American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 324 Wilderness Cooking (Seeking monthly votes~~~)

Lin Yu'an used the freed nylon shoelace to tightly bind the connection between the stone spearhead and the shaft, using an extremely complex yet secure wrapping method.

He wrapped the wire layer by layer to ensure that the pressure was evenly distributed throughout the joint.

He pulled the laces tight with all his might with each loop, the strong nylon laces digging deeply into the hard wooden pole.

The immense pressure completely eliminated even the last sliver of space between the spearhead and the shaft.

Finally, use a double fisherman's knot, which is extremely reliable in sailing and rock climbing, to secure the rope end firmly, ensuring there is no possibility of it coming loose.

A composite stone spear, its tip gleaming with the sharpness of flint, its shaft straight, brimming with primal power and deadly beauty, was born in his hands!
Lin Yu'an stood up, holding the heavy weapon, and at the entrance of the shelter, facing the dark forest illuminated by the firelight, tried to stab a few times.

The sharp stone spearhead sliced ​​through the air with a whooshing sound. He could clearly feel each vibration from the spearhead being firmly transmitted to his palm.

He looked at the stone spear in his hand with satisfaction, feeling its solid and reliable weight.

“Alright,” Lin Yu’an said to the camera, his voice tinged with barely suppressed excitement, “Now, we not only have shelter and fire, but also weapons in the real sense.”

In the days that followed, this stone spear became his greatest source of security as he walked through the jungle.

After doing all this, he glanced at the western sky.

The sun had completely set behind the mountain ridge, but a splendid sunset still lingered on the horizon, like embers of a fire, enveloping the entire valley in a soft and mysterious twilight.

The mist in the mountains and forests began to rise and mix with the cooking smoke, making the surrounding scenery hazy.

Just then, a wave of emptiness rose in his stomach, reminding him like a drumbeat that he had hardly consumed any energy since morning.

Every cell in his body was screaming with hunger. He had to seize this last glimmer of light and prepare a dinner to replenish his energy.

Lin Yu'an smiled expectantly at the camera, "We found a supermarket during the day, now it's time to go shopping. Tonight, we'll have a full-on barbecue feast."

Holding the newly made stone spear tightly in his hand gave him an unprecedented sense of security.

He walked quickly back to the wild banana grove behind the shelter. The banana grove appeared even more secluded in the twilight, with huge leaves blocking out the sun and casting large, heavy shadows. Only a few rays of light pierced through the gaps in the leaves, scattering dappled light spots on the ground.

Lin Yu'an's gaze swept quickly across the forest, finally settling on a relatively small and fresh wild banana tree.

This was a rational choice; a more tender plant means less fiber in its stem, purer starch content, and a better taste.

“Banana leaves are perfect cooking utensils, but the real treasure of the banana tree lies within its body,” Lin Yu’an said as he walked to the selected wild banana tree.

He didn't rush to act, but first tapped the tree trunk with the end of the stone spear, feeling the firm texture full of moisture.

The sharp flint spearhead whistled through the air and struck the wild banana tree about twenty centimeters above its root.

"Pfft!"

With a crisp 'snap', the spearhead easily sliced ​​through the tough leaf sheath and embedded itself deeply into the pseudostem.

A burst of fresh, plant-like juice splattered out instantly. He pulled out his stone spear and slashed down from another angle, each strike precise and powerful.

Soon, accompanied by a creaking sound as the tree succumbed to its weight, it slowly tilted to one side and finally crashed to the ground with a loud thud.

Lin Yu'an ignored the huge leaf and instead used a stone spear and stone knife to quickly cut off the thickest and most sturdy section from the middle of the fallen pseudostem, carrying it on his shoulder and hurrying back to the camp.

Night had completely fallen, and the valley was pitch black. The campfire was the only source of light and warmth in this dark world, its crackling flames illuminating the surrounding rock walls with flickering light.

"Now, let's prepare tonight's main course."

Lin Yu'an placed the thick pseudostem on the cleaned ground next to the fire, and first used a sharp stone to peel away the outer coarse, dark green leaf sheaths layer by layer, like peeling an onion.

Each leaf sheath is very thick, filled with tough fibers and a large amount of water.

With each layer peeled away, an even richer, more intense aroma, reminiscent of a mixture of cucumber and tender bamboo shoots, fills the air, refreshingly invigorating.

As the layers are peeled away, the diameter of the pseudostem decreases at a visible rate, and its color changes from dark green, light green, and yellowish-green to an alluring milky white.

Finally, after the last layer of tender leaf sheaths, as thin as a cicada's wing, was peeled away, a tender, moist stem, as white and plump as a giant water chestnut or palm core, appeared completely before him.

Its surface is incredibly smooth and delicate, with no trace of any fibers visible. The cut surface even slowly oozes out glistening water droplets, giving it a vibrant and pure appearance.

He pointed the stem core at the camera, the firelight casting a soft halo on it. "Look," he said, "this is the essence of the banana tree, rich in starch and water."

