Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 58
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 58: Hand-Cut Noodles
Just as Xie Xun thought, sealing her small kitchen had little effect on Jiang Shuyao.
She told Zhou-shi that she wanted to borrow the second branch's small kitchen to make lunch, and Zhou-shi didn't think anything was wrong with it. Besides, she was interested and wanted to come to the small kitchen to watch the excitement.
Jiang Shuyao planned to make hand-cut noodles today.
She uncovered the damp cloth covering the dough that had been prepared before and removed it. Kneading the noodles well is essential for making a bowl of fragrant and chewy noodles.
It was the first time that Zhou-shi had seen someone knead dough. She watched carefully while holding her crutches.
Kneading noodles required strength and patience. Jiang Shuyao kneaded the noodles unhurriedly, with a consistent rhythm and smooth movements. Under her hands, the dough became soft, uniform, and light.
Obviously, it was very monotonous and boring, but her smooth movements attracted Zhou-shi, and she gradually became fascinated.
One of her legs was injured, and she can only stand with one leg. After standing for a long time, inevitably, her leg will be sore. Even then, she still endures the pain and stands next to Jiang Shuyao while silently sighing, "You are really amazing."
Jiang Shuyao said with a smile, "It's just kneading a dough."
Seeing that the dough was nearly ready, Jiang Shuyao began shaping it. She picked up the arc-shaped cutter, holding the dough with her left hand while gripping the knife in her right. With a swift, fluid motion of her wrist, the tip of the knife sliced through the dough, each piece falling away like leaves caught in a breeze. The bright white arcs of dough seemed to dance through the air, each piece neatly following the other as they tumbled into the pot.
The boiling water in the pot swirled, creating a mesmerizing whirlpool of noodles. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
Zhou-shi's eyes sparkled with admiration, and she couldn’t help but praise, "Third sister-in-law, I didn't expect you to be so skilled at swordsmanship."
"What kind of swordsmanship is this? It's just knife technique," Jiang Shuyao said with a laugh, amused by the comparison.
Zhou-shi, however, wasn’t bothered by the distinction. Watching Jiang Shuyao skillfully cut the noodles, the knife moving in blurred, graceful arcs with such neat precision, a sense of longing stirred within her.
Unable to resist, she said, "Can you let me try?"
Jiang Shuyao paused and turned her head to see Zhou-shi, eager to try with an agitated expression. She hesitantly handed the knife to her.
Zhou-shi took the knife and stood limping in front of the stone, leaning her crutches against her armpits and holding up the dough.
"Be careful, don't hurt yourself," she reminded.
Zhou-shi hadn't had such a great interest in foreign objects for a long time. At this time, she was full of interest. Hearing Jiang Shuyao's reminder, she showed a somewhat ostentatious gesture, raised her eyebrows, and smiled, "This knife can hurt me?"
As she said, she made a fancy movement. The knife quickly spun out of her palm. With a flick of her wrist, the spinning blade immediately stopped, and she happened to hold the handle of the knife.
Jiang Shuyao rarely saw her with such a vivid appearance. She was infected by her childishness, raised her hands, and applauded, "Awesome."
Zhou-shi smiled more happily. She weighed the dough on her hand to feel it, lifted the knife, and started to cut the noodles.
Jiang Shuyao was originally just playing around with Zhou-shi and didn't think she could get started right away. After all, cutting noodles requires a lot of practice to make it perfect. As a result, she was immediately dumbfounded when Zhou-shi took the knife.
Zhou-shi's speed was faster than her own, and the white hand-cut noodles flew down in a line. Her strength is even, and the knife is stable. Generally, only skilled chefs can have this skill.
Zhou-shi finished cutting the dough and clapped her hands, "How is it?"
Jiang Shuyao swallowed her saliva and said, "Second sister-in-law, you are amazing."
Zhou-shi triumphantly said, "Using a knife is my unique skill. When I killed a barbarian for the first time, I used a knife—"
Speaking of this, she immediately stopped and looked at Jiang Shuyao nervously.
But Jiang Shuyao did not show the disgust and dismay as she imagined. Instead, she blinked and looked at her, very curious, "Was it before? Second sister-in-law, you have to tell me when I finish the noodles. We will talk while eating."
Zhou-shi was stunned and saw Jiang Shuyao's clear eyes.
At that moment, she suddenly felt a sense of openness. Her restlessness, low self-esteem and panic all disappeared under Jiang Shuyao's benevolent eyes.
She burst into a bright and hearty smile, nodded, and said, "Okay!"
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There are many toppings for hand-cut noodles, ranging from savory meat sauce and sour soup to eggplant and minced meat, in contrast to the usual broths often paired with regular noodles.
Today, Jiang Shuyao prepared the simplest of pork sauce. The vibrant red sauce glistened with a light layer of red oil, and the bean paste carried a rich, fragrant aroma. The minced pork, finely chopped, was heaped up in the stew.
She ladled a generous spoonful of steaming broth over the snow-white cut noodles, which absorbed the red oil, the soup rich yet not too thick. After sprinkling fresh green onions and cilantro on top, she set the bowl of noodles neatly on the table.
The sliced noodles, shaped like delicate willow leaves, were smooth and tender on the outside, yet thick and chewy on the inside. As they soaked in the soup, they absorbed its fragrance, blending seamlessly with the rich aroma of the broth.
The minced meat sauce and the noodles intertwined, and when stirred, they made a satisfying, sticky sound. The heat caused the sauce's aroma to rise and fill the air, instantly stirring hunger in the stomach. The desire for a comforting, warm bowl of these meat-laden hand-cut noodles became irresistible.
