The pig's head, freshly scooped from the braising pot, was still steaming slightly, its surface glistening with a reddish-brown sheen of oil. It trembled slightly in the strainer, looking incredibly tempting.
The bamboo winnowing basket was replaced with a deeper one, with edges about ten centimeters high. A double-folded gauze was laid at the bottom to prevent the braised meat from being scratched by the bamboo strips and ruining its appearance.
The braised meat was piled up like building blocks. The most numerous piece, the braised pig's head meat, was placed to the side, with the pig's ears and snouts standing upright, and two pig's trotters in the center. The small basket was packed full, looking extremely appealing.
Only a portion of the braised meat was actually taken out. Less was sold at noon, and leaving it outside in the wind would easily cause it to discolor. The peak timing was in the evening.
"Master Xiao and Master Zheng have all their equipment ready, and they even hired an assistant. They look very professional." Zhou Miao said to Zhou Yan as he returned and helped scoop the braised meat out.
"My Master and his team have four banquets to hold this month alone, some with as many as thirty tables. They definitely can't manage without hiring people." Zhou Yan said with a smile. He had been a temporary helper at Zhou Hao's wedding last time.
His Master knew perfectly well how many people could accomplish what.
Having been a head chef in Suji for half his life, finding a capable and efficient helper wouldn't be difficult.
Zhou Yan picked up the winnowing basket and carefully placed it on the small square table by the door, then saw the Huang siblings slowly arriving on their bicycles.
"Boss Zhou!" Huang Ying greeted him with a smile.
Huang Bing nodded to him. He felt that calling him "Brother Zhou" didn't quite suit his image, when he was out and about, people always called him "Brother Huang."
"You two arrived early for lunch." Zhou Yan said with a smile, looking at the two of them.
It was clear they hadn't rushed off at noon, their faces were still sweaty, but not as exaggeratedly so as if they'd been pulled out of water that morning.
Huang Ying's eyes were already drawn to the basket of braised meat. She parked the bicycle and immediately leaned over, her mouth slightly agape: "These braised pig's trotters look so delicious! And the braised pig's head meat, it smells amazing!"
She loved braised meat, but her family's restaurant didn't make it!
They usually bought it outside, eating at Zhao Ji Braised Food in the south of the city several times a month.
Her father also loved braised meat, but every time he ate at Zhao Ji, he complained, saying it wasn't as good as Zhang Ji's braised meat from Suji.
Huang Ying had never tasted Zhang Ji's braised food since birth, so she didn't believe him, she just loved Zhao Ji's.
But Zhou Yan's braised meat looked really good.
It has a bright red color and a rich, savory aroma.
Especially the braised pig's trotters in the middle, so plump and meaty, they looked incredibly tempting!
"What's so great about pig's trotters? How about a plate of pig's snout and ears?" Huang Bing came over, his mouth watering at the sight of the basket of braised meat, and suggested.
Huang Ying nodded, looking at Zhou Yan, "Then I'll have a braised pig's trotter, and a plate of pig's snout and ears."
"Alright, I'll cut two liang for each of you and mix them into a plate." Zhou Yan nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. They were right to order, it would be even better if they could pack some to take back to their dad.
In business dealings, whoever takes the initiative first is at a disadvantage in negotiations.
The textile factory was still a few minutes away from closing time. There were no customers in the shop at the moment.
The two entered the shop. Huang Bing paused at the door, looking at the large pot Zhao Tieying was guarding, and asked curiously, "Aunt Zhao, what kind of soup is this? It smells so good!"
"This is our shop's signature dish, 'Cross-legged Beef.' It contains beef intestines, tendons, tripe, and beef. The soup is fresh and delicious, nourishing and helps dispel dampness." Zhao Tieying looked at him and smiled, "With your slender frame, you should drink a bowl everyday to nourish yourself."
Aunt Zhao's friendly demeanor was irresistible. Huang Bing said, "Then I'll have a bowl to try."
It wasn't that he wanted anything nourishing, he was just a little thirsty after riding his bicycle all the way.
Besides, it was a hidden menu item he missed yesterday, so he definitely had to try it today.
"Sure, find a seat." Zhao Tieying replied with a smile.
The two found a table near the menu and sat down. As soon as they sat down, Huang Bing stared at the menu on the wall. "What two more dishes should we order?"
Huang Ying watched him start calculating: "Mom gave me twenty yuan for three days food expenses, averaging six yuan and sixty cents a day. We ate one yuan and eighty cents this morning, so we have four yuan and eighty cents left.
