Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 106
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 106: Bonus Chapter - Copper Hot Pot
The family banquet on New Year's Eve was always much the same every year. Of course, in a grand family like Duke Xie’s Mansion, the food was never lacking, but it rarely sparked excitement. Even on such an occasion as New Year's Eve, there were always strict rules at the dinner table.
However, this year was different. Whether it was Zhou-shi, who had resolved to leave the capital, or Xu-shi, who found it difficult to relax, everyone had changed in some way. No one was eager to repeat the same New Year’s Eve dinner of the past.
Jiang Shuyao, still unable to cook due to her pregnancy, had to rely on the chef to prepare a simpler New Year's Eve feast, following her specific instructions.
After thinking about it, she asked people to make three copper hotpots.
A copper hot pot was not the same as a traditional hot pot. The flavor was not strong. Whether it was steamed lamb or pickles and white meat, it was relatively light and suitable for all ages.
After the pot was done, Xie Xun carried the drawings and went to pick it up after work. Jiang Shuyao couldn't go, so she could only rely on him to inspect the goods. Luckily, the craftsman of the Lin family was very good, and there was nothing wrong with it. After he was sure that it was correct, he brought the pot back to the Xie Mansion. Lin Cheng, who was walking on the same road, was inevitably curious.
He had been thinking about hot pot for a long time, but the hot pot that they ate last time used a big and open pot. This copper pot was more delicate, with a vertical tube in the middle and a circle around it, probably where the meat was cooked.
He was cheeky and asked Xie Xun for the design for the copper hot pot. When Xie Xun went home, he asked Jiang Shuyao. Jiang Shuyao did not plan to hide it and gave Lin Cheng the drawings. Xie Xun also thought about his wife's relationship with Concubine Lin, so he ordered a few more and sent them to the Lord Xiangyang Mansion, Concubine Lin, and the East Palace.
To prepare a hot pot, you just need to cut vegetables and slice meat. Seeing that the sky was going to darken, the family banquet began.
Xie Ye and Xie Hao just came back from the street with their two younger brothers. Their stomachs were already empty. They went to the main kitchen and took out two steamed buns to share with the younger brothers. Then they looked on the stove for a roast chicken.
There were many dishes on New Year's Eve in previous years, but it was winter, and the dishes were cold after a while. Those who were close to the food did not have the appetite, and those who were far away could not pick it up. There was no warmth, and everyone went back to their own yard hungry and secretly found something to eat.
Later, Xie Ye and Xie Hao learned to be clever. First, they went to the main kitchen to find something to cushion their stomach and then eat something casually for dinner. After returning to the yard, they would eat something else with Xu-shi. Only after eating these three meals a night were they finally not hungry during New Year's Eve.
As a result, they wandered through the main kitchen, but to their surprise, the usual dishes were nowhere to be found. The kitchen, unlike previous years, was not as bustling, and there was no opportunity to sneak a taste of the food.
He casually grabbed a cook and asked, "This year's dishes have changed?"
The cook nodded and said, "Responding to the young master, the eldest lady gave us an order to follow the arrangements of the third lady. This year, only the main dishes would be served. The rest of the dishes have been withdrawn."
Xie Ye nodded and took his brothers away with steamed buns.
"What do you think we would have for dinner?" He said, "Only the main dishes were served, and the rest of the dishes were withdrawn. Are we going to eat dumplings?"
Xie Hao shook his head, "It won't be possible. Since the third aunt took over, we just wait to eat something delicious." He pulled Xie Ye's hand off, "Are you stupid—eating steamed buns?"
After a few steps out of the main kitchen, they were caught by Xu-shi.
"What are you doing here?" Xu-shi stared at Xie Ye and took a closer look.
Xie Ye hid the bun behind his back, "It's nothing. I'm hungry, so we came here to see if the food is ready."
Xu-shi nodded suspiciously and then urged them, "Come on. We were looking for you everywhere. Take a seat and prepare to eat."
They glanced at the sky, felt strange, and said, "This year, dinner was so early?"
When they recalled the situation in the main kitchen, they couldn't help but feel that this New Year's Eve dinner had an unusual sense of casualness.
No. It's not casual.
