self-improvement as a cook

Chapter 17

Aunt Liu took a look at An Ran, and hurriedly went out to greet her: "Miss Lian'er is here, the room smells of oily smoke, but the yard is better. Sitting here with Miss Lian'er, Liu Xi'er lost her eyes even more. Take out the dim sum you made for Miss Lian Er to taste."

Liu Xi'er responded inside, An Ran searched for a plate, picked up two pieces and handed them to him, Liu Xi'er muttered, "She's quick to talk." An Ran smiled, cut a quick bean paste cake and stuffed it into his mouth: " Hurry up, there's a lot here, I'll let you eat enough later." Liu Xi'er swallowed what was in her mouth, and ran out staggeringly.

An Ran understands what Godmother means, even though she has entered the big kitchen, she has not stood firm, the lotus is on top of a bay laurel, maybe she has any problems with her before, if she remembers to blow the wind in front of the old man a few times Well, if my errand is not handled well, it will be a mess. No matter how much Chef Zhao in the big kitchen has the right to speak, if the old master speaks, it is impossible for him to stay.

Only when I stand firm in the big kitchen, can the godmother and people like the outside kitchen have hope. An Ran now feels more and more that the outside kitchen is a good person, and working with such people, if nothing else, at least rest assured, don't worry about stabbing you in the back One knife, so, An Ran decided to put all these people in the kitchen when there is a chance, and when she goes out by herself, it would be better if these people can also go out with her. what.

While thinking about it, while listening to the commotion outside, I heard Lian'er say: "This dim sum just out of the pan is delicious, and the stuffing inside is crispy and crispy, like peanut kernels?"

Aunt Liu smiled and said: "Miss Lian'er is getting better and better now, I only tasted one piece, and even the stuffing came out, isn't it peanut kernels?"

Lian'er complimented Aunt Liu with a few words of compliment, her small face beamed brightly: "Don't praise me, Auntie, I can't eat as much as you do, can't I?"

Aunt Liu: "If you want me to say, those who know how to cook are not as good as those who know how to eat. Those who know how to eat have a good taste, and those who know how to cook will only suffer a lot for the rest of their lives. Miss Lian'er is a blessed person. Miss, come here at this time , dare Miss Yue have any orders?"

Lian'er's face darkened when she heard this, she looked left and right, and said in a low voice: "Don't lie to me, our girl is from a good family after all, no matter how good this man's wrist is, he can't compare to that from Zhuyuan. What's more, the one in Zhuyuan has a great helper. The girl opposite us is not a vegetarian either. A few days ago, the old man hired our Yue girl to serve her a few times because of the dim sum made by the auntie. Later, the people in Zhuyuan heard about it somehow, and they found a good cook from outside, and put them in the small kitchen of Zhuyuan. , the food made is not comparable to our kitchen outside. In recent days, the master does not stay in the bamboo courtyard, but also invites the waiter opposite us. Our Yue girl has not seen the master for a few days. I am anxious, let me ask my aunt, think about it carefully, but is there any fresh food that can enter the mouth of our elder?"

Aunt Liu's eyes flickered: "If you want to talk about this fresh food, there are many, but our grandpa has eaten and seen it all over the world, so the taste is naturally good. If you can enter our grandpa's mouth, why not delicacies from mountains and seas?" It's just a gift, but these things are expensive, not to mention anything else, I heard that my aunt bothered the big kitchen to make a bowl of bird's nest and white fungus soup for the old man, and gave it to Manager An for two taels of silver, so the bird's nest is still my aunt I bought it myself."

Lian'er took a deep breath: "It's no wonder that the former master ran away to the Orchid Court in a good manner. Our girl has been wondering for a long time in the house, so that's why." She said with a sigh: "Our girl Yue I don’t have much money, my natal family has no hope, and the old man is not very proud, where can I get so much money, it’s really worrying.”

Aunt Liu knew in her heart that Yuegui was reluctant to part with the big money, so she said this on purpose, just to let her stop at the right time, and Anran would go to the big kitchen tomorrow. It's not a hassle for Yue Gui to cook a big dish, it's better to stop her thoughts at this moment, so as not to be caught off guard in the future, when An Ran stops in the big kitchen, who cares about it.

After sending Lian'er away, Aunt Liu came back, and as soon as she entered the room, she saw a person holding a piece of bean paste cake, eating happily, she couldn't help saying: "Throw me out to deal with that girl, you are at ease."