"But remember, the juice of wild banana cores contains a lot of tannins, which will be very astringent if eaten raw. They must be thoroughly cooked so that high temperatures can complete the final transformation."

Before preparing the main dish, he first prepared the side dish—wrapped and roasted golden ear fungus.

Lin Yu'an took the cleaned, broad banana leaves and quickly roasted them over a fire. The leaves sizzled as they heated up, and their color instantly became even more vibrant green, as if they had come back to life.

At the same time, a unique plant fragrance was fully released, filling the air.

This process, known as "killing the green," makes the leaves softer and more resilient, less prone to tearing during subsequent folding and wrapping.

“In Yunnan, this cooking method is called ‘wrapped and roasted’,” he explained as he skillfully handled the leaves. “Banana leaves are like a natural pressure cooker with its own seasoning packets.”

"It can perfectly lock in the moisture and original flavor of the ingredients during the grilling process, while infusing its unique fragrance into the food without reservation."

After preparing the leaves, he tore the fresh golden ear mushrooms into small pieces by hand and placed them in the center of a blanched banana leaf. Tearing them by hand creates irregular cuts along the edges of the mushrooms, making it easier for them to absorb steam and aroma.

Next, he wrapped the golden ear fungus in several smaller banana leaves, layering them as if wrapping a precious gift.

His technique was very skillful. He first folded it in half from left to right, and then folded the top and bottom ends towards the middle to form a square, well-sealed green package.

Finally, use a few flexible vines to tie the entire package tightly in a crisscross pattern.

"Alright, the side dishes are ready." Lin Yu'an put the golden ear fungus aside before starting to prepare the tender white banana core.

"For the main dish, we also use the wrapping and grilling method. Although direct charcoal grilling is also possible, the outer layer is easy to burn and will lose a lot of precious moisture."

"Wrapping it in banana leaves allows it to be partially steamed and baked in its own juices, resulting in a more moist, soft, and glutinous texture, as well as a more even sweetness."

Instead of wrapping the whole piece directly, he used a sharp stone knife to cut it evenly into three sections, each resembling a thick piece of sugarcane.

Then, take a few larger banana leaves, place the three banana cores side by side on them, and roll them up tightly with two or three layers of leaves like rolling sushi, forming a large green cylinder.

"To wrap the banana core, you need to use larger leaves and roll them more tightly so that they can withstand the expansion that may occur after the starch inside gelatinizes."

Similarly, use rattan to tightly bind the banana core cylinder into sections to ensure it doesn't fall apart during cooking.

Having done all this, Lin Yu'an began to tend his fire. With a long stick, he skillfully pushed the burning firewood aside, revealing the scorching ashes in the center of the fire. He carefully buried the square gold earring and the thick banana core cylinder together in the blazing embers and hot ashes, then covered them completely with hot ash.

Lin Yu'an sat by the fire, feeling the warmth of the firelight dispel the damp chill of the valley night and also protect him from the unknown dangers in the darkness.

During the twenty minutes of waiting, I listened quietly to the breath of the forest. Insects chirped, streams murmured, and occasionally, the calls of night birds drifted from afar.

Two distinct yet harmonious fragrances began to fill the air.

One flavor is a blend of the fresh aroma of mushrooms and the delicate fragrance of banana leaves, carrying the moist scent of a forest after rain, pure and natural.

Lin Yu'an's stomach growled uncontrollably, and he chuckled self-deprecatingly.

He used the long wooden stick to pry the golden ear-shaped bun, which had been roasted until its exterior was charred black, out of the charcoal fire, where smoke was still rising from its surface.

Place the package on a flat stone and use a stone knife to deftly cut open the charred vines and the outermost carbonized leaves.

"hiss--"

A thick, scalding white steam, mixed with an irresistible aroma, erupted like a volcanic eruption! He instinctively tilted his head back to avoid the heat wave.

As he peeled back the layers of still-green but fully steamed leaves to reveal the innermost contents, a highly tempting scene unfolded before the camera.

The golden ear fungus has completely changed its appearance. It is no longer a simple golden yellow, but has fully absorbed the juice of the banana leaves and has been tinged with a light grass green.

Under the perfect steaming of high temperature, they become crystal clear, plump and juicy, each curled gill soaked in delicious broth, shimmering with a jewel-like luster under the firelight.

Lin Yu'an's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. He quickly used a stone knife to carve a pair of wooden chopsticks and picked up a piece of incredibly bouncy, piping hot golden ear fungus.

He blew on it gently, then eagerly put it in his mouth. No salt, no oil, no modern seasonings whatsoever.

But the moment it entered his mouth, a taste experience far more complex than boiling or direct grilling exploded on his taste buds!
It's an ultimate in freshness, tenderness, smoothness, and crispness! The gelatinous texture of the golden fungus is perfectly preserved, and it even becomes more chewy due to the thorough moistening effect of high-temperature steam.

With a gentle bite, the piping hot and delicious broth locked inside the mushroom gills bursts in your mouth.

The broth contained the unique sweetness of the golden ear fungus itself, along with a refreshing herbal fragrance from banana leaves. These two flavors blended perfectly, creating an indescribable umami taste.