Because she had also participated in making the noodles, Zhou-shi found them even more fragrant. She lowered her head and lifted a strand of noodles, the heat flushing her face as the salty aroma filled her nostrils.
The hand-cut noodles, the width of delicate willow leaves, tangled together as they were lifted. Once they entered her mouth, the rich, savory flavor instantly spread, enveloping every corner of her senses. The salty and spicy taste of the bean paste, the umami of the broth, and the fragrance of the noodles all melded together, creating a taste that was nothing short of happiness.
The cut noodles were slippery on the outside yet soft on the inside, tender without being sticky, and wonderfully chewy.
As she slowly chewed, the delightful taste of the noodles blended with the distinct, equally chewy diced meat. With each bite, the richness of the sauce became more pronounced, its fragrance filling her mouth and lingering on her cheeks.
After the first bite, she couldn’t stop. Each chopstickful was loaded with both soup and meat sauce, allowing her to fully savor the satisfying chewiness of the noodles with every mouthful.
Zhou-shi comfortably and happily. After eating, she had forgotten all her troubles and worries. She just wants to go limp and sleep comfortably under the sun.
She suddenly understood Jiang Shuyao's peaceful and casual temperament. If she could also cook with this skill, she would happily cook and eat every day. She would not only feel the satisfaction of cooking by herself but also taste the food. It is happiness. How can she worry about this and that all day long?
Thinking of this, she was agitated, slapped the table, blurted out, "Sister, what do you think of me!"
Jiang Shuyao was wiping her mouth and was startled by her shouting. She raised her head to face Zhou-shi's bright and piercing eyes and stammered, "Wh–What?"
"Me, what do you think of me!"
Jiang Shuyao didn't understand and replied stupidly, "Uh, second sister-in-law, you are very good, you have a good skill, you are righteous, and you look good--"
Zhou was stunned by her praise, interrupting her uncomfortably to pull her back to the topic. She exuded an aura of excitement all over, "What? What are you saying? I said, look at me. Am I cook material? How about I learn to cook with you?"
Jiang Shuyao finally reacted and said, "Of course, if you want to learn, I will naturally teach you."
Seeing her promise, Zhou-shi was so happy. If it wasn’t for her limping leg, she would definitely rush over, pick Jiang Shuyao and spin her in a circle.
She couldn't wait to pull Jiang Shuyao into the kitchen immediately, playing all kinds of kitchen knife routines all over the place. This battle made Jiang Shuyao have to find an excuse to escape, um... the excited second sister-in-law is a bit dangerous.
So Jiang Shuyao just went to the second branch to make a meal, but she ended up returning with an apprentice.
Due to Zhou-shi's excitement, Jiang Shuyao couldn't stand it anymore. She didn't dare to cook at her place at night, so she could only eat dinner prepared by the main kitchen.
After Xie Xun returned, he saw the familiar food on the table. He drooped his shoulders languidly.
After he was happy for dozens of days, he was beaten back to the days before getting married.
Jiang Shuyao was not picky and ate her food as usual. But unlike her, Xie Xun used his chopsticks perfunctorily then stopped.
Thinking of tomorrow's delicious lunch gone, he was even more depressed and had no appetite.
The old madam sent someone to seal up the kitchen and also left a maid to stay in the third branch to use this opportunity to clean up the messy third branch's atmosphere.
If it were the former Xie Xun, he would be very happy. After all, he liked a peaceful atmosphere, and he is very disciplined. But now, he is not used to it. The cats fluttering in the corner are gone, the little maids frolicking under the corner are gone, and Jiang Shuyao's special patio chair in the courtyard is gone...
On the contrary, Jiang Shuyao adapted well and spent time reading miscellaneous books in the east wing.
Xie Xun entered the east wing sullenly and saw Jiang Shuyao's leisurely and peaceful appearance. Then, he walked out grumpily, wandering around Duke Xie's mansion.
However, Jiang Shuyao had developed the habit of eating casually for dinner and eating supper. When it was supper time, she was habitually hungry.
She drank a few cups of water to pad her belly and became hungry as she swallowed.
She wanted to fill her stomach with some pastries, but she was not interested in sweet or greasy pastries.
When people were greedy, they panicked. Jiang Shuyao walked out of the house and unknowingly walked near the main kitchen.
Usually, she just tossed around in her yard to eat supper, and no one could control her. But now, she accepted the penalty and said she would seal her kitchen. If she went to the main kitchen and still tossed around, even if the old madam didn't blame her, she herself didn't have that face.
She looked at the locked main kitchen and planned to leave, but the more she thought about supper, the more greedy and greedy she became. Taking advantage of the dim moonlight, she avoided the passersby and quietly opened the main kitchen's window.
Obviously, it was just a supper, but she felt a guilty conscience.
Duke Xie's Mansion rules are strict, and there will be no one stealing food. So the cook in the main kitchen just locked the door perfunctorily and did not lock the windows.
Jiang Shuyao opened the window and struggled to jump on the sill.
After she returned to the ground, she patted the dust on her cuffs. But when she was about to light a candle, she heard a noise from behind her.
She was taken aback and tried to hide in a panic, but before she could escape, the window suddenly opened.
Moonlight leaked inside, illuminating Jiang Shuyao's vision, allowing her to see clearly the appearance of the person standing outside the window.
On a quiet night, in the main kitchen barely illuminated by moonlight, Jiang Shuyao inside and Xie Xun outside the window faced each other. The air fell into an awkward silence.
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