Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 40 (Part 2)

Dec 13

Translated by Pure

Chapter 40.2 The Predestined Affinity of Congee

The Winter Solstice was naturally incomparable to the Lunar New Year. After the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month was the time where others sent Passing Year gifts. Those who were aware of Shen Indelible floral cakes, would often order at least two boxes to suit the occasion.

During the afternoon, while Shen Shaoguang was making Cloud Cakes, in came the servant of Deputy Magistrate Lin's Residences coming over. He smiled apologetically at Shen Shaoguang and said, "There’s a presumptuous request that I have to trouble you with, Miss."

Shen Shaoguang asked him to speak.

"Our Elder Madam complimented your congee after sampling the other day. She had a craving for it and asked our chef to recreate it, but he had trouble replicating that flavor. Would it be possible for your store to stew another potful, the charge is of no matter."

Cooking Eight-Treasure Congee was a time-consuming task. Just as Shen Shaoguang was about to explain this to him, the servant explained in a low voice, "Elder Madam didn't eat much for lunch today."

Meaning you want it now?

Shen Shaoguang mulled about it for a moment before replying, "The lotus seed Eight-Treasure Congee would take a considerable amount of time, but there is another sweet porridge that can be made in a shorter amount of time. Its taste is not bad, and it is more suitable for older ladies." Shen Shaoguang was referring to Walnut Puree.

Shen Indelible, whether it was Sharpen Mutton Jade, sweet pastries, hot pot, or meat and vegetables dishes, they were all very much to their Elder Madam’s liking. This servant had great confidence in Shen Shaoguang, though the crux was that there were no other alternatives. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss. When shall I come to pick it up?"

Although not as time consuming as cooking Eight-Treasure Congee, Walnut Puree was still an equally labor-intensive task. This commission involved the health of an elderly and the stake of Deputy Magistrate Lin's tips, Shen Shaoguang accepted this private chef’s chore.

However, after listening to the servant's words, Shen Shaoguang suddenly had another idea. "It's hard to estimate the time, but it will be done before dinner time. There is no need to come pick it up, we will send the finished product as soon as it's done."

Naturally, the servant did not refuse, and immediately said with a smile, "Then I'll leave it all to you, Miss."

After the servant left, Shen Shaoguang left the task of decorating the Cloud Cakes to Yu San while she began to peel walnuts, remove jujubes’ cores, and milled rice in preparation of Walnut Puree.

Yu San was a little puzzled as to why Shen Shaoguang would accept a commission for cooking a single potful of porridge, but on second thought, such a bowl of porridge would probably be sold at the same price as a potful of cakes. Thus, it would have been stranger if she had declined the offer...

On the contrary, Shen Shaoguang was thinking about her former residence. Since she came to this Lane, she had yet to make a visit inside. The image of her ‘home’ was currently only based on her memories and dreams.

Although Shen Shaoguang wasn’t sure whether or not to regard that place as her home, just like she wasn’t sure to refer Shen Qian, his wife, and Shen Zhiwen— with his pet name of A’Zhang, as her parents and brother, Shen Shaoguang still wanted to go back and have a look. Especially after A’Yuan came back last time and talked about what she had seen in that house.

While reminiscing about her past, Shen Shaoguang threw the peeled walnut kernels into boiling water to blanch. After scalding the walnut kernels, the bitter coating on the outside could be easily removed. In fact, heating it in a microwave would do the same, but there were no microwaves available now.

In the era where kitchen appliances were easily accessible, it would have been all too easy to make Walnut Puree, but now it can only be made ‘purely through handwork’.

To make Eight-Treasure Congee, it was necessary to have peeled and seeded red dates, and this was the same for Walnut Puree. Shen Shaoguang didn't have any soaked red dates, but fortunately, she only required to make a small potful. Thus, without needing to use that coarse method, Shen Shaoguang simply used a knife to peel the red dates bit by bit.

Amidst the tranquility, Yu San finished decorating the Cloud Cakes. He turned around and saw Shen Shaoguang wearing an apron, sitting cross-legged in front of the table, picking out the red date meat bit by bit. A’Yuan was hand picking beans not far behind her. Looking in the open kitchen door behind him, A’Chang, who was in charge of watching the stove, was nodding off little by little. Yu San smiled, went in to check the fire in the stove, but did not wake up A’Chang.

After the walnuts were peeled and the red dates prepared, it was to be ground together with the soaked rice on the mortar and pestle into a uniformed paste. This paste was then cooked in a pot.

After a short while, the sweet fragrance of jujube and rice saturated from the hearth.

A’Yuan came over, nose first, and sniffed. "It smells so good!"

Shen Shaoguang smiled. There was the aroma of rice cakes and meat in the store, she had to give her props for being able to sniff out this light porridge smell.

Seeing that it was almost done, Shen Shaoguang added a little more sugar to taste. Once finished, she filled up a white porcelain jar, closed the lid, wrapped it in a thick white cloth, and placed it into a food box.

"Shall I go and deliver it?" A’Yuan asked.

Shen Shaoguang pointed to the extra bowl and said, "Go and share it with A’Chang."

A’Yuan agreed with a smile.

Yu San glanced at her and said, "You are always indulging them."

Shen Shaoguang blinked. Shouldn’t children often be indulged?

Ignoring Princess Yu San, Shen Shaoguang picked up the food box and left the store.

It seemed that the servant had previously notified the door-keeper as Shen Shaoguang was allowed entrance as soon as she mentioned the matter.

Shen Shaoguang was led by a maid of the Lin Residence. They entered the second main entrance, passed the hall, walked through the veranda, bypassed the vestibule, and entered the back house.

Along the way, Shen Shaoguang compared what she saw with what she remembered. Most of them overlapped, but there were also some differences.

The bamboos were much thicker than compared to her memories, and the crabapple trees have also grown much taller, but the flowers carved on the corridors remained the same as before.

Shen Shaoguang looked up to see Deputy Magistrate Lin at the end of the piazza, dressed in a scholar’s white robe, akin to a bright moon in the cool breeze.

The author has something to say:

This chapter’s information regarding the Tang Dynasty’s customs for the Laba Festival were a mixture of research and fabrication, so please refrain from making textual criticism.

The complicated cooking method of Laba Congee and toppings of fruits were referenced from Mr. Tang Lusun’s literary work <Reminiscing Laba Congee during the Cold Weather (天寒岁暮忆腊八)>. The walnut puree section had been taken inspiration from one of Mr. Liang Shiqiu's works.

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Foods:

Cloud Cakes (雲片糕) - A traditional cake of the Jiangsu Province. Its name reflects its thinness and color. It is characterized by a fine and soft texture, and can be stored for a long time. Mainly made from rice flour and is usually steamed.

Source: https://www.chefspencil.com/most-popular-chinese-desserts/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX2kEwgFLJY

Heheh, these are also easily purchasable on amazon. Just remember not to eat them whole; split them leaf by leaf. It’s a somewhat sugar powdery texture, and faintly milky depending the the flavor you get. I like the original and osmanthus honey flavor.