A pig's trotter is one yuan and twenty cents, braised pig's ears and snouts are one yuan and twenty cents, and a bowl of cross-legged beef is sixty cents, leaving one yuan and eighty cents. If you order two more dishes, will we even have dinner tonight?"
"Mom's so stingy! She doesn't even give us enough money for food." Huang Bing shifted his gaze from the menu to her face, thinking for a moment, "You ordered the pig's trotter separately, and you'll be eating it alone later, so it shouldn't be included in the food allowance, right? Let's save the extra 1.2 yuan for dinner, and order... a 0.4 yuan plate of stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage!"
"You said you don't eat braised pig's trotter, right?" Huang Ying nodded readily. "Okay, then the braised pig's trotter is on me. We can add a serving of stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage now."
"But, is this a new dish? I didn't see it on the menu yesterday." Huang Ying stared at the stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage at the end of the menu, 0.4 yuan a serving, the cheapest dish, cheaper than noodles.
There's no way around it, the budget is too tight, so they can't order meat again.
But just eating braised meat doesn't seem to be enough to go with rice, so ordering a cheap half-meat, half-vegetarian dish would be just right.
"Yes, it's a new dish that was just served today." Zhao Tieying brought over the cross-legged beef, giving them two small bowls and two dipping sauces.
Zhou Yan also brought out the pig's trotter, sliced braised pig ears, and braised pig snout.
He had overheard the siblings' conversation, so he hadn't sliced the braised pig's trotter, he had just heated it up and placed the whole thing in front of Huang Ying.
The steaming hot braised pig's trotter trembled slightly as the plate was placed on the table, its aroma even more enticing than the ones placed at the door.
Huang Bing's gaze couldn't help but follow it, his throat bobbing, but reason compelled him to look away.
One yuan and twenty cents each, and he had to pay for it himself.
No way!
His daily pocket money was only ten yuan. He had to pay for oil for his motorcycle, buy a small gift for his girlfriend, and treat his buddies to drinks…
He didn't have the budget to eat this big pig's trotter.
"This braised pig's trotter is amazing! I'll wash my hands and then I'll gnaw on it!" Huang Ying happily got up to wash her hands.
Huang Bing, on the other hand, turned his attention to the cross-legged beef.
The earthenware bowl was overflowing with meat, six slices of tender pink beef floating on top, a corner of tripe propped up beside it, translucent tendons that looked soft and chewy, and beef intestines—the aroma was irresistible, smelling incredibly fresh.
He picked up a spoon and ladled half a bowl of soup for himself.
He blew on the bowl, took a sip.
Hiss!
Hot!
The soup, freshly ladled from the boiling pot, was scalding hot.
But…so delicious!
His taste buds, slightly numb from the heat, were quickly drawn in by the savory flavor.
The delicious taste of the beef bone broth was so pronounced.
This pot contained offal, tendons, and beef—a rather miscellaneous mix—yet there wasn't a trace of gamey taste, only a rich, fragrant aroma!
Huang Bing blew on the steam, drinking it mouthful after mouthful.
Delicious!
After half a bowl, he felt warm all over, a thin layer of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Whew—
Huang Bing let out a sigh of relief.
This was so much better than the bone strengthening soup his family's restaurant had made for over a century.
He now seriously suspected that either his father hadn't learned his grandfather's true skills, or their family's bone strengthening soup still needed some practice.
"Is it really that good? You can drink it all in one gulp, even though it's so hot?" Huang Ying sat back down, rolling up her sleeves as she looked at Huang Bing with a puzzled expression.
She had just seen Huang Bing wince from the heat, yet he still couldn't bear to put down his bowl.
Huang Bing nodded: "No kidding, it's incredibly delicious, much better than our restaurant's bone strengthening soup."
"Really? Our restaurant's bone strengthening soup is something many customers come for every week. It's been passed down for over a hundred years. Our ancestors started Feiyan Restaurant with just one pot of bone strengthening soup." Huang Ying was a little skeptical, and instead of immediately eating the pig's trotter, she took a spoon and ladled herself half a bowl of soup.
She had learned the lesson, instead of rushing to drink from the bowl, she scooped it up with a spoon, blew on it gently, and then fed it to her mouth, her eyes immediately lighting up.
So fresh! So fragrant!
How can beef bone broth be made to have such a rich and savory flavor?!
The broth looks incredibly clear, yet the umami flavor is so intense it's almost overwhelming, making her eyebrows practically fly off.
