1986: Old Stories in Northeast China

In the Northeast, soybean paste is like a soul.

Regardless of spring, summer, autumn or winter, even ordinary soybean paste can be served on the table, and it can be eaten with a delicious meal.

What's more, if you make a bowl of good soybean paste, you can eat the whole green belt.

Although this is a bit exaggerated, you can't deny the status of soybean paste in the hearts of Northeastern people. It accompanies people's three meals a day.

"How to do it?" Han Xiuying asked.

"It's very simple." Chen Tiezhu said.

"Isn't there warm water in the pot? We will soak the bean cakes in warm water and then steam them in the pot. This is because I have money now, otherwise I don't even have a steaming curtain."

"Tsk tsk, I can't bear it anymore." Han Xiuying said with a pout.

"Hehe, isn't this also because I hold your big thick legs. Well, don't abandon me. Don't abandon, don't give up, this is our purpose." Chen Tiezhu said stickyly.

"Why are you so shameless?" Han Xiuying asked helplessly.

"What shame? What's the use of that thing? You've already run away, why do I need it?" Chen Tiezhu said confidently.

"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and steam the bean cakes." Han Xiuying urged.

She really gave up on Chen Tiezhu. You have to treat the rolling meat lightly.

This job is also very easy to do. Of course, Chen Tiezhu also took the opportunity to mix some space water into it.

"You make so much, can you eat it when the time comes? Don't you have to add salt water?" Han Xiuying asked.

"Don't worry, it's definitely edible. How delicious is it to dip it in pickles? And I plan to set aside a small jar to pickle pickles. Pickles in a jar are also the best."

"There is only one disadvantage, the remaining sauce is not delicious. Basically, these pickles have absorbed the essence of the soybean paste, so they are so delicious."

"Next year, we have to live a good life. We have to prepare everything that should be prepared at home, and we can't always ask for it from other people's homes. Do you think we should fool around this year and build a new house directly next year, or do it this year?"

"Oh..., why are you asking me? Steam the bean cakes quickly." Han Xiuying was very worried.

This guy is increasingly not treating himself as an outsider, what can I do?

Put the steaming curtain and spread the tray cloth, and then spread all the bean cakes on it.

"Okay, it's done steaming. Zhenwen, your sister and I are going out to play. Watch the stove pit. If there is no fire, bring some firewood in." Chen Tiezhu said.

"Brother Chen, go and play without worry." Han Zhenwen, who was trying hard to pick up soybeans, responded.

"Doudou, call your friends, and set off now." Chen Tiezhu shouted.

"Goushengzi, Xiaomihudan, let's go." The little guy playing in the yard called out.

Then their small team ran to Erye's house in a mighty manner.

Dahuang was originally basking in the warm winter sunshine peacefully. After seeing Doudou, he hesitated for a moment and then chose to lie down.

Where are you running to?

You can't run away, what else can you do if you don't choose to lie down?

Seeing Dahuang like this, Doudou was so happy that he smiled and went over to sit next to Dahuang, leaning his little body against Dahuang's body.

"Are you done with the things at home?" Erye came out with his arm hanging.

"Second Master, I'll help you thresh all the corns at home. Then I'll take the corn husks home to see if I can use them to grow mushrooms." Chen Tiezhu said.

"Okay, I've picked out the bad corns. You keep them and wait for the ones that pop and bubble, and pop them for Doudou." Second Master said with a smile.

"Sure, it's snowing these days, so I haven't come to pop. Where did you put the corn husks? I'll try to finish them today." Chen Tiezhu said.

"It's hanging on the wall downstairs. You need to use some strength. It's hard to rub the corn. Girl, don't stretch your hands. You can't do this job with your delicate skin and tender flesh." Second Master reminded.

"Second Master, it's okay. I'll try." Han Xiuying said with a smile.

After laying the bags on the ground, Chen Tiezhu also brought a basket of corn with a large dustpan, then sat on the small stool, picked up the iron husks and started stringing.

In later times, people would use machines to thresh corn, which is hassle-free and trouble-free.

But now, people in Erdaoling Village are reluctant to spend the money.

Whether it is corn, sorghum or soybeans, they are all processed at home. It is tiring, otherwise what would they do in winter?

For sorghum and soybeans, they are basically put on the ground and hammered with sticks. After hammering, they are put on the yard and pressed several times with rollers.

But corn is not good, this thing can't be pressed.

IfIf there is a broken bag at home, put the corn in the broken bag, and then pick up the corn cob and cut it. The corn cobs inside are broken and the corn kernels are scattered, which is also easy to rub.

Another work is like what Chen Tiezhu is doing now, using an iron piercer to string the corns from the root to the tip. Stringing three or four times on a corn cob is also convenient for rubbing.

He is very strong, and he picked up the cob and strung it with a click, while Han Xiuying was rubbing it attentively on the side.

At the beginning, it really didn't feel like a big deal.

There is already space, and it is very easy to rub with the thenar under the tiger's mouth.

But after rubbing three corns, she found that this work is indeed a bit laborious.

Although she has not reached the level of delicate skin and tender flesh in the mouth of the second master, her skin has been worn out by rubbing until now.

"Yingzi, put on your gloves. Doudou, go home and get the thread gloves for sister Yingzi." Chen Tiezhu said.

"Doudou, you play, sister will go home and get them. Don't always order Doudou around, let her play peacefully." Han Xiuying said with a slight complaint.

"Sister Yingzi, Doudou is fine. Dahuang, I'll take you to play."

Doudou stood up and pulled Dahuang up by the ear.

There are not many opportunities to take Dahuang out for a stroll in such a legitimate way.

"Take a break, wait for Doudou to get it back and then you can help me. In fact, I can do it myself. It doesn't mean that I have to do it directly. I can also help a little with the corn cob."

Chen Tiezhu said, picking up a corn cob and weighing it between his hand and the corn cob. With a light rub, a piece of corn kernels fell off.

"I think you don't even need to string it, just rub it directly." Han Xiuying said helplessly.

"How can I do that? It's a waste of effort." Chen Tiezhu said seriously.

Han Xiuying glanced at the second master, and seemed not to notice this side, so she kicked Chen Tiezhu directly.

Chen Tiezhu had been prepared for it, and he moved his legs and grabbed Han Xiuying's legs in his arms.

Then he held her legs and rubbed the corn.

Is this the benefit of rubbing corn?

Others have to eat an extra bowl of rice for rubbing corn, but he only needs to hold one leg.