"Mmm..." Lin Yu'an let out a long, satisfied sigh, "This is wonderful... This is the most authentic taste of this forest!"

He quickly devoured the small packet of golden fungus, even drinking the last drop of delicious broth from the packet.

As the warm food went down, a warm current rose from his stomach, dispelling the fatigue and chill that had accumulated throughout the day, and replenishing his tired body with the most basic energy.

"Hmm... the perfect appetizer."

After finishing the golden ear fungus, he took the banana core cylinder, which was also roasted until its outer skin was charred black, out of the charcoal fire. Its volume seemed to have expanded a bit since it was put in.

He used a stone knife to cut open the vines and carefully peeled away the outer layer of leaves that had been completely carbonized.

As the leaf sheath peeled off, a burst of white steam, a mixture of caramel, fresh, and sweet aromas, suddenly rose up, revealing a soft, glutinous, and translucent milky-white core.

Because they are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, they retain all their moisture perfectly, appearing moist and shiny, with a layer of slightly viscous syrup that has been extracted by the high temperature on the surface.

The moment he took a bite, his eyes widened in shock!
It was an incredibly wonderful texture he had never experienced before! Gone was the smoky chewiness of direct charcoal grilling; instead, it was an exquisitely soft, smooth, and melt-in-your-mouth texture that was perfectly even inside and out!
The abundant starch, after being steamed in hot and humid conditions for a long time, has completely saccharified, releasing a pure, sweet, and refreshing flavor that is even more delicate than the best taro paste, and also carries a hint of the unique plant fragrance of banana.

"My God..." He carefully savored this hard-won staple food, "This is simply rice cake made by nature! No, it's even more delicate than rice cake, with a refreshing and moist feel, and you can't taste any bitterness at all. It's incredible."

A side dish of wrapped and roasted golden ear fungus and a main course of wrapped and roasted banana cores. This sumptuous dinner, full of primal wisdom, completely relieved him of the torment of hunger, and his tired body was filled with renewed energy.

After doing all this, exhaustion finally washed over me like a tidal wave; every joint and every muscle was screaming for rest.

But he did not lie down immediately, because there was one last task to complete—preparing water for tomorrow's journey.

He used a stone knife to make a long cut in the middle of several large banana leaves, but did not cut them completely.

Then he bent the leaf downwards at an angle to form a natural drainage channel, aligning the ends of all the drainage channels with the multiple simple water containers he had placed on the ground, which were made from another large banana leaf folded over.

"This is one of the simplest and most effective ways for us to get clean drinking water in the jungle: collecting dew."

He turned the camera to the babbling brook not far away and explained softly, "I know you're all going to ask, since there's a stream right here, why go through all this trouble?"

"Although the stream here looks crystal clear, we are in a primeval forest. There may be animal carcasses and feces upstream, and parasite eggs and bacteria that are not visible in the water are everywhere."

"Drinking it directly is gambling with your digestive system. Without medication, severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration and failure of the challenge. So you must heat it before drinking it."

"At night in the Ailao Mountains, the air humidity is extremely high and the temperature difference is also significant. As night falls and the temperature drops, the water vapor in the air condenses into dew on the cold surface of these leaves."

"And these drainage channels I designed will collect the dew that condenses on thousands of leaves, drop by drop, into the container below us."

"By tomorrow morning, these banana leaves will have collected at least a liter of the purest dew for us, which is crucial for my long journey tomorrow."

Only after setting up this passive water treatment plant did he truly feel at ease.

Back at the shelter, I pointed a camera fixed to a rock at myself and gave my summary of the first day into the lens.

His voice sounded tired, but his eyes, illuminated by the firelight, shone with a light as bright as stars.

"On the first day, we had shelter, fire, knives, weapons, and an unexpectedly sumptuous dinner, as well as clean drinking water that was being produced for us overnight."

“The Ailao Mountains are indeed very generous.” He paused, a challenging smile spreading across his face. “But carbohydrates alone are not enough. Our goal is always protein.”

"Today, we have solved the problem of survival and established a solid base for moving forward. But starting tomorrow, I will truly begin the core of this challenge—the march."

"My plan is to start my journey towards the final destination, Shimen Gorge, early tomorrow morning after I have collected the dew. So I must first swim up this stream for about five kilometers and cross this ridge in front of us."

His tone became serious, filled with awe for the unknown.

"After crossing the ridge, we will enter a more complex area, which will be our biggest challenge tomorrow."

"My goal is to advance at least three to four kilometers before dark and find a new safe campsite on the other side of the ridge."

"Today's campsite is just our starting point. From tomorrow onward, I will get one step closer to Shimenxia every day. The real challenge will truly begin tomorrow."

After saying that, he carefully placed the stone spear against the rock wall, making sure it was within easy reach.

Then, he curled up on the platform covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves deep inside the shelter, and closed his eyes amidst the warm firelight, the crackling of burning firewood, and the babbling of the stream in the distance.

This will be his first night in the Ailao Mountains.

(End of this chapter)