Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 68
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 68: Ham, Cartilage, and Tofu Skin
Xie Ye and Xie Hao looked at each other and asked the maid standing at the courtyard gate, "Is mother in this courtyard?"
The maid nodded.
Xie Ye was silent for a moment and said, "Go inside and tell the lady that we have returned home."
The maid went into the courtyard to pass the words.
The two brothers were still young, caught in a phase of curiosity about everything around them. With Xu-shi staying at the third branch with their two younger brothers, their minds inevitably conjured up all sorts of dramatic scenarios—fights, entanglements, and fierce family disputes. They never imagined that Xu-shi was merely enjoying skewers in the third branch and had simply lost track of time.
When a maid entered the yard to deliver the news, Xu-shi finally realized her oversight. She quickly bit off the remaining meat from her skewer, wiped the corners of her mouth, and hurried out.
As everyone knew, Xu-shi was the epitome of dignity and virtue, and she had always upheld the rules and etiquette expected of her.
So Xu-shi rushed out with her face covered behind her sleeve, still chewing, Xie Ye and Xie Hao were left stunned, their jaws almost dropping in unison.
Once outside the courtyard, Xu-shi regained her composure and asked her two bewildered sons, "What are you doing here?"
Xie Ye watched in awe as Xu-shi finally swallowed the last of the fried skewers and transformed back into her usual dignified and gentle self. He stuttered, "We returned home and heard that you had come to the third branch. When you didn't come back after a long time, we thought we'd come over to check on you."
In reality, Xie Ye's primary concern was that Xu-shi and their two younger brothers might have gotten into a dispute with the third branch, prompting him to investigate.
Xu-shi nodded and said, "Let's go, go back."
Xie Hao couldn't help being curious and followed Xu-shi's pace, "Mother, what did you do in there just now? Where are Ah Zhao and Ah Yao?"
Xu-shi walked with a steady pace, her posture and manner impeccable as she softly explained, "Ah Zhao and Ah Yao wanted to come to the third branch to play, so I sent them over."
Xie Hao raised an eyebrow, thinking the two little ones were simply there to see Xie Xun. He remarked, "Mother, you’re being a bit indulgent. It's mealtime now; it seems odd to send them over just to find their third uncle."
Xu-shi paused for a moment, taken aback. "It's just a meal," she replied, a hint of embarrassment crossing her face. "The little ones are quite fond of their third aunt's cooking. I couldn't help but trouble third sister-in-law."
Xie Ye and Xie Hao were taken aback, momentarily unable to respond as they struggled to believe what they had just heard. In just three months, Xu-shi had transformed dramatically. Her face, once masked in gentleness, now appeared more vibrant. With a lively smile, she candidly added, "Not just them; I’m greedy for it too."
The weight of her words was staggering. Both brothers halted in their tracks, standing motionless and bewildered.
Xu-shi turned her head, "What's the matter?"
As Xie Ye and Xie Hao remained speechless in shock, their thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a loud voice.
Xie Li approached with a serious expression, his brow furrowed. "Madam."
Xu-shi turned her head and said in surprise, "Husband, what brings you here?"
Today, with their eldest and second sons returning to the household, Xie Li had finished his duties and quickly made his way back to the yard. However, upon arrival, he found that neither his wife nor his two younger sons were in sight. When he inquired with a maid, he learned that even their two elder sons were absent—they had all gone to the third branch!
This situation struck Xie Li as peculiar. He surmised that his third sister-in-law must be experimenting with a new dish again. In the past, she had often invited the first branch to sample her culinary creations. Was it possible she needed more taste-testers once more?
Xie Li was well aware of the Lin Family's food business and knew that Jiang Shuyao typically sought out individuals to try her recipes after developing something new. Externally, he reasoned that as a family member, he certainly should offer his support in tasting her innovative dishes. But inwardly, he thought: bahahaha.
Xie Li rushed to the third room, hoping to catch up with dinner. With an anxious face and hurried footsteps, he looked like he was seeking revenge. The maids on the road lowered their heads and avoided him for fear of being sprayed with anger by the famous living Hades of the supreme court.
Xie Li hurriedly rushed to the third branch, but seeing that they had all come out, his whole heart was like a balloon pierced by a needle. He was immediately discouraged, "It's okay, I just came over to take a look."
Xu-shi felt that something was strange, but she couldn't guess it.