Huang Ying has been a foodie since she was little and knows how to be charming. Her father would take her with him when he visited famous restaurants and chefs. Although she is only eighteen years old this year, but she has tasted more delicious food than many seasoned gourmets.
She can tell the quality of something just by tasting it.
This beef broth is indeed fresher and more refreshing than the bone broth at their Feiyan Restaurant. Besides the freshness of the beef bones and beef, she also tastes a unique aroma, like a blend of Chinese herbs and spices, but it's not overpowering. Instead, it enhances the flavor and aroma.
Of course, their bone strengthening soup also has its unique features. It has been passed down for a century. In addition to its delicious taste, its main appeal lies in its bone strengthening effects, which have won the hearts of many middle aged and elderly people.
But she heard what Aunt Zhao said too! This "Cross-legged Beef" is nourishing and removes dampness, it's also a medicinal dish!
Zhou Yan is amazing!
Not only is his stir-frying and braising excellent, but even his soup is so delicious.
She ate spoonful after spoonful, quickly finishing half a bowl of soup.
Huang Bing remained silent, simply eating piece after piece of beef and offal in the bowl.
"Snap!"
Huang Ying's chopsticks pressed down on his chopsticks, and she said coldly, "These three pieces of beef are mine! I just counted, there are six pieces in total, and you've already eaten three!"
Huang Bing said with a smile, "I'm your own brother, why are you being so calculating? You still have a big pig's trotter to eat."
"Beef is out of the question, but you can eat a couple more pieces of the others." Huang Ying quickly picked up some beef and put it in her dipping sauce dish, coated it with chili powder, and tasted a piece first.
The beef slices are large, thin, and tender, and they are incredibly smooth and tender, even more so than the sirloin cut for hotpot at home!
The cooking time was perfect.
And this chili powder, it smells so good!
It's spicy with a hint of numbing sensation, savory and delicious, like the finishing touch, enhancing the flavor of this tender beef.
This way of eating is similar to Spicy Pig Trotters Stew, the broth should be light and flavorful, but it must be paired with a flavorful dipping sauce—that's the Sichuan way of eating.
She also tried the crisp tripe, the soft and chewy tendons, and the tender beef intestines, each with its own unique flavor.
"How is Zhou Yan so amazing? He can make everything taste so good?" Huang Bing leaned closer and whispered.
Huang Ying thought for a moment and said, "He's probably a genius, one in a million in the culinary world."
This assessment wasn't tinged with infatuation.
She had eaten at many famous chefs' restaurants with her father, and in terms of sheer talent, Zhou Yan's dishes were absolutely top notch.
The heat and seasoning were perfectly controlled.
Truly skillful.
"No wonder Dad values him so much." Huang Bing pondered. Should he call him Brother Zhou or Brother Yan from now on? There are at least two or three hundred Brother Zhou in Suji Town. It would be better to call him Brother Yan, it would sound more intimate.
Genius—what a rare word!
He definitely needed to cultivate a good relationship beforehand.
He grew up in a restaurant, so he had learned about five or six parts of his father's manners.
"I'm going to eat pig's trotter!" Huang Ying put down her chopsticks, solemnly picked up both ends of the braised pig's trotter, and took a big bite.
The trembling pork skin easily peeled off the bone, the tendons were soft and chewy, and with one bite, the juices burst in mouth, making her soul tremble.
So fragrant!
This bite of hot braised pig's trotter is so satisfying!
Huang Ying loves braised pig's trotters. She eats one from Zhao Ji every three days, a habit she's maintained for five years—it's her sweetheart.
Usually, they're cold when she buys them, so she steams them herself, loving their soft, chewy, melt in mouth texture.
But today…
Zhao Ji's braised pig's trotters instantly dropped to second place in her heart.
Zhou Yan's braised pig's trotters took the top spot.
She suddenly understood her Dad's complaints.
The difference in braising liquid was enormous!
Braising liquid is the soul of braised food. It gives soul to ingredients like pig's trotters and pig's heads, which were originally unpopular, making them beloved by diners.
She had always thought Zhao Ji's braising liquid was excellent—fragrant, beautifully colored, and the braised meat was quite delicious, much better than other places.
But compared to Zhou Yan's braised pig's trotter, Zhao Ji instantly became just another roadside stall.
This was definitely a pot of aged braising liquid. The aroma of the braising liquid is very rich and the spices are perfectly blended. It is fragrant but not greasy, with a slightly sweet aftertaste because it uses genuine caramel coloring.
