Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 59
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 59: Grilled Lamb Skewers
Xie Xun stood awkwardly at the window, wondering if he should come in.
Jiang Shuyao took the lead in breaking the silence. She lowered her voice and said, "Come in first, don't be seen by anyone."
Xie Xun felt that what she said made sense. He hurriedly leaped on the windowsill.
After landing, he suddenly realized that this action was really indecent. Before he could turn around and close the window, he suddenly heard the sound of dialogue outside.
"Hong Xing, do you see if the main kitchen's window is open?"
The maid's voice was vague, "It seems to be, eh."
Jiang Shuyao and Xie Xun were shocked at the same time. They squatted down in a tacit understanding.
Jiang Shuyao squatted and moved to the corner, waving frantically to Xie Xun.
Xie Xun originally squatted down as a subconscious reaction, but he didn't intend to do so. Seeing Jiang Shuyao like this, he was too embarrassed to stand up and walk around, so he had to endure the shame and crab walk to the corner.
The two little maids' voices gradually increased, and they walked to the window and closed it, murmuring that they would complain to the steward tomorrow.
After the voices became more and more distant, Xie Xun stood up and walked towards Jiang Shuyao.
"Have you found food?" He looked through the surrounding, which was lit by the moonlight and ready to light the kitchen lantern.
Jiang Shuyao stopped him, "You can't light the lamp. If it's too bright, people outside could see us."
Xie Xun, who had no experience of being stealthy, took out a candle in the lantern, lit it with flint, covered the candlelight, and came to Jiang Shuyao.
Jiang Shuyao's eyesight in the darkness is very good. She has found the food that was cooled in the water tank and was thinking about what to eat.
Xie Xun took the candle over to light her.
"What to eat?" he asked.
Jiang Shuyao said, "The main kitchen has noodles and rice. Do you have anything you want to eat?"
He came to the kitchen at this time. Rather than being hungry, it is more likely that he is greedy.
Xie Xun didn't want to eat noodles or porridge. He just wanted to eat some food to relieve hunger.
Looking at his slightly changing expression, Jiang Shuyao magically understood his thoughts.
The two were in silent agreement. For Jiang Shuyao, supper was a guilty indulgence—like a bowl of instant noodles and rice cakes at midnight, both unhealthy and laden with regret.
"Then, let's eat skewers."
She took out a piece of mutton and simply marinated it. Then she asked Xie Xun, "Look for something that can be used as a skewer."
Xie Xun left the candles, searched around in the kitchen, and asked in a low voice, "How about using long chopsticks?"
"If you can split it, it's fine."
Xie Xun took back the long chopsticks and a kitchen knife. Jiang Shuyao was frightened, "Don't cut your hand."
Xie Xun was speechless and gave her a look of "Am I so weak in your heart?"
He used a precise force and used the knife quickly and fiercely, splitting the chopsticks into evenly thin pieces.
Jiang Shuyao touched the thin skewers, the section was smooth, and there were almost no burrs.
"Wow, that would do." She praised.
Xie Xun was a little proud, and the corners of his mouth curled up triumphantly. Although he didn't know what he was proud of.
The mutton was almost fully marinated, and Jiang Shuyao began to skewer them. Lamb skewers require a combination of fat and lean meat. The mutton and fat are interspersed with skewers, usually three meat and one fat.
After stringing, Jiang Shuyao squatted down and lit the firewood.
Xie Xun also squatted down to help. He took a small handful of hay and lit it. The flames lit up, instantly illuminating the entire kitchen.
Jiang Shuyao quickly pinched his wrist and took over the stove. She was squeezing her breath and said, "It's too bright, be careful."
Xie Xun let go and whispered, "Why do I feel like a thief?"
Jiang Shuyao, "...Aren't we?"
Xie Xun, "... It makes sense."
Once the charcoal was fully ignited, the stove glowed with a warm red hue. Jiang Shuyao gripped the mutton skewers in both hands, carefully grilling them over the glowing embers. As the skewers sizzled and the oily smoke began to rise, she turned to Xie Xun, instructing him to fan the fire, ensuring a high temperature while avoiding the black smoke from the open flames.
After a while, the savory scent filled the air. Jiang Shuyao held the mutton skewers, continuously turning them, occasionally overlapping and shaking them to ensure that each piece of meat was perfectly roasted.
The lamb skewers didn’t require anything elaborate in terms of seasoning—just salt, cumin, and chili powder were enough to bring out the flavors. Unfortunately, her chili powder was stored away in the sealed small kitchen, meaning today’s skewers would be without that spicy kick.
She folded the lamb skewers, sprinkled them with fine salt, and pressed them against each other a few times. When the mutton is heated, the aroma of cumin is quickly released. Even when the lamb skewers were grilled until they were unscorched, the cumin had a strong scent, crackling with oil that was still emerging.
The mutton skewers were perfectly browned on the surface, glistening with a sheen and generously coated in cumin. The mutton fat had turned translucent, the irregular pieces of meat skewered together in a tempting display. The rich brown-red of the meat mixed beautifully with the crystal-clear oil, creating a mouthwatering sight.
Jiang Shuyao handed half of the skewers to Xie Xun, who eagerly took them.
The skewers were free of any lingering gamey scent, replaced instead by the rich aroma of oil and cumin. The edges of the mutton were slightly charred, adding an irresistible hint of smoky flavor that perfectly complemented the grilled perfection.
Blowing on the skewers only seemed to intensify the lingering aroma in his nose, failing to cool the meat at all. Xie Xun, however, was beyond caring. He took a bite of the mutton, tearing the meat off the skewer with a satisfying pull. As he bit into it, he inhaled deeply, savoring the flavor as he chewed.
