minute."

Xie Jianing didn't even turn her head, but just hurriedly agreed, and her steps became more hurried.

She trotted to the kitchen.

As soon as I walked in...

I was deeply attracted by the white, round and lovely dumplings in Weiwei's small bowl.

"Wow, these dumplings look so tempting!"

She couldn't help but exclaim: "Eating glutinous rice balls on the Lantern Festival with sweet osmanthus must be the best! Just smelling the fragrance is intoxicating, and looking at the appearance, it makes people drool..."

Although he felt itchy inside, he resisted the urge to reach out and grab them. He turned around and walked quickly to the food counter to ask Aunt Li and the others for some glutinous rice balls.

It’s not that she really didn’t want to snatch it, but she was really afraid that Weiwei would cry because of this, and that would make Huang Jun, who doted on his daughter, unhappy and he would no longer make delicious food for her.

That's really not worth it.

As soon as Xie Jianing arrived at the pick-up window, she heard Aunt Lin praising the food as she ate it, "Oh, Chef Huang's cooking skills are incredible. He could open a restaurant out there."

"Yes, the sugared osmanthus is added just right. It enhances the flavor without making you feel greasy. It's really... really, how do you say it?" Aunt Li wanted to say an idiom to show off her culture, but her knowledge was limited and she couldn't think of the right word for a moment.

"The finishing touch?"

After hearing this, Xie Jianing couldn't help but add a sentence.

Aunt Li smiled so hard she couldn't stop when she heard this, and nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, yes, that's the finishing touch! Teacher Xie is really knowledgeable, and he hit the nail on the head!"

Xie Jianing smiled and waved her hands, saying modestly: "Aunt Li, please don't praise me like that. I just said it casually. Please give me a bowl of glutinous rice balls to satisfy my craving."

"Okay, don't worry, I'll bring it to you right away!"

Aunt Li said this with a smile, holding a few bowls of steaming dumplings in her hand and placing them one by one at the window so that the teachers could help themselves.

Xie Jianing couldn't wait to take a bowl. The aroma alone made her feel that it was more tempting than the ones sold at the entrance of her own community.

Take a bite...

Sure enough, both the soft and chewy outer layer of the glutinous rice balls and the rich and delicious fillings far exceeded her expectations.

The glutinous rice ball skin wraps the filling perfectly, not too sticky but still tough. The unique chewy texture instantly awakens her taste buds.

As the teeth get deeper...

The filling flows out slowly, releasing a rich black sesame aroma and a hint of sweetness.

It is worth mentioning that the filling is blended with the fragrance of pork fat, making the overall taste richer, sweet but not greasy.
While chewing.

You can also feel the subtle crunch brought by the sesame seeds, which contrasts with the soft and glutinous glutinous rice dumpling skin, creating an indescribable delicious enjoyment...

"It's delicious..."

Xie Jianing praised sincerely.

At this moment, the "white moonlight" glutinous rice balls in her heart have quietly moved from the small shop at the entrance of the community to the bowl in her hand.

After enjoying a small bowl of glutinous rice balls and satisfying her taste buds, Xie Jianing suddenly remembered that there were two teachers waiting for her in the class.

She quickly took two more bowls of dumplings, carefully placed them on the tray, and planned to give them to them.

Although she had eaten a lot in the kitchen and was already feeling full, on the way back to the classroom, the tempting aroma once again aroused her appetite.

She changed her mind and decided to pretend that she hadn't eaten yet when she got to the classroom so that she could taste it again with Yang Yuxi and the others.

Her mind was so focused on Tangyuan that she didn't notice there were two more parents in the classroom when she pushed the door open.

She said happily: "Today is the Lantern Festival, and Chef Huang specially prepared glutinous rice balls. Look, these white and plump ones are particularly tempting, aren't they?"

"Wow, what exquisite dumplings..."

"These dumplings are as white as jade and sprinkled with sweet osmanthus flowers. They make people salivate just by looking at them..."

The familiar voice made Xie Jianing stunned. She then realized that the two parents, Li Xiuxian and Qu Qing, were also there.

Uh…

She looked down at the dumplings on the tray, then looked up at the two parents' eyes that were almost glued to the dumplings, and suddenly she had a bad feeling that the dumplings in her hand might be "lost".

This premonition not only lingered in her mind, but Yang Yuxi and Wang Wenxia also felt the same way.

I secretly sighed why she didn't take a quick look at the "changing situation" in the classroom before entering.

Hey!
it's good now!

I’m afraid these dumplings will have to be “shared”!
But I have to say, this damn sixth sense is so damn accurate...

If they encounter such a situation on weekdays, they will politely invite the parents to taste it together, and the parents will often politely decline. But faced with such tempting dumplings, who can really resist the temptation?

What’s more, these dumplings are made by Huang Jun’s skillful hands, making them even more irresistible.

"thanks, thanks!"

Qu Qing took the bowl with a smile on her face and shared it with Li Xiuxian.

After tasting it, Qu Qing couldn't help but praise it repeatedly: "Qingqing's father's cooking skills are really amazing. Even the glutinous rice balls that people easily feel sick of can be made so delicious, sweet but not greasy, and full of fragrance."

It was worth it that she deliberately delayed coming in after hearing Huang Jun shouting "eat dumplings" in the garden.

Li Xiuxian nodded repeatedly on the side. Although she maintained a reserved smile on her face, she was already very happy in her heart. She secretly congratulated herself that "it is better to come at the right time than to come early" and that she had come at the right time this time.

Qu Qing smiled and changed the subject, asking Teacher Yang: "Teacher Yang, when will we organize activities this semester?" (End of this chapter)