At this moment, a little maid came from behind, holding a tray in her hand, and saluting after seeing Xu-shi, "Madam, a third branch's maid asked this slave maid to send some fried skewers to the first branch, saying that it was for both of the young masters to have a taste."
Xu-shi's heart suddenly became so soft that she said, "My sister-in-law is really..." How can she be so considerate? She cares about them too much.
She paused and looked up at her two sons, who looked at the fried skewers in a daze, and said, "You come back with me to thank your third aunt."
"This—" The two did not want to see Jiang Shuyao because they were really afraid of that woman. After all, she and the princess had scared a group of men until they fell into the water. Fortunately, they were young at that time and barely escaped.
Xu-shi had already treated Jiang Shuyao as a relative and wanted everyone to praise her good sister. So despite the two people's hesitation, she led her two sons back to the third branch, and there was one more silent tail with his big beard behind her.
Jiang Shuyao prepared a lot of deep-fried skewers, so she and Zhou-shi could not finish eating them all. Her kitchen also prepared white rice porridge and cold dishes. Even if her appetite was as big as Xie Xun's, they wouldn't be able to clean it up.
While she was worried about how to solve the remaining skewers, the maid reported that Xu-shi had returned again, with the eldest master and the two young masters.
Jiang Shuyao was happy, "Let them in quickly."
A group of people from the first branch entered the yard. As soon as they came in, the spicy aroma in the yard suddenly made them feel energetic.
Xie Li touched his beard, took a deep breath, and sighed, "The craftsmanship of third sister-in-law is now more refined."
Xie Ye and Xie Hao ears are standing up, and they stared at Xie Li——
No way, dad. How come you, with your big eyebrows and big eyes, betrayed the revolution? When Miss Jiang was going to marry third uncle, you were sighing all day long.
Xie Ye and Xie Hao looked at each other, and they couldn't believe it. What kind of food in the world could make their dignified mother, their rigid and serious father, and the two younger brothers who didn't like anyone, give in one after another!
Seeing so many people coming, Jiang Shuyao, who likes liveliness, smiled and said hello, "Sister-in-law, eldest brother."
Xie Li quickly said, "Good sister, good sister." His words were so gentle that Xie Ye and Xie Hao suspected that a demon possessed their father.
Xu-shi turned her head to her two staring sons and said, "Will you not greet your third aunt?"
The two of them were frightened by the atmosphere inside the yard. Regardless of what thoughts were thought before they came, they all converged at this moment and respectfully greeted Jiang Shuyao.
Jiang Shuyao responded with a smile and then warmly welcomed them, "I happened to make many fried skewers. Would you like to try them?"
Xie Ye said again respectfully, "Thank you for the kindness of the third aunt, this—"
Before he finished speaking, he was suddenly squeezed away by his father. Xie Li's face was stern, and his tone was as serious as ever, "Very good, very good."
Zhou-shi stood next to Jiang Shuyao, and she had learned Xu-shi's standard gentle smile, "The fried skewers made today are very delicious. You are in luck." She actually looked like a good wife and mother.
Xie Ye and Xie Hao blinked. No, it's impossible. Did they see wrong?
Where did that mean and ruthless second aunt who usually gave no one any face?
Their mother had changed, their father had changed, even the second aunt had changed. What is going on!
It must be their posture when entering the house today!
When their minds were messy in the wind, Xie Li had already sat at the table.
Seeing the two bowls of rich sauce, he swallowed silently.
"Big brother, bean curd skewer?"
Xie Li nodded.
Jiang Shuyao lifted the drained skewers from the iron rack and arranged them neatly on a plate. She dipped her brush into the dipping sauce and swept it across the soft yellow tofu skins, coating them with the salty-sweet, translucent glaze. Then, she flipped the skewers and brushed on a layer of hot sauce, the vibrant colors making the dish utterly irresistible.
Once she finished applying the sauce, she handed the skewers to Xie Li, who gratefully accepted them. His anticipation was palpable as he brought the delicious creation to his mouth. The tofu was rolled into a slender cylinder with fragrant leeks nestled inside, perfectly sized for a single bite.
As soon as the skewer entered his mouth, a potent wave of spiciness washed over his entire mouth, leaving no escape. The perfectly fried tofu skin was a delight, its edges crisped to perfection and its surface speckled with tiny bubbles that hinted at its golden interior. The texture was sublime, with a delicate balance of crunch and mellow flavor that wasn't weighed down by excess moisture, and still retained the tender chewiness of the original tofu skin.
