Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 91
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure and CitrusP
Chapter 91: Duck Congee
Regarding Xie Xun's uncontrollable reaction last time, both of them pretended that it didn't happen. In the next few days, Jiang Shuyao would accompany Xie Xun to rest intermittently, but in the evening, in order to avoid embarrassing Xie Xun, she went directly to sleep in the outer room, where Bai Zhi usually sleeps.
She did this for Xie Xun, but for him, it was a punishment. He thought that he offended her and she was unwilling to accompany him inside the room.
Xie Xun could not get out of bed these days because he was recuperating, so he could only spend his time reading. But after "that" happened, he could no longer read the book purely.
When Jiang Shuyao came in, she saw him holding the book in a daze.
After all, Xie Xun was a young and healthy man. It was normal that he was unable to control his body. Although Jiang Shuyao was shy, she did not take it to heart.
"Your book fell down," she said.
Xie Xun returned to his senses and quickly turned the book upside down. When he looked again, the words were actually upside down.
Jiang Shuyao was amused and walked over to sit down beside him, "You have been lying in the room for a few days. Are you bored?"
Xie Xun put the book next to his pillow, pretending to be calm, "Yes, but my injury is much better. I guess I can get out of bed in a few days."
"How can it be so fast? When second sister-in-law injured her leg before, she made a fuss to get out of bed the next day. She should be able to heal her injury in more than a month if she lay down, but she ended up having to stay on crutches for more than two months."
In order to maintain his demeanor, Xie Xun would never allow himself to use crutches like Zhou-shi, so he could only say, "Then I will rest well."
Jiang Shuyao brought him the slightly cooled medicinal soup, "Drink the medicine."
Every day, when it was time to take medicine, Xie Xun was ashamed and embarrassed, but Jiang Shuyao seemed okay.
After feeding the medicine, Jiang Shuyao gave him clean water to rinse his mouth and asked, "How about drinking white porridge at noon, with some pickled radish?"
Jiang Shuyao's craftsmanship was very good. Even pickled radish can also be made delicious. It was crispy and appetizing. The salty and fresh pickles reveal a mixed sweet and bitter aftertaste. If it was eaten for breakfast or supper, it was light and just perfect for porridge. But Xie Xun really couldn't eat this for three meals a day.
He said silently, "I want to eat bacon."
Of course, Jiang Shuyao rejected this request and walked back to the table while flipping through her letters and said, "What kind of patient eats bacon? You must eat something light to nourish your stomach."
If it were normal, Xie Xun wouldn't speak, but after experiencing "the incident" the day before, Xie Xun felt like he was unwilling to give up. He protested in a low voice, "But...I want to eat bacon."
Jiang Shuyao looked back at him. How come he had a child's temperament when healing his wounds?
"No," she said decisively.
Xie Xun said nothing, silently lifting the book, his brow furrowed in quiet frustration as he continued to read.
This had become the rhythm of their days. Xie Xun would spend his time in bed, immersed in his book, while Jiang Shuyao sat at the table, her focus absorbed by the piles of business letters before her.
Outside the window, the birds chirped cheerfully, and the leaves rustled in the soft breeze, the gentle sounds of nature filling the stillness of the room.
After Jiang Shuyao dealt with important things, she stretched out her body. Before she managed to pick up her charcoal pencil, she heard a faint voice from behind, "...I want to eat bacon."
She turned her head and looked at Xie Xun speechlessly.
Xie Xun's eyes carried a pleading look. "Eating a little meat is fine." He was starving, his appetite as big as a cow’s. After running errands for a month without a proper meal, he had been surviving on porridge every day since his return—how could he endure it? It wasn’t that he was greedy. If he were Lin Cheng, he’d probably be rolling on the ground by now, demanding meat.
Jiang Shuyao sighed helplessly. After a moment of thought, she relented. "Alright, I'll make you duck porridge."
When Zhou-shi entered the third branch’s courtyard, she was greeted by the mouthwatering scent of duck meat sizzling in the pan, the oil gently rendered over a low flame. The air was thick with the savory aroma, and beside it, a pot of duck broth simmered, its fragrance so fresh it made one’s mouth water.
"Huh?" Zhou-shi asked with curiosity as soon as she stepped inside. "Why are you making duck soup? Are we having duck soup with plain porridge for lunch?"
Jiang Shuyao smiled, shaking her head. "Not at all. It’s for making duck porridge with the duck soup."
"Duck porridge?" She leaned over and sniffed the savory taste of the duck soup. "When it's ready, give me a taste. If it tastes good, I will learn how to make it for Ah Sheng."
Zhou-shi and Xie Sheng had grown more and more harmonious in their interactions. One was careless, and the other was quiet and unpretentious. Over time, they had found an unspoken rhythm that suited them perfectly. Though they were not as close as a typical mother and daughter, they were able to spend hours together each day in peaceful silence, and that was enough to bring them contentment.