Aunt Jiao smiled and said to Ma Dazu: "Look, Sister Liu is making a fuss. She thinks we will take advantage of her not eating good food. Sister Liu, don't think about it, this An Ran girl is your own daughter." Alright, do you want anything delicious in the future? Flying in the sky, running on the ground, swimming in the water, what else? , your eyes will get hot just looking at it."

Aunt Liu was amused by her, she pointed at her and said: "Your mouth is becoming more and more tricky now, don't say you are greedy, but you have arranged a meal for me first, you can be careful, you have a daughter at home, don't Looking back, I'll be like you, and become a snarky one, look where I can find my husband's family."

After hearing this, Ma Dazuo smiled and said, "Since I brought this up today, I want to be a ready-made matchmaker. Xing'er girl from Sister Jiao's family will be sixteen in the Chinese New Year. I don't need to tell you how she looks, Liu My sister has seen it before, and I think it matches your second boy, Zhou He."

Ma Dazu has never mentioned this before, don’t look at Aunt Jiao’s blackness, her family’s Jiao Xing’er looks exactly like her name, delicate and tender, with a fair face and black hair , the whole person is like the apricot blossoms that just bloomed on the branches in February, which is indescribably beautiful.

Aunt Jiao and his wife had no sons, and the girl was born late, so the couple hoped to find a son-in-law in the future, so that they could have a succession when they grow old. Aunt Liu's family has two sons, and the eldest, Zhou Tai, naturally wants to set up a family and inherit the family. The Zhou family's incense, if the second child can be recruited by Mrs. Jiao's family, wouldn't it be a happy marriage.

Especially, now that An Ran has entered the big kitchen, as long as An Ran stands still, Aunt Liu's family will have nothing to worry about in the future, regardless of errands or benefits, everything will be indispensable, and Aunt Liu is a kind-hearted mother-in-law, and his man is an honest man, so It's hard to find such a good family with a lantern.

Therefore, when Ma Dajiao mentioned it, Aunt Jiao was really moved. She looked at Aunt Liu and said, "My girl looks like the past, but it only made me a little lazy. She's not good at sewing. He is clumsy in speech and clumsy in speech, my ex-son still worries about how to find his in-laws, but Sister Ruoliu doesn't mind, our two families get married, I can take advantage of it."

Aunt Liu was a little hesitant, but Aunt Jiao's temperament needless to say, after being together for so many years, who doesn't know who? Good-looking, with high eyelids, I heard that several families came to kiss, but they didn't agree.

Although my second boy is clever, but marrying such a high-minded daughter-in-law, I don't know if he can live with it. Besides, what's the use of a good or bad appearance, it's better to be capable, capable, able to live and have children. .

But now that Ma Dajiao had talked to Aunt Jiao, he had to agree first, and said: "Your Jiao Xing'er looks good, I'm afraid I won't look down on my Zhou He, so go back and talk to your man." Discuss and discuss, if you and your wife have discussed it, I will be 1 willing."

This sentence reminded Aunt Jiao, no, it’s true that you have to discuss it with your own man, you have to discuss it with your daughter. This girl has a hard temper because she spoils her. Poxia donkey: "Then I'll discuss it with her father when I go back."

Aunt Liu breathed a sigh of relief, and Ma Dazu realized that he might have done something unpleasant to both sides, so he changed the subject with a sneer.

After talking for a while, Aunt Liu dragged An Ran back to her small courtyard. Ma Dazu and Ma Dazu knew that the two had something to say, so they would not stop them.

After entering the house, An Ran asked: "Why didn't Niang just agree to the marriage of the second elder brother?"

Aunt Liu pulled her to sit on the kang: "Your second brother is now in the restaurant of An's family. He is just a waiter. She is good-looking, has high eyelids, and is well-raised, so she married into our family. I'm afraid your second brother can't support such a daughter-in-law, so you might as well find someone who can work hard, and in the days to come It's better, you don't understand, these two live a life, no matter how good they look, it's just like that, after a long time, it will become a barn style, only those who live hard will last long."

An Ran asked in surprise, "An's family still has a restaurant?"

