Border Cook

The next morning, there were fragrant fried dumplings, soft and glutinous rice porridge, and freshly mixed shredded radish.

At noon, we had the delicious steamed noodles with soybean sprouts and pork slices.

In the evening, I had cornmeal porridge, fried pork with dried tofu, and scallion rolls...

The delicious food in the canteen continued, and everyone was immersed in it, eating very satisfyingly.

Especially when the students noticed that there was a clear change in the attitudes of President Zhou and Master Dai, they felt more at ease and no longer concealed their praise for Xia Mingyue's cooking skills, nor did they hide their pursuit of the delicious meal.

Of course, I didn't dare to slack off in my studies, but became more motivated and hardworking.

In their view, the reason why Mr. Dave became so open-minded and reasonable and no longer suppressed their pursuit of food desires was simply because he found that they could study hard even if the food was delicious.

Then, they must work harder.

First of all, they cannot let the teachers down.

Secondly, they can’t let themselves down.

In short, the county school has been filled with a peaceful atmosphere these days.

Looking around, it is like the seedlings of crops in the fields in spring, thriving and growing in the wind, which makes people feel really happy.

Seeing this, Zhou Zhiqing stroked his beard again and again, and couldn't help humming a little tune while fiddling with the pots of orchids in the room.

"Headmaster, I feel that this is not the time to be happy..." The servant boy who was helping Zhou Zhiqing tidy up the flower pots reminded.

"Why?" Zhou Zhiqing was stunned.

Master Dai changed his mind. Now they all can enjoy delicious meals in the cafeteria, and even the students are studying hard. Why shouldn't he be happy?

"Madam Xia's cooking is delicious, but she only stays in the small dining hall for half a month, or at most twenty days. During this time, everyone has become accustomed to Madam Xia's cooking skills, and their tastes have become more sophisticated. When Chef Wei comes back..."

After Chef Wei comes back, we can eat the meals cooked by Chef Wei with limited cooking skills again.

By then, everyone had frowned brows and was in a bad mood, and the daily canteen meals returned to their tasteless state.

Not only that, but because they are used to eating the food cooked by Madam Xia, their reaction will be even greater.

By then, I'm afraid there will be widespread complaints and unrest everywhere.

I'm sweating profusely!
Zhou Zhiqing's smile disappeared in an instant, and his brows were suddenly furrowed.

How can this be good?

Madam Xia's family has many businesses, and the reason she agreed to help out in the small canteen for a while this time was simply because she saw that the time was not long and she could read and write, so she agreed reluctantly.

It is impossible to ask Madam Xia to stay longer.

As for Chef Wei, he is quite old and has worked in the canteen for a long time. He has more experience than the headmaster. Moreover, when Jinqiu County was hit by war, Chef Wei tried his best to preserve some items in the county school. It can be said that he has deep feelings for the county school and he cannot be dismissed.

Things seemed to have reached a point where they could not be resolved.

Zhou Zhiqing had a worried look on his face. He paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back for several circles. Finally, he looked at the servant boy and said, "You are young and smart. You can learn things quickly. Why don't you learn some cooking skills during this period of time?" "Or, how about you take a look at me? Although I am a little older, I have eaten more meals. As the saying goes, you have never eaten pork before you have seen a pig run. Maybe it will be easier for me to learn with more experience?"

Instead of expecting others to do it, do it yourself.

Book boy, "????"

The mountain chief is probably...

Are you crazy?
-
The weather was getting colder day by day, and Xia Mingyue learned more and more words.

Every time Xia Mingyue was able to complete the homework assigned by Principal Zhou in excess and start preparing for the next course.

Principal Zhou was very pleased and felt a great sense of accomplishment to have such a serious and hardworking student. He gave two books to Xia Mingyue so that she could study independently and ask questions at any time if she encountered any words she didn't understand.

This can speed up the learning of characters, which is quite suitable for Xia Mingyue.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou." Xia Mingyue was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

Here, under the management of Lu and Jiang Zhuguo, everything related to the breakfast stall is basically ready.

Just when Xia Mingyue was hesitating whether to open the breakfast stall in the evening after she finished her work at the county school canteen, or to let Lu and Jiang Zhuguo give it a try first, Zhou Zhiqing came to find Xia Mingyue early in the morning.

It is said that Chef Wei will be back this afternoon, so after Xia Mingyue finishes cooking lunch, she can go back to do her own thing.

"Ms. Xia, you have worked really hard these days," said Zhou Zhiqing.

"Mr. Zhou, you're too polite." Xia Mingyue replied with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Zhou. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you more in the future with your studies and literacy."

"Don't worry, Madam Xia. I have already informed several teachers. As long as you are free, you can come to the county school to study and learn calligraphy."

Zhou Zhiqing took the small bundle that had been prepared long ago from the servant boy and handed it to Xia Mingyue. "There are several books in it. I copied them myself in my spare time. They are not written by famous authors and are not very helpful for the imperial examinations. However, the sentences are easy to understand and contain common words and phrases. They are very suitable for children to learn to read. I think they are also suitable for Madam Xia, so I will give them to her."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou." Xia Mingyue took it with both hands and thanked him repeatedly.

The lunch was the last meal Xia Mingyue would prepare in the small canteen for some time. After thinking about it, Xia Mingyue went to the street and bought half a freshly slaughtered lamb.

Shave the meat and remove the bones, soak the mutton and mutton bones in cold water to fully remove the blood, and then blanch them in water with onion, ginger and yellow wine to remove the foam.

Wash with warm water, put the water into the pot, boil it with scallion and ginger slices, then simmer over low heat.

The flames jumped, and the water in the pot boiled and rolled, gradually turning white from the initial transparent state, and the unique fresh aroma of the broth gradually wafted out.

When the mutton is completely cooked, you can take it out and cut it into thin slices, leaving the mutton bones in the pot and still slowly stewing it so that the soup can remain as delicious and rich as possible.

Add flour, water and salt to make dough. After it has risen, divide it into small pieces, roll them into the shape of ox tongue, brush a thin layer of oil on both sides, and let it rise for another half an hour.

The dough that has been proofed is very tough. Pull both ends of the dough and stretch it gently to stretch it to its longest length. Then tear it into strips as thick as a thumb.

The noodles are cooked in the pot and then taken out. A few slices of mutton, blanched tofu shreds, fungus shreds, coriander, etc. are placed in a bowl. A spoonful of boiling and rich mutton bone soup is poured on top, and the fragrant mutton noodles are then distributed to each student.

The mutton stewed noodles are steaming hot, the noodles are chewy, the soup is rich and delicious, and with a little chili oil or balsamic vinegar, the deliciousness of the whole bowl immediately rises to a higher level. (End of this chapter)