"Okay, this porridge is light and fragrant, perfect for children," Jiang Shuyao said, turning to look at Zhou-shi, who seemed to be gradually shedding her past. With a soft sigh, she added, "Second sister-in-law, you prepare meals for Ah Sheng every day with such care. With your efforts, I’m sure you and your daughter will only grow closer."
Zhou-shi froze for a moment before offering an embarrassed smile. "How could that be? I just make it casually. My cooking isn't that great, and I don't know many tricks."
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered her purpose for visiting and presented the jar she had been holding to Jiang Shuyao. "You taste the seasoning powder I ground. Is the ratio appropriate?"
Zhou-shi often found herself thinking about food and condiments, always seeking Jiang Shuyao's opinion first. It was a gesture born from her deep trust in her "Master."
Jiang Shuyao took a chopstick and dipped it in the condiment powder.
The seasoning powder was very salty, yet the salty taste couldn’t overpower the heat. The spiciness was fresh, sweet, and exceptionally strong—quite the perfect balance. It was clear that Zhou-shi had mastered her craft.
Jiang Shuyao had never met anyone with a higher tolerance for spice than Zhou-shi. From the first time she tasted it, she had become completely captivated by spiciness. Over time, her tolerance only grew, and now, whenever she asked Jiang Shuyao for advice or to learn new recipes, her primary interest was always Sichuan cuisine, which, in her words, was "so spicy."
So this spicy seasoning was the highlight. Jiang Shuyao was tasting the seasoning powder, and a thought suddenly popped into his mind, "Second sister, we can try to make spicy strips with this seasoning!"
"Spicy strip?" Zhou-shi was very interested when she heard this name, "How do we make it?"
Jiang Shuyao was busy making porridge for Xie Xun. She was unable to teach her by hand, so she could only tell her the method.
To make spicy strips, they needed gluten or soybean rolls, which was very time-consuming to make, and there was no need to worry about it at this time.
Zhou-shi brought paper and pen to write down the method and prepared to go back to her courtyard to try.
Halfway through, she was stopped by Jiang Shuyao, "Hey, don't you want to learn to make duck porridge?"
Zhou-shi hurriedly responded, "Ah! Look at my memory."
The duck meat simmered slowly in the pot, releasing a thin layer of golden duck fat that floated atop the clear, fragrant broth. As the rice was added, the heat was lowered, allowing the grains to slowly absorb the rich flavor of the duck soup, soaking up its sweetness and essence. Even if one were to eat just the rice, they would still taste the subtle richness of the duck.
Duck meat, lighter than pork, still retained its umami flavor—plump, sweet, fatty, yet never greasy. For Xie Xun, who had been subsisting on lighter meals and hadn’t had meat in a long time, this was more than enough to satiate his cravings and relieve his longing for a hearty dish.
To prepare duck porridge, it’s crucial to control the heat. Unlike regular rice porridge, it shouldn’t be too thick. The rice must retain its softness and elasticity, with the grains staying distinct and not overly soft. The result should be a smooth, sweet flavor, with the broth’s delicious essence seeping into each bite.
Once the porridge was ready, Jiang Shuyao added shredded ginger and green onions to cut through the richness, enhancing the dish with a refreshing contrast. Finally, she carefully placed the tender stewed duck meat atop the porridge, completing the meal with its savory, aromatic richness.
The method was not complicated. Zhou-shi wrote it down. After taking a spoon and tasting it, she exclaimed, "It is oily but not greasy, sweet and tender. Duck porridge can be sold in the street food market, and it is also good for the breakfast stall. It would make people move their index fingers."
Jiang Shuyao smiled and said, "How can I think of business? The street food market can no longer expand. My mother is still looking for a shop to extend the street."
Zhou-shi joked, "You hurry up and stay with your husband. My aunt and I will think about business matters."
Jiang Shuyao shook her head and chuckled, then returned to the east wing with the porridge.
As soon as she entered the room, Xie Xun immediately caught the enticing aroma, and for a moment, he nearly forgot about his injuries. He swiftly got up, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. "What did you make?"
"Duck porridge."
Jiang Shuyao did not allow Xie Xun to move his arms drastically, so she fed him porridge these few days, but now Xie Xun smelled the scent, and Jiang Shuyao couldn't hold him back. He reached out to serve the porridge.
Jiang Shuyao dissuaded him to no avail, so she could only take a low table and put it in front of him so that he did not have to hold the bowl.
The duck meat porridge was clear, with rice grains round and plump. A thin layer of golden duck oil floated on the surface—just a touch, but it melted seamlessly into the porridge, adding a subtle richness and enhancing the already fragrant duck broth.
