After Shang Xiuxun tasted Zhao Youqian's cooking and heard Zhang Xiaofan's explanation, he seemed to be still awake.
But subconsciously, I started to admire Zhang Xiaofan.
"Xiaofan, your talent in cooking is simply terrifying!"
Even Nu Liang Hua Lao would not deny this, otherwise he would not give Zhang Xiaofan a slight nod.
Obviously, his explanation has completely explained the smoked and grilled fish that is the perfect dish to go with wine.
It's not just about being able to eat, you have to have amazing talent in cooking.
"You guys, just keep eating. Xiaofan has finished tasting that dish, now watch me make the second way..."
The two guys who were gulping down were furious. This dish obviously needs to be tasted slowly. In the end, the Nuliang slipper was okay. Shang Xiuxun stuffed a third of it in one bite, even though most of the alcohol had been ignited. , then the remaining high-level liquor will also make people drunk, okay?
After waving his hand to beckon Zhang Xiaofan over, Zhao Youqian began to prepare the second dish of fish.
Previously, he had taken advantage of the gap between pickled fish to clean up the other fish. This time he also took two fish, but instead of cutting them directly, he only made a small slit on the belly.
All the internal organs inside had been cleaned, and even the fish's gills and teeth had been specially cut off. However, the integrity of the fish's belly was maintained, with only a little gap left. This also made Zhang Xiaofan a little confused outside the kitchen.
"this is...?"
Zhao Youqian was not surprised that Zhang Xiaofan didn't understand, but the cooking he was teaching this time was also to impart some of Zhang Xiaofan's cooking concepts that were beyond the times, which was meant to broaden his horizons, so he didn't follow a completely step-by-step approach.
It’s no surprise that Zhang Xiaofan can’t understand it now, or even can’t learn it at all.
"The yellow rice is in the belly of the fish."
Although Zhao Youqian was cooking at this time, he still had some time to explain to Zhang Xiaofan.
After saying that, he stuffed the cornstarch rice and some millet that had been soaked before into the fish belly. Of course, not only these rice grains, but also some of the rice grains, astragalus root, Codonopsis pilosula, wolfberry, ginseng, and red dates were also put into the fish belly.
Suddenly, Meiyu's belly, which was originally as flat as a sword, was filled to the brim, as if she was pregnant.
Seeing this, Zhao Youqian felt quite regretful.
It would be better if it is a fish from a later season, especially in autumn. If it has roe, the flavor will be even better.
Having already tasted the meat quality of Meiyu, he could roughly guess the delicious taste of Meiyu roe. If it could be combined with rice and other ingredients, it would be truly delicious.
Although it is a little less rich now, the taste is still acceptable...
Use perilla leaves to plug the gap in the fish belly. Zhao Youqian found two thin slices of bamboo dustpan, put the two fish in, and then sealed them with bamboo strips.
"Fish is fragile, so if it is not easy to cook, you can wrap it with something to prevent direct contact with the pot and keep the shape intact. Generally speaking, bamboo products are the best, and they can also bring some bamboo fragrance to the fish."
In fact, Zhao Youqian's method is nothing new. It is just putting rice in the belly of the fish. A similar method has been spread in Yaozhou a long time ago.
The most critical thing is actually the type of rice.
The mixture of Yujing rice and millet creates an effect similar to the yellow rice in the story. In fact, Hong Yi and his world also have yellow rice, but it is relatively rare. He is also preparing for the scientific examination recently, so Zhao Youqian did not bother him.
Let him prepare for the exam with peace of mind, and at the same time, control the sale of spices, so as not to ship too many spices in Yujing City, and Hong Yi's own supply of goods will not be easy to explain.
After stopping selling for a while, Hong Yi is not short of money for the time being. He will consider continuing to sell spices after passing the scientific examination. By then, he will be considered a semi-official and can hire someone to act as an agent for this kind of thing.
Therefore, Hong Yi rarely comes to Zhutian Restaurant recently, and only occasionally comes to dine and relax. However, Zhao Youqian came up with another method and always prepared soaked Yujing rice and millet.
I didn't expect to use it this time to deal with sleepy fish.
Adding medicinal materials together is a cooking method from the Northeast Yaozhou people, combined with a little ginseng chicken soup cooking idea.
The fish itself has delicate meat and rich fat, which is somewhat similar to chicken.
The water for soaking the rice cannot be wasted. When the two fish and the dustpan are put into the stew pot, the water for soaking the rice is also poured in at the same time. You cannot add cooking wine to this dish, otherwise it will destroy the natural taste of the ingredients, and the cooking wine If simmered for a long time, the finish will become slightly sour.
Zhao Youqian only slightly added a few green onion segments and a dozen whole uncrushed white peppercorns, then heated the stew pot over medium heat to a boil, then adjusted to low heat and simmered for forty minutes.
It can be said that this is an excellent fish soup that replenishes vitality and nourishes the body.
There are very few seasonings, and even after it is cooked, it is served with a sesame oil salt dish with only some sea salt and chopped sesame seeds.
What you drink is the pure, completely unflavored fish soup, which is also the best way to bring out the original taste and effect of the fish.
Zhang Xiaofan naturally noticed this technique, but what he didn't understand was why rice was added when it was done like this. Wouldn't it be the same if just stewing the herbs together?
“You’ll know it after you taste it!”
Sensing the confusion in Zhang Xiaofan's eyes, Zhao Youqian did not give a direct answer. This kind of thing must be personally tasted before he can draw a conclusion as to why these things are included in the recipe and why he is doing this.
"Prepare to see me do the third approach!"
Zhao Youqian has always been very resolute when it comes to cooking. Even if Zhang Xiaofan hasn't understood the previous dish, he has to start the last dish of sleepy fish.
After all, it takes at least forty minutes to stew the yellow rice fish, so you can't just wait and do nothing, right?
But at this moment, Tanjiro and Nezuko, who had been feeling heat waves all over their bodies, finally woke up!
'Crack!'
It was as if firecrackers were going off one after another in Zhutian Restaurant, and even Nu Liang Hua Lao and Tony Stark, who was enjoying the smoked fish, cast their eyes over.
"It seems to be working well!"
Zhao Youqian also cast a glance, and then nodded silently.
Tanjiro, who had just woken up, had not yet come back to his senses. When he looked at his sister next to him for the first time, he suddenly realized that his sister seemed to have grown up...
"Brother, why do you seem to have grown older?"
Unexpectedly, just as he was about to speak, Nezuko pointed at him in surprise and exclaimed.
Only then did he realize that the clothes he was wearing had become noticeably one size smaller.
"Don't be surprised, this is just a normal way of making up for some of your lost energy..."
With a piece of smoked fish still in his mouth, Tony answered next to him, and then his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Nezuko, come here and let me see what changes have taken place after your genes have compensated for your vitality!"
So Nezuko, who hadn't been awake for long, became Tony's blood-drawing tool again...