After the old madam and the Duke were seated and spoke long words like usual, the maids began to serve.
First of all, three copper pots were placed on the table.
Before Xie Ye and Xie Hao had time to be dumbfounded, they went on to serve a large plate of raw meat and vegetables.
Except for Xie Xun and Jiang Shuyao, the others didn't know what the hot pot was. Looking at the table of raw food, they were stunned and cast their eyes at Xu-shi.
Xu-shi quickly said, "Third sister-in-law arranged this year's banquet. We don't need the cooks to cook it. Let's cook it by ourselves."
It sounds too unpretentious. How can noblemen cook food themselves for New Year's Eve dinner?
Jiang Shuyao wanted to explain but was stopped by Xie Xun. He explained the way of eating copper hot pot first. After finishing speaking, he added, "If you are not used to eating this, the dishes from previous years are also warmed in the kitchen, so let the maid serve the dishes."
At this time, the soup in the copper hot pot began to boil. The winter in the capital was very cold. When the soup was bubbling, a milky white mist evaporated, and as the clouds lingered, the room warmed up a lot in a short while.
Xie Xun glanced at the old madam. Although they wanted to put aside the red tape for this year's New Year's Eve dinner and have a lively dinner, some rules still had to be observed.
After experiencing so many things, the old madam also understands some tolerance.
If it was her a few months ago, she would lose her temper with a cold face, and it would make the New Year's Eve dinner to be unpleasant. But now, she doesn't want to worry about unimportant things. After all, she had gone to the street food market and eaten there. What kind of pretentiousness does she still pay attention to?
She symbolically moved her chopsticks together with the Duke, so the juniors can move the chopsticks.
The food they served the most was naturally lamb slices. The muttons are as thin as paper. The slices of meat are translucent, with red and white colors, like marble patterns. They are neatly stacked on a white porcelain plate. Although they are raw meat, they are pleasing to the eye.
Such a thin slice of mutton would not tear when sandwiched between the chopsticks. Once placed into the boiling soup and given a slight shake, it would change color instantly.
It was expected that Jiang Shuyao would remain quiet, as it was not the appropriate time for her to speak. However, unaware of the unspoken rules, she offered her advice. "The lamb will taste better if you just 'rinse' it briefly in the hot soup. If you leave it in too long, it will become tough."
The others answered, then reached for the mutton with their chopsticks.
The dipping sauce for lamb was made from rich sesame paste, which could be enhanced with fermented bean curd or leeks, depending on personal preference. Chopped green onions and garlic were essential, with coriander and chopped peanuts adding an extra touch. The mellow, rich sesame sauce contrasted beautifully with the sharp green hues of the garnishes, creating a visually striking combination. For those who preferred a lighter taste, the sesame paste alone was absolutely delicious. Even without the additional seasonings, the lamb itself carried a rich, mellow flavor.
Once the lamb changed color, it was removed and wrapped in the thick sesame sauce. The thinly sliced pieces of meat, now coated in a generous layer of sauce, exploded with flavor when placed in the mouth, sending a dazzling wave of taste that lingered on the tongue.
The sesame sauce was warm, and the lamb slices were piping hot. When combined, the rich sesame fragrance was indulgent without being overly greasy. The tender, fresh meat was soft, practically melting in the sesame paste, requiring no effort to chew. As it melded together, it transformed into a lingering, irresistible aroma—milky and creamy, with an aftertaste that seemed to go on forever.
As soon as Xie Zhao swallowed, he couldn't help but sighed, "It's delicious!"
The dinner table was not very lively. His shouting broke people's focus on the gurgling soup, and the atmosphere was suddenly a bit strange.
Xie Ye held down his little brother and turned to look at his mother.
Xu-shi also looked at the old madam when Xie Zhao said that.
Xie Zhao didn't notice at all. He stretched out his arm and said, "Brother, give me another one. I can't reach it."
Xie Xun was about to stand up and help him when the old madam suddenly said, "Move the pot. Go ahead."
Everyone was taken aback, but the old madam didn't say anything else. She lowered her head and drank the appetizing soup in front of her again.