Xie Xun couldn't wait to scoop a spoonful into his mouth. The smooth, savory duck soup and the tender, springy rice blended together perfectly. The flavor was rich, yet not overly salty. As the rice absorbed the sweetness of the duck soup, it took on a delicate fragrance, while the soup itself gained a light, aromatic note from the rice. The duck meat was tender and succulent, its texture satisfying without being greasy. As he swallowed, the warmth spread through his chest, and the lingering sweetness on his lips stayed with him, comforting and indulgent.
Jiang Shuyao casually added, "If you fry some dough sticks, cut them into sections and soak them in the soup, it would taste excellent. The fried dough sticks absorb the broth quickly, but the exterior stays crisp. The freshness of the duck soup is perfect for cutting through any greasiness—it has an oily fragrance, but it's not overwhelming. It really makes the dish even more appetizing."
Xie Xun chuckled, enjoying the familiar rhythm of their mealtime conversations. Every time they ate, Jiang Shuyao would inevitably bring up some food-related topic. Her vast experience with different dishes was impressive—she could even tell an engaging story about something as simple as radishes. It was part of the reason Xie Xun had been able to stomach the pickled radish a few days ago.
After eating a bowl of porridge, Xie Xun felt that his injury was too worthwhile. He doesn't need to do anything but still can drink the fragrant and warm porridge that just came out of the pot. No wonder the Lin family's breakfast shop has such a good business. It was clearly opened in the east of the city, but the high-ranking officials and nobles in the west of the city have also heard about it. They rushed to taste it once, and when they came back, they often talked about the taste.
Xie Xun, who had become an official since entering the court, suddenly had the thought of pretending to be sick. He planned to wait until his injury was almost healed and make the wound open again so that he could rest for a few more days.
But Jiang Shuyao didn't dare to give Xie Xun too much greasy food. He ate duck porridge at noon but had to eat light plain noodles at night.
A few days later, when Zhou-shi came to see Jiang Shuyao, she suddenly remembered that she still had to make spicy strips.
She told Zhou-shi to either use gluten or soybean rolls to make spicy strips. Zhou-shi went back and tried the opportunity. Finally, besides the soybean rolls, she made a small plate according to Jiang Shuyao's method. Only after tasting it, she dared to bring it over to give Jiang Shuyao a taste.
Jiang Shuyao looked at the red and oily spicy strips in front of her and swallowed silently.
Spicy strips are one of the most addictive snacks. She didn't expect that one day she could still eat handmade spicy strips in ancient times.
She picked up a soybean roll with chopsticks and put it in her mouth under Zhou-shi's expectant gaze.
The soybean rolls with spicy strips packed a punch. The fiery seasoning and red oil struck the tip of her tongue, sending a sharp jolt of heat. The intense spice quickly spread across her mouth, dominating her senses. She only took a small bite, but the bold, lingering heat was a full-bodied experience—hot, spicy, and utterly satisfying.
"I rolled the soybean rolls according to your method. I didn't expect a thin bean curd could be so delicious when rolled."
Speaking of this, she pointed to the plate of bean curd next to them, "I folded three thin bean curds and made this one in the same way. How would you taste it?"
Jiang Shuyao took a look. Isn't this an old-fashioned spicy slice?
She admired, "Second sister-in-law, you are so smart. It took only a few days for you to make a finished product by yourself."
Zhou-shi's eyes widened. With a speechless appearance, she said, "What are you talking about? Isn't it the method you gave me?"
Jiang Shuyao put down her chopsticks and said with a serious expression, "Second sister-in-law, you are very talented in cooking, and you are willing to endure hardship. These two points are enough to allow you to do business alone in the market."
Jiang Shuyao meant to show that she had already surpassed the teacher, but the word "alone" touched Zhou-shi's heartstrings, and she froze for a moment and was momentarily silent.
"Second sister-in-law?" Jiang Shuyao noticed that her expression was not right and called her.
Zhou-shi hurriedly put aside the complicated emotions in her heart, "It's a pity that only you and I could enjoy such delicious food. Ah Sheng is young and can’t eat heavy and spicy food... By the way, there was also the first branch. I will give it to them, just to send something."
Jiang Shuyao was puzzled, "Eldest sister-in-law can't eat spicy food."
Zhou-shi raised her eyebrows and left in a hurry, "I am sending it because I know that she can't eat it. It's either she died of spiciness or greediness, hahahahaha."
*
Zhou-shi and Xu-shi have been dealing with each other for so many years, and they know each other very well. When the spicy strips were placed in front of Xu-shi, she immediately guessed Zhou-shi's thoughts.