The leeks inside, on the other hand, had transformed into a soft, crumpled delight, their special aroma wafting through the air. Cooked to perfection, they were both crunchy and sweet, their delicate flavors adding a delightful contrast to the bold spiciness of the sauce. The sauce itself, applied with just the right touch, elevated the entire dish to new heights, combining salty and spicy notes in perfect harmony.
Xie Li was struck mute by the sheer flavor and complexity of the dish. For a moment, words simply failed him, and all he could manage to eke out was a single, heartfelt phrase: "This tastes wonderful." But that small admission was all it took to break his reserve, and soon he was taking another bite, and another, lost in the pure sensory delight of the skewer.
Jiang Shuyao picked up two skewers of cartilage, brushed them with a generous layer of sauce, and offered them to the two brothers standing nearby, still reeling from the flavors they had just experienced. "How about a taste?" she asked with a smile.
Caught in a daze, the brothers took the skewers, stammering, "Thank you, Third Aunt."
The bamboo skewers still radiated warmth, and as they brought them closer to their faces, the sauce gleamed in the light, vibrant and inviting. The fried meat skewers had a charm all their own. They weren't the kind that had been slowly marinated over time, nor did they carry the smoky essence of charcoal grilling. Instead, the frying technique locked in the tender moisture of the meat, infusing it with a slightly charred aroma. The surface boasted a luscious red-brown hue, glistening with a shiny, crisp skin that offered a perfect contrast to the juicy interior beneath, without a trace of burnt parts.
It was their first experience with cartilage, a stark departure from the carefully prepared meals they were accustomed to, where the meat was always meticulously cooked and chopped to avoid straining their noble teeth. So, when their teeth sank into the bone, both were taken aback by the unexpected texture.
The cartilage was a delightful combination of softness and firmness, and once dipped in the rich sauce infused with cumin and chili powder, it offered an exhilarating spicy kick. The crunchy texture of the bones was surprisingly easy to chew, providing a satisfying resistance that ended in a delightful "click-click" sound as they broke apart. This sensation proved to be utterly addictive, and after the first bite, their mouths were filled with the crisp symphony of crunching, each bite igniting their taste buds with excitement.
When the cartilage and meat are chewed together, they are soft and crispy, tender and hard. The taste does not lose the richness at all. It has the freshness of the meat and the fragrance of the sauce. Every bite is enjoyable.
The maids happened to bring tea, and they quickly took a cup and poured it into their mouths. The refreshing tea removed the fried skewers' greasiness, leaving only the endless aftertaste in their mouths for a long time, which was really a torture.
After Xie Ye and Xie Hao were silent after eating the cartilage, they glanced and saw their two younger brothers sitting not far away.
Xie Zhao and Xie Yao found two high stools and sat beside them. Their short legs could not reach the ground. Each of them held a fried ham sausage in their hands. They were very reluctant and only took small bites because Jiang Shuyao said they could not eat anymore.
Xie Ye and Xie Hao heard the sound of their own drooling. Obviously, they had no appetite when they came, but at this moment, they were even greedy for the skewers in their younger brothers' hands.
Xie Zhao felt their gaze, raised his head, and happened to hit their sight. He held up the fried skewers like a treasure and smiled at them, "Big brother and second brother, ham!"
The two of them blushed and quickly turned their eyes.
Jiang Shuyao heard it and brushed two ham skewers for them, "This is specially made for children. It should suit your taste. After all, all children like it."
Children? She was only two or three years older than us, okay? We were there when she molested those handsome boys.
The two young men muffled but took the fried ham with their uncontrollable hands.
The ham skewer was a vibrant red, tender and inviting. It had been expertly sliced to unfurl like blooming flowers after frying. The outer layer had taken on a slightly charred hue, while the inside remained succulent and soft. The deep-fried exterior had shrunk into a delicate, crisp shell that contrasted dramatically with the tender meat nestled within. The addition of starch lent the ham a wonderfully soft and creamy texture, melting in their mouths with each bite.
Alas, kids will always be kids—they couldn’t resist the allure of ham sausages.
As they devoured the ham, their minds wandered to a conversation they'd had with their college classmates about the infamous incident involving their third aunt—how she had allegedly molested handsome boys until they fell into the water. They made a mental note to defend her next time the topic came up.
After all, anyone capable of crafting such delectable dishes must possess a heart as generous as that of seven fairies. Perhaps there was more to that scandalous story than met the eye... But still, they couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt for their gluttony. Yet who could possibly resist such temptations?
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