Her words seemed like a delicate needle, piercing through the tense atmosphere. Suddenly, everyone felt an inexplicable sense of relief, and the mood became as lively as the rising steam. Once one person spoke, it wasn’t long before another followed suit.
"Ah Yao, can you get it?"
"Thank you, Third aunt, for your concern. I can do it." Xie Yao directly stood up and cooked the mutton.
Xie Li hurriedly said, "I'll do it up for you."
Xie Yao pouted and looked at him, feeling aggrieved. Xie Li was confused, but Xie Ye burst out laughing and translated, "Father, you can eat yours. You have to do it yourself, so it would be fun."
Xu-shi scolded him, "You are not too young anymore." But there was a smile on her face, and she obviously agreed with him very much.
Xie Li shook his head. His dark face revealed a smile, and he said helplessly, "Okay, okay."
The atmosphere at the table gradually warmed up. Dishes were picked at, plates were swapped—each person reaching with their chopsticks, sharing and enjoying the meal together. Everyone grew more and more at ease. Perhaps the copper pot held some kind of magic. Even those who weren’t eating, simply sitting in front of the steaming pot, couldn’t help but relax. The milky mist rising from the pot seemed to soften their expressions, warming not just their bodies but their spirits as well.
Xie Xun remained silent throughout the whole process, but his hands of cooking mutton did not stop at all. Chopsticks after chopsticks, until the small bowl in front of Jiang Shuyao, piled up into a hill.
Jiang Shuyao helplessly said, "Don't patronize and only feed me. Eat some yourself."
Xie Xun replied and put a chopstick of meat into his bowl. But then he continued his action, constantly adding meat to Jiang Shuyao's bowl.
Jiang Shuyao gave up and could only say, "Don't just pick up the meat. Let me get some vegetables."
Xie Xun suddenly used public chopsticks to pick up some food for Jiang Shuyao.
The mellow tenderness of the lamb gradually dissolved into the soup, infusing the clear, rich broth with fragrant, savory, and fresh flavors. The cabbage absorbed the umami of the meat, yet its taste remained refreshingly light, sweet, and delicious.
Tofu did the same, soaking up the savory soup. People had to eat carefully, mindful of the occasional splash of hot liquid. The vermicelli, soft and delicate, was enveloped in the sesame paste, quickly submerged by its richness. When lifted, it clung together, forming a thick, sticky lump that exuded the mouthwatering fragrance of sesame paste with every bite.
Everyone also discovered the deliciousness of vegetables. After eating lamb, they gradually began to eat vegetable dishes to clear their mouths.
Between the water mist, even if no one spoke, the action of picking up vegetables and the satisfying smile on everyone's face made the meal extremely lively.
The old madam sighed in her heart. Suddenly, she felt very emotional when she looked at her lively family.
At her age, certain things will not always be missed once they are let go. She continued to eat the dishes from the previous years that her maid served, but her appetite improved a lot in the lively atmosphere.
While she was lowering her head to eat, suddenly, a pair of chopsticks caught a steaming lamb and placed it into the sesame sauce plate in front of her.
The old madam was taken aback and looked sideways at Duke Xie.
"Eat some. It tastes good." Duke Xie retracted his chopsticks and stopped looking at her.
The old madam stared at the lamb in a daze. Finally, she put the lamb into her mouth.
The lamb was rich and tender, plump yet not greasy, melting in the mouth. Despite being wrapped in cold sesame paste, it retained its warmth. The delicate milky fragrance mingled with the juices absorbed by the lamb, gushing out with each bite. It was a perfect balance of savory and salty, and though the soup was thin, its deep, lingering aroma filled the senses.
As the lamb slid down her throat, accompanied by the sesame sauce, it was only a small bite, but the warmth spread throughout her entire body.
The old madam shook her head, chuckled lightly, and looked at the people around the table through the lingering mist.
The elegant Xu-shi, stood up and wiped the sauce on the corners of the twin's mouths. Xie Pei accused Xie Ye of picking her tofu. Xie Hao, who swept the mutton with a black face, thanked Xie Li for grabbing more for him. Xie Xun, who kept placing vegetables in Jiang Shuyao's bowl...
For the first time in decades, she discovered that New Year's Eve could also be so warm and lively.
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