Reborn in 1979: I Raised a Fortune with Four Daughters

Chapter 267 Preparing the Dishes

"Alright, let's get started! But you should go and rest first. Zhao Di and I will prepare the ingredients first, and we'll call you for help when we need to cook."

Lin Fangfang said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Ye Wentao quickly responded:

"Auntie, you and Grandma don't need to work so hard, go and rest. Don't worry about washing the vegetables, just leave it to me! It's so cold outside, I can manage on my own, and I'm quick!"

Then, Ye Wentao asked curiously, "By the way, Auntie, what dishes are we planning to make tonight?"

At this moment, Lin Fangfang turned to look at Zhao Zhaodi beside her and asked:

"Zhao Di, how many students came this time?"

Zhao Zhaodi quickly replied:

"There are 10 of us in total."

Lin Fangfang quickly assessed the situation in her mind, then methodically began to arrange things:

"Hmm... I see. Your dad will be bringing back two dishes later. So, you just need to prepare enough food for two tables. Specifically, you can get some fish, cut it into pieces, and braise or steam it, it's fine;

Make one steamed cured pork, one steamed sauerkraut, and one steamed taro. Besides these steamable vegetables, you also need to stir-fry four other dishes.

After saying that, she began to think about which dishes she would cook.

"Okay, I know."

Ye Wentao responded with a smile.

He turned to look at Zhao Zhaodi and said sincerely:

"Zhao Zhaodi, I've never steamed dishes before, you have to teach me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhaodi smiled warmly and began preparing the bowls and utensils while enthusiastically introducing them:

"Steaming is a very common cooking method in my hometown. In fact, you could say that almost anything can be steamed there!"

Ye Wentao nodded with interest, then rolled up his sleeves and said confidently to Zhao Zhaodi:

"Zhao Zhaodi, you just need to guide me from the side. Tell me exactly how to do it. I'll try making it myself this time, so I can show off my skills to the family at home. After all, whenever I'm home, I basically take care of all the cooking!"

As he spoke, he walked to the cupboard and reached out to take out a bowl.

At this moment, Lin Fangfang interjected:

"Let me teach you. Zhao Di doesn't do that much."

Next, Lin Fangfang explained to Ye Wentao in detail how to clean the fish and reminded him to shake off the water vigorously.

Then, he patiently told him that he needed to add appropriate amounts of oil, salt, chopped chili peppers, and fermented black beans in sequence, and finally sprinkle some dried perilla leaves on top to add a unique aroma.

"Okay, that's fine. After the water boils, steam it for another 10 minutes or so until it's cooked through."

As Lin Fangfang spoke with a smile, she continued to patiently instruct Ye Wentao on how to clean the fragrant cured meat.

She explained in detail:

"This is authentic cured meat that we brought back from our hometown all the way here!"

First, rinse it thoroughly with warm water, then put it in water and bring it to a boil. Repeat the rinsing and blanching process until the water becomes clear. This will effectively remove the strong smoky smell.

After washing, remember to cut it into evenly sized pieces and put it in a bowl for later use.

Next, just add some cooking oil, fermented black beans, and chopped chili peppers from my hometown to the bowl. Remember not to add salt, because the cured meat already has enough salt.

Lin Fangfang finished explaining carefully.

At this moment, Lin Fangfang turned her head and called out to Zhao Zhaodi, who was busy at work:

"Zhaodi, come over here and help peel the bamboo shoots. We're not steaming taro today, we're steaming bamboo shoots instead so you students can all have a taste. These bamboo shoots were specially brought back from our hometown."

Hearing her mother's call, Zhao Zhaodi responded cheerfully:

"okay!"

He quickly put down what he was doing and excitedly ran over to start peeling winter bamboo shoots.

With practiced skill, she peeled the tender winter bamboo shoots in no time.

After peeling the bamboo shoots, Zhao Zhaodi carefully rinsed them again and then neatly arranged them in a large bowl.

Standing to the side, blanching cured pork, Ye Wentao looked at the plump, white bamboo shoots in the bowl and asked Zhao Zhaodi curiously:

"Zhao Zhaodi, you can put the winter bamboo shoots here first. I'll take care of the rest. I'll learn how to do it."

He took the bowl containing the winter bamboo shoots, turned to look at Lin Fangfang, and continued to ask:

"Auntie, can I just steam these winter bamboo shoots like I did before?"

"Yes, cut it into small pieces and steam it together later."

Lin Fangfang said softly as she skillfully arranged the ingredients in her hands.

She deftly scooped out the blanched cured meat and placed it in a bowl for later use.

Ye Wentao, standing to the side, carefully observed Lin Fangfang's every step, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Following Lin Fangfang's instructions, Ye Wentao plated the cured meat, added seasonings, and set it aside for later use.

Ye Wentao picked up a kitchen knife and quickly chopped the tender winter bamboo shoots into even small cubes, then put them into another bowl.

Then, Lin Fangfang walked up to Ye Wentao with a smile and patiently taught him how to add the right amount of seasoning.

Following Lin Fangfang's instructions, Ye Wentao added some pickled cabbage that Zhao Zhaodi had brought from her hometown, a small dish of fragrant fermented black beans, a little golden cooking oil, and several spoonfuls of rich soy sauce to the bowl of winter bamboo shoots. Finally, he sprinkled in a touch of MSG to enhance the flavor. These seasonings were added one by one to the bowl containing the diced winter bamboo shoots and set aside to be used.

Under Lin Fangfang's careful guidance, the two worked together seamlessly and quickly prepared all the dishes that needed to be steamed or boiled.

Looking at the neatly arranged ingredients, Ye Wentao couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

At this moment, he turned to look at Lin Fangfang and asked:

"Auntie, it's already four o'clock in the afternoon. Should we start cooking now, or wait a little while?"

Lin Fangfang stopped what she was doing, looked up at her watch, thought for a moment, and then replied:

"You guys go and rest for a while, no need to rush. I'll start steaming the rice first, around five o'clock, when everyone should be heading home, then we'll start stir-frying and steaming the dishes. I'll call you to help then."

Upon hearing this, Ye Wentao quickly nodded in agreement:

"Okay, Auntie! You should go and rest too. I'll come and help you with the cooking later."

After saying this, he exchanged a smile with Zhao Zhaodi beside him, and then they walked together toward the main room.