Huang Ying took another bite, the more she chewed, the more fragrant it became. The taste was truly amazing.
Huang Bing hadn't wanted to eat it, but Huang Ying's eating manner was too tempting. The braised pig's trotter looked so soft and fragrant, it even trembled slightly in her hand.
Unfortunately, he was short of money and couldn't afford a single braised pig's trotter.
The factory had already closed, and the textile factory workers flocked into the restaurant, taking their seats and ordering.
"Aunt Zhao, do you still have pig's trotters today? We'd like one!" the female worker at the next table asked.
"Besides the pre-orders, we have five left. I'll get it for you." Zhao Tieying replied with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Huang Ying raised an eyebrow, grabbed a piece of braised pig's ear, put it in her mouth, chewed and swallowed, then immediately added, "Aunt Zhao, I'd also like another braised pig's trotter, another braised pig's ear, another braised pig's snout, and half a jin of braised pig's head meat."
Huang Bing's eyes lit up, and he smiled with satisfaction.
She really is his younger sister. He didn't spoil her for nothing when she was little.
But isn't this a bit too much? They haven't even tried their braised pig ears and braised pig snouts yet.
"If you add more, you won't be able to finish it, will you?" Aunt Zhao looked at Huang Ying hesitantly. This girl has a good personality and a sweet tongue, but she can't waste money like this.
"Auntie, save these for me first. We'll pack them up and take them home after we finish eating." Huang Ying said with a smile, "My mom loves braised pig's trotters. I think your braised pig's trotters are so delicious. I want to take them back for my mom to try. The others are for my dad to have with his drinks."
Huang Bing stopped smiling.
So it wasn't ordered for him, but for their parents?
What a disappointment.
What a waste of his childhood pampering.
"Okay, I'll save some for you." Aunt Zhao replied with a smile.
In the kitchen, Zhou Yan smiled as the fish took the bait.
Stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage was served. Huang Bing served himself a bowl of rice, picked up a piece of braised pig's ear to taste, his eyes lit up, and he picked up another piece of braised pig's snout, exclaiming, "Braised meat is this delicious?!"
"Don't be so surprised, it makes us look ignorant." Huang Ying rolled her eyes at him and said with a smile, "The braised pig's trotter is even better. It was specially heated before being served. It's soft and chewy, soaked in the braising sauce, and full of the aroma of braising and meat. The taste is simply amazing."
"Gulp..." Huang Bing swallowed hard, gritting his teeth, "Huang Ying! You're deliberately trying to tempt me, aren't you!"
"One yuan and twenty cents each, that's so cheap! You don't know, Zhao Ji's pig trotters are smaller and don't taste as good, but they cost one yuan and fifty cents each. Huang Bing, why don't you buy one to try?" Huang Ying's smile grew brighter, with a hint of teasing. "Oh, I remember now, you have ten yuan to buy cosmetics for your girlfriend and drinks for your brothers. If you add a pig trotter, it might not be enough."
Huang Ying took another big bite, then held the trotter up to Huang Bing's face, waving it around. "Smell it, it smells so good! I can't resist!"
Feeling shivering with anger!
Huang Bing clenched his fist, made up his mind, stood up and shouted, "Aunt Zhao, I want a braised pig's trotter."
"Oh dear, why didn't you say so earlier? This beautiful lady ordered the last one." Zhao Tieying replied with a smile. "There will be more tomorrow, but not today."
"Okay..." Huang Bing slumped down.
Huang Ying burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at!" Huang Bing rolled his eyes at her. He hadn't expected that after making such a big decision, he'd missed out on the last pig's trotter.
These pig's trotters are selling too well!
Clang!
A pig's trotter tip appeared in Huang Bing's bowl.
Huang Bing looked up.
"Here's a taste for you. Don't worry, I broke it with my hands, I didn't bite it." Huang Ying said, smiling at him.
"Actually, I didn't really want to eat it..."
"Then give it back to me!"
"Eat, eat, eat!" Huang Bing reached out and grabbed the pig's trotter tip, starting to gnaw on it.
Mmm! So fragrant!
The skin is so soft! The tendon is chewy and slightly sticky.
Braised pig's trotters are so delicious—
He must have one tomorrow!
This sister, he didn't spoiled for nothing.
After finishing the pig's trotter and washing her hands, Huang Ying even ate a bowl of rice.
The stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage was alright, not as amazing as the other dishes, just average, but good with rice.
Stir-fried vegetables, average is fine.
