Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

In the kitchen of Fengzeyuan Restaurant, a group of people were working hard when Manager Luan brought over three fresh grass carp, each of which was quite large and looked to weigh four or five pounds.

"Everyone's busy. I was passing by a stall today and saw some nice-looking fish, so I bought a few. I'll cook them for the guys later."

"The shopkeeper is so generous!"

The kitchen erupted in cheers, everyone beaming with smiles. The kitchen had no shortage of food, but the ingredients used for cooking were definitely discarded, substandard products.

Of course, even the substandard food rejected by the kitchen is not bad, it's just not suitable for serving to customers, but it's more than enough for the employees.

Being able to eat fresh fish is certainly a perk.

"By the way, which future head chef is making the staff meals today?" Manager Luan suddenly teased.

"The shopkeeper is my senior brother," He Yuzhu answered most enthusiastically.

"Oh, it's our Kyushu chef! We'll be counting on you for lunch, so don't do a bad job!" Manager Luan joked cheerfully.

The people in the kitchen all laughed.

Li Jiuzhou smiled too. Their shopkeeper had a lot of personal charm and was humorous.

Li Jiuzhou had been working at Fengzeyuan for over a month and had never seen him put on airs.

Li Jiuzhou wasn't intimidated. He stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Manager Luan, and then asked, "Manager, how would you like these fish prepared?"

"Um?"

Upon seeing Li Jiuzhou ask this question, the kitchen staff all stopped what they were doing.

Luan Xuetang became interested, stroked his chin, thought for a few seconds, and then slowly said:

"I haven't had much of an appetite lately, and my mouth feels bland. I'm not picky, as long as the flavor is strong."

He then shouted loudly to the kitchen staff, "Brothers, what do you think of my suggestion?"

The kitchen staff echoed:

"We'll listen to the shopkeeper; we prefer stronger flavors."

"Kyushu brat, show us what you've got."

Li Jiuzhou cupped his hands in greeting to the chefs and apprentices around him and smiled:

"Just you wait and see, I guarantee it'll make your taste buds swoon..."

"Fine...you've got guts, kid. We'll see."

"Then you all get back to work, Chef Kyushu, I look forward to your performance." After saying this, the manager turned and left the kitchen.

Li Tielong and his eldest apprentice exchanged a glance and smiled. Let them cause trouble, let them cause trouble to their heart's content.

"Master, do you need me to lend a hand?" Wang Shan was afraid that his junior brother would embarrass himself, so he wanted to give him a helping hand.

Li Tielong shook his head and said, "Don't go. Let Jiuzhou handle it. Let's see what tricks they have up their sleeves. Since they have the guts to take it on, they have the confidence to do so. Don't panic."

"Okay then."

It was lunchtime, and the kitchen was busy. Li Jiuzhou needed to prepare the staff meals in advance.

"Zhu Zi, come lend a hand and help me kill and prepare the fish."

"Alright, senior brother, I'm coming right now."

He Yuzhu helped kill the fish and scrape off its scales, while Li Jiuzhou went to prepare the ingredients.

Craving something with a strong flavor? Simple, check out sauerkraut fish.

Fengzeyuan has a full range of seasonings. Although there are no pre-mixed seasoning packets, the chefs have their own methods.

The sauerkraut is the key ingredient; Fengzeyuan has it, and it's pickled by He Daqing. It's basically for the employees; it's not something you can serve in public.

After the fish was prepared, Li Jiuzhou sliced ​​it and marinated it to remove the fishy smell.

Prepare the side dishes, etc.

He Yuzhu really wanted to ask, because he had never seen this combination of dishes before.

What the hell is this dish?

However, seeing his senior brother's serious expression, he ultimately did not speak.

I found a huge pot, turned on the heat and added oil. First, I stir-fried the fish bones and heads that I had removed, and then I added them to make fish soup.

There were three bowls in total, enough for the employees to eat.

Sprinkle a layer of Sichuan peppercorns, dried chili peppers, chopped green onions, minced garlic, etc. on the fish.

The last step is to pour oil over the ingredients to release the aroma.

"Sizzle..." After Li Jiuzhou finished the last step, the entire kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma.

He Yuzhu, who was standing to the side, was practically drooling; it smelled so damn good.

He witnessed his senior brother's actions firsthand, and to be honest, he was truly impressed.

He knew this dish was definitely good even before he had tasted it.

The chefs all sniffed, showing expressions of surprise.

Before long, the shopkeeper arrived with Mr. Guo and others from the front hall, having heard the news.

"It smells so good, fucking good!"

"Kyushu, let's not worry about how the fish tastes right now, but I can smell the aroma right here in the front hall."

Chefs Li Tielong and others came over to look at the three bowls of fish.

The dish looked fantastic, with a layer of oil floating on top, and the sliced ​​fish looked incredibly tender and bouncy.

The dried red chilies crackled and popped as they were coated in oil.

"This is Sichuan cuisine. Is this a new dish you developed, senior brother?" He Daqing asked Li Tielong in surprise.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Li Tielong.

"Don't flatter me, I don't know how to make this dish, I've never even seen it before," Li Tielong said.

"Apprentice, tell me what this dish is called."

"Master, I was just thinking about this out of boredom. How does the sauerkraut fish taste? Please taste it first," Li Jiuzhou said with a smile.

"Bring me chopsticks," said Manager Luan.

After the chopsticks were brought over, Manager Luan picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth, chewing it slowly for a while.

Then his eyes lit up and he said excitedly:

"Fresh, fragrant, numbing, and spicy!"

"The fish is fresh, smooth, and has no muddy taste at all."

"This pickled fish is amazing!"

"Quickly bring some white rice; it's such a waste that this fish isn't good with rice."

Upon hearing this, the chefs all picked up their chopsticks to try it, and each one was more astonished than the last after tasting it.

This cooking skill is quite impressive!

How old is Li Jiuzhou?

Li Tielong was even more surprised. He could taste the flavor and said that the pickled fish was excellent.

Just by tasting it, Li Tielong roughly knew how to make it; a master chef is a master chef.

As the shopkeeper just said, it's fresh, fragrant, numbing, and spicy – ​​isn't that exactly how authentic Sichuan cuisine is made?

My apprentice has really succeeded! His talent is extraordinary; he can even develop his own recipes now.

The others weren't idle either; they picked up their meals and started eating.

They ate it with utmost gusto.

Li Jiuzhou also ate with great relish, his forehead covered in sweat, it was so spicy!

The three large bowls of fish and side dishes were completely devoured.

The shopkeeper let out a satisfied burp and smiled at Li Tielong, saying:

"Master Li, you've taken on a great apprentice! This dish is absolutely amazing!"

Luan Xuetang was also a chef by training, so of course he knew the quality of the dish.

What's more, there's Mr. Guo next to us, and that old man is also a gourmand.

Didn't you see how greasy that old guy's mouth was just slurping up food?

Li Tielong said modestly, "It's all just messing around by Kyushu. It's nothing special. Manager, please don't praise him too much. Don't get carried away."

Manager Luan waved his hand: "Alright, we both know what's going on. Jiuzhou's skills are almost ready, he just needs a little more experience."

"How about we add this pickled fish to the menu at Fengzeyuan Restaurant?"

Li Tielong's expression changed, and he exclaimed in surprise:

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. You can discuss it with Kyushu. Don't worry, I won't treat him unfairly."