The spiciness was irresistibly appetizing. Even though she wasn't fond of it, she took a bite. The bold heat immediately took over, but there was a surprising hint of sweetness and a touch of umami beneath the fiery taste. As she chewed the soybean rolls, the more she chewed, the more the flavors deepened—an intoxicating blend of spicy and savory that lingered long after each bite. It was a pleasant surprise how the flavors held on. Unfortunately, she couldn't indulge in too much spice. After one bite, she quickly reached for a mung bean cake to cool her mouth.
When she was flushing down the mung bean cake with tea, Xie Li came in from outside.
It was rare for him to see Xu-shi eating so eagerly, and he couldn't help but feel both surprised and concerned. "Why are you choking?" he asked.
Xu-shi quickly swallowed the mung bean cake and shook her head. "No, I'm just drinking too quickly," she explained.
Xie Li nodded, but his attention was suddenly drawn to the spicy strips in front of her. "What is this?"
"Spicy food. It's called ‘spicy strip’ or something," Xu-shi replied.
"Spicy strip?" Xie Li swallowed, "Sent from the third branch?"
"No, it was from the second branch."
The answer was beyond Xie Li's expectation, but it feels acceptable if he thinks about it carefully. After all, Zhou-shi has learned cooking with Jiang Shuyao for so long and still practicing every day. It was not surprising that she can cook her own dishes.
Xie Li sighed as he thought about the ongoing dispute between his second brother and his second sister-in-law. Rumor had it that they hadn't spoken to each other for two months. He had gone out a few days ago and returned looking even more depressed, though no one knew exactly what had happened.
Xu-shi, who had always understood him well, noticed the pensive look on his face. Recognizing his thoughts, she gently spoke, "You shouldn't get involved with them."
Xie Li touched his beard, "I understand. How could I reach out to take care of my brother's and his wife's affairs." He stroked his beard and sighed halfway, remembering something seemed wrong, "Madam, aren't you not harmonious with the younger second sister-in-law before? Why does it seem that you are protecting her lately? For example, you didn't allow the maids to report the second sister-in-law to the second brother; or help the second sister-in-law in front of the mother. Until now, mother still does not know that my second sister-in-law runs outside all day; or you don't want me to accompany my second brother to get drunk--"
Xu-shi interrupted him gently, "What's about it." She made her standard smile and pushed the plate in front of Xie Li, "You taste these spicy strips. It tastes good."
Xie Li was distracted and picked up a spicy strip into his mouth.
He hadn't expected the taste of the spicy strips to be so intense. It wasn't salty, but rather a complex blend of rich flavors—spicy, pungent, sweet, fragrant, and hot. The surface of the soybean roll was soaked in spicy oil, while the inside remained thick and moist. The fragrance was an aromatic mix of spices, and the texture was delightfully chewy.
"Not bad." He stroked his beard. "It tastes wonderful."
After chewing another one, he stopped and asked, "Madam, do you mind if I bring it to work tomorrow? If I am tired, it should be very relieving to chew one."
Of course, Xu-shi would not compete with him for the spicy strips, so Xie Li wrapped the spicy strips in oil paper the next day and happily bring it to work.
*
Jiang Shuyao went to the second branch early in the morning to talk to Zhou-shi about the new breakfast products and improving the spicy strips. She just happened to run into Xie Li, who was leaving for work, and was dumbfounded like she was hit by thunder.
After breakfast, Xie Li sipped his porridge, finding the taste flat, so he decided to chew on a piece of spicy strip. Though he typically minded his appearance, the spicy strips were a rare treat, and he found them fascinating. Chewing them felt far more satisfying than nibbling on sesame seed cakes. With calm composure, he continued walking, savoring each bite.
It was a curious sight: a handsome middle-aged man, his expression as serious as a school dean’s, fully immersed in the act of chewing the spicy strips with gusto. His face, though darkened with concentration, showed genuine appreciation for the flavors. It was, without a doubt, a rather amusing sight to behold.
Xie Li saw Jiang Shuyao, swallowed the hot strips, and greeted Jiang Shuyao with a staid tone and gesture, which looked more in line with the image of the school's dean of discipline who patrols early in the morning and catches students who are late.
After he left, Jiang Shuyao stood there for a long time, unable to return to her senses.
If she hadn’t guessed wrong, her eldest brother would have taken some spicy strips to court. If his colleagues are as greedy as the East Palace group of foodies, was the capital going to have the trend of majestic and old-fashioned middle-aged officials chewing spicy strips? This was too scary.
—
Latiao (辣条)- (lit. 'Spicy stick/spicy strip') is a popular Chinese snack. Latiao consists of strips made with wheat flour (especially wheat gluten), flavored with chili pepper. It is chewy, spicy, and tangy. Latiao is commercially produced by extrusion from a mixture of gluten-rich dough. Beyond chili pepper, salt, sugar, and other spices are commonly used.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBtVuBCDhpw
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