No restaurant can make a dish that costs thirty or forty cents a plate of vegetables taste amazing, otherwise how would they sell meat dishes?
After paying, the brother and sister took the packaged braised meat and rode their bicycles back to the city.
"Running back and forth three times a day, she'll probably lose over ten jin in a month. Good for her." Aunt Zhao chuckled to herself, watching Huang Ying's large figure disappear into the distance.
Huang Ying thought the ordinary stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage was now a new favorite among the workers, almost everyone who came to eat in groups ordered a plate.
At forty cents a serving, it was the cheapest among stir-fries and braised dishes!
It's a generous portion and very oily.
How many textile factory workers didn't miss Master Xiao's stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage?
"Mmm, that's the taste! Almost exactly like Master Xiao's!"
"The price is cheap, but the taste is just as good! It's much oilier than the cafeteria, and the cooking time and texture are much better!"
"These pork cracklings smell so good..."
The workers were full of praise, and Zhou Yan was practically sparking with his spatula in the kitchen.
With the weather getting cooler, cabbage can be stored for three or four days, and it's also needed for cross-legged beef. Zhou Yan usually stocks up for two days on hand, replenishing as needed.
So, no matter how much the customer orders, they can always have stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage.
Cooking skills are something develop by scooping and turning the food one spatula at a time.
[A decent Stir-fried Pork Cracklings With Cabbage]
Now he can consistently serve meals, and each dish maintains a 'decent' level.
He's got the hang of it, he even just cooked a [A pretty good Stir-fried Pork Cracklings With Cabbage].
As long as he keeps cooking at a high intensity everyday, Zhou Yan feels his skills will improve rapidly.
Indeed, practice makes perfect.
This new dish, Stir-fried Pork Cracklings With Cabbage, will have a limited impact on revenue in the short term, and might even lower the average order value, causing a slight decline in business.
However, a low-priced dish can lower the barrier for customers to enter the restaurant to a certain extent.
For example, ordering a plate of stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage and a plate of spicy stir-fried pork liver for three people would only cost 1.2 yuan, averaging just 40 cents per person—cheaper than noodles.
However, once customers develop the habit of eating there regularly, they won't always order the stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage. In the long run, this is equivalent to attracting a new customer.
This is why many restaurants offer discounted dishes.
A 40 cents plate of stir-fried pork cracklings with cabbage costs about 10 cents to make, resulting in a gross profit of 30 cents—a considerable profit margin.
The customers are happy, and he's happy making money—that's good.
Now he's hoping that after Huang He tastes his braised food, he'll come to Suji to find him.
Could Feiyan Restaurant become the first customer to bring his braised food out of Suji?
…
Feiyan Restaurant, first floor.
Huang He and Zhao Shulan sat behind the solid wood counter, looking at the four oil paper packages lined up on it, both showing surprise: "Takeaway braised meat? Zhao Ji's?"
Huang Ying looked at Huang He and said, "Dad, wasn't you recently looking into braised meat shops, thinking of hiring a braised meat chef, or finding a braised food shop to supply braised meat?"
"Yes, I was planning that. Customers often ask about it. They say they need some braised food when drinking." Huang He nodded. He had discussed this with Zhao Shulan a few times at home, but he didn't expect Huang Ying to have remembered it.
"Take a look at this braised meat."
Huang Ying took four plates, unwrapped the oil paper packages, poured the contents into the plates, and placed them on the round table beside her.
Huang He and Zhao Shulan both came over, their eyes lighting up as they looked at the four plates of braised meat on the table.
The thinly sliced braised pig ears were the color of amber, dotted with white cartilage in the middle.
The braised pig's snout was sliced very thinly, while the braised pig's head meat was thicker, with a bright red color and a glossy sheen, looking quite tempting.
The most eye-catching dish was the large braised pig's trotter, lying horizontally on the plate, glistening with oil, looking absolutely delicious.
"This isn't from Zhao Ji's, it looks really good." Huang He looked it over, nodding repeatedly. "The chef who cut the braised meat has excellent knife skills; the ear slices should be thin for a crispy texture, but the pig's head meat should be thicker for a chewier and more flavorful texture."
"Try it." Huang Ying handed him a pair of chopsticks.
Huang He first picked up a slice of braised pig's ear and put it in his mouth, chewing slower and slower, as if trying to savor something, or perhaps deep in thought.
After swallowing, he picked up a piece of pig's head meat and put it in his mouth, chewing only a few times before his expression suddenly changed drastically.