The mutton was fresh and delicious, the high heat of the grill giving the exterior a slightly crispy texture that locked in all the juices. Each bite was tender and succulent, while the cumin had completely erased any trace of mutton’s usual scent, leaving behind only a lingering, savory aftertaste that beckoned for more.
The mutton fat had shriveled and roasted to perfection, with the rich oil flowing down the skewers, infusing the lean meat with a savory, greasy fragrance. The edges were slightly charred, while the inside remained full of juicy, flavorful gravy—an irresistible sight that stirred immediate hunger.
He sank his teeth into the fragrant, juicy lean meat before pulling a piece of mutton fat into his mouth. As he bit through the slightly crispy skin, the mutton oil burst open, releasing its rich, savory aroma that immediately filled his mouth with a luxurious, satisfying flavor.
He alternated between bites of tender lean meat and succulent fat, greedily stuffing his mouth, savoring the contrast between the soft, juicy meat and the crispy, melt-in-your-mouth fat. The salty, savory flavor was rich, almost overwhelming with its deliciousness.
“If only we had chili powder, it would be even better,” Jiang Shuyao remarked, her voice tinged with longing. “A generous sprinkle of chili, eaten while the lamb skewers are still sizzling, with the cumin so fragrant and the heat of the spice—it’s the kind of flavor you can’t stop craving.”
Xie Xun’s appetite was stirred by her words, and as he chewed, he couldn’t help but imagine the fiery taste of spicy lamb skewers.
"How about we bring chili powder for tomorrow's meal?" he suggested.
Jiang Shuyao blew gently on the skewer and said, "The chili powder is locked in the small kitchen."
"Then just go through the window," Xie Xun suggested.
"When the small kitchen is closed, the windows open inward, not outward like in the main kitchen," she explained.
Xie Xun paused to think for a moment before replying, "I’ll head back later and see if I can pry it open. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try getting in from the roof."
When Jiang Shuyao imagined him prying open the window, a wave of guilt washed over her. She couldn't help but feel that a good boy had been led astray by her.
"Then, when you go for the chili powder, don’t forget to take the condiment box I placed next to the sauce jar and the bag of breadcrumbs next to it..." she added.
Xie Xun nodded, mentally noting everything. The two of them ate until their mouths were greasy, then cleaned up their 'criminal evidence' with surprising efficiency. Finally, they opened the window, satisfaction evident in their smiles.
Jiang Shuyao sighed wistfully. "It would be even more refreshing with some wine to go with the skewers..."
Xie Xun shook his head. "You should drink less. No woman loves to drink." He didn’t mention how the last time Jiang Shuyao had gotten drunk, she’d cried for a while, leaving him worried and uneasy.
"No," Jiang Shuyao hummed in response.
Xie Xun and Jiang Shuyao returned to the yard, making sure no one was around before sneaking toward the small kitchen and slipping inside.
Xie Xun tried prying the lock for a while, but when that didn’t work, he simply stepped onto the large barrel nearby, leaped over the roof, and carefully lifted a tile to the side and dropped down into the kitchen.
Jiang Shuyao, watching him with a hint of surprise, muttered under her breath, "That’s it? Wow, he's quite talented."
＊
There was always an abundance of meat in the main kitchen, and no one would notice if a small piece of lamb went missing.
So, Jiang Shuyao and Xie Xun formed an unusual supper team and returned to the main kitchen the next day to grill again.
It might have been a secretive affair, but they simply saw it as an impromptu picnic, a small indulgence in the quiet of the night.
Xie Xun now found great comfort in the late-night suppers, and no longer complained about the monotony of lunch and dinner.
However, Lin Cheng’s complaints grew louder with each passing day. He sighed as soon as it was lunch. Xie Xun also looked forward to the release of their small kitchen.
After Jiang Shuyao had Xie Xun bring out her condiments, she became less concerned about the small kitchen's locked door. After all, she could always cook at Zhou-shi's.
During the day, she would visit the second branch early and wouldn’t return until dinnertime.
Now, sitting at the table, Jiang Shuyao unfolded the letter that Lin-shi had handed over.
Though Lin-shi was pregnant, she had no intention of staying idle in the mansion. She was constantly overseeing the storefronts, selecting farmland, and managing other matters. As Jiang Shuyao read the enthusiasm evident in her letter, she couldn’t help but feel a little dumbfounded. Lin-shi truly had a deep passion for business.
Zhou-shi came over with a cane, saw Jiang Shuyao's soft expression, and asked, "A letter from Mrs. Xiangyang?"
Jiang Shuyao nodded, "She's recently thinking about opening another restaurant and running around the city all day."
From time to time, Jiang Shuyao will reveal some novel business ideas in the letter, such as chain stores, snack streets, etc. Lin-shi was very interested in hearing this. It didn't take long for her to buy pavements and streets, and she wished to take a bold step and develop the food industry.
Lin-shi was so enthusiastic that the words in the letter were full of excitement.
After reading the letter, she put it on the table. Zhou-shi is sitting next to her, and Lin-shi's cool and scribbled font attracted her eyes. After a few more glances, she was subconsciously attracted by the content of the letter.
She doesn't understand these things about doing business and buying land, but she can feel the writer's excitement. The feeling of passion and fighting spirit about one thing was incomprehensible for her.
She thought about it carefully. In her life, she might only have this feeling when she practiced martial arts at her early age. Later, as the years grew older, she suffered a lot. She also put down her sword and lived in a muddle-headed manner. She couldn't even find a single thing she liked.
She retracted her gaze and held her chin in a daze.
Thinking of the person in the letter's energetic appearance when doing business, she subconsciously compared herself with Lin-shi.
Some things were destined to change, and some things were out of control after the comparison. Some thoughts vaguely emerged from the heart after years of confusion, just like a young seedling breaking through the soil, bringing a little seemingly tiny green vitality to the desolation.
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