Aunt Liu laughed: "It's not just a restaurant, An's business is huge, there are drugstores, silk and satin shops, pawnshops, gold houses, antique shops, and even coffin shops. Our An's restaurant is famous all over the world. The one in the capital is especially big, and there are so many high-ranking officials and dignitaries every day. It’s bustling in and out. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to invite the royal chef to cook. Your second brother is now in the Anji restaurant in our Jizhou mansion. Helping him find this errand, I hoped that he would learn cooking skills, and he would never starve to death with the skills. I don’t want to, your second brother is not this kind of material, he can’t do the kitchen work, but he has become a waiter , greeted and sent every day, what great promise can there be, mentioning your second brother, I am so angry."

An Ran hastily persuaded: "What's your motherhood? As the saying goes, it's a big skill to be the number one scholar in your career, and it's a big skill to run the hall well. When I look back, I will open a restaurant when I go out, and let my second brother take care of it. I'm sure the business will be good. .”

Aunt Liu laughed: "You girl can say good things to comfort mother, come on, what happens to him, mother can't control, now that you are a girl, mother cares what those two boys do, let them toss, drive tomorrow, mother Just my daughter."

An Ran nodded: "That's right."

But in his heart, he wondered how Anji's name was exactly the same as his own. Could it be that he had something to do with An's house, maybe he couldn't.When Aunt Liu saw her in a daze, she assumed she was tired, and after a few more instructions, she let her rest and went by herself.

An Ran was thinking about An Ji's affairs, she couldn't fall asleep, tossed and turned, and fell asleep only after dark, this time she almost overslept, it wasn't the godmother who called Liu Xi'er to call her, but it was really late.

I was busy getting up and tidying up, and went to the big kitchen. I didn't know when I got there. There was no need to worry at all. The two chefs didn't need to go out in person for breakfast. The master likes to eat light in the morning. A mixed and refreshing side dish is enough, not to mention, the old man didn't live in the mansion at all yesterday.

The four aunts also have their own small kitchens. Except for a few people who want to eat, three meals, tea and rice are all settled in their own courtyard. As long as there is no banquet in the house, the big kitchen will be extraordinarily leisurely, and even the people will be reduced by half. Leave a few supporting staff on duty just in case.

An Ran didn't find out until she came, but she didn't stay idle, and started tidying up the kitchen again, yesterday it was just a rough tidying up, and there is no work today, so it's time to tidy up the details.

Disease comes from the mouth. If the kitchen is not clean, it will affect the mood of the chef, and it may also bring bacteria into the dishes. People will get sick after eating them. Since there is no need to cook today and the sun is good, it will Move the vegetable pier and all the things used out and put them in the sun to dry. Without ultraviolet light, we can only use this primitive method to sterilize.The greasy accumulated on the ground was shoveled with a knife, and then brushed with alkaline water several times until the inside and outside of the clean up are shiny, which is considered satisfactory.

When An Fu came in, he almost thought that he had gone to the wrong place. The green brick floor was rubbed so hard that the girl could see people's shadows. It was only now that An Fu remembered that the elder is not in the mansion today. Well, the two chefs, Gao Zhao, don't need to come to the big kitchen, and An Ran, the assistant cook, doesn't need to stay here.

I don't think so, but this girl is really hardworking. She kept the kitchen spotless, so it's so clean. Where else is she doing? Come here."

An Ran looked around: "Wait until I wipe this wall."

An Fu looked at the four walls in astonishment, and thought to himself, when will this be wiped? Come on, anyway, when he came to talk, this girl insisted on tiring him, but it had nothing to do with him, so he turned and left.

An Ran kept cleaning up until it was dark. It was not over yet. After dinner, almost everyone in the big kitchen had left. In the middle of it, Aunt Yu came to persuade her to rest but failed, so she followed her. He said that the front and rear courtyard doors were locked, and asked her to go out through the corner door when she left for a while, and gave her the key to the corner door, and left.

After Anran cleaned up, she moved all the vegetables in the yard and put them back in place. She didn't know when it was. There was no watch here, and Anran didn't understand the hourglass. She mostly guessed when cooking. Time, other times can only depend on the sky.

An Ran looked outside, there was a bright moon in the sky, and the silvery white moonlight poured down, passed through the eaves and landed in the courtyard, like a piece of silvery white silk was laid out, extremely beautiful.

In the modern times, except for the Mid-Autumn Festival, An Ran never thought of looking at the moon in the sky, and she couldn’t see it even if she wanted to. The rapid development of urban civilization brought convenience to human beings, but at the same time, it also paid a price. Such bright moonlight, in modern times, Except for occasional sightings in mountainous areas far away from cities, people living in cities probably have long forgotten what moonlight is.

Such a bright moonlight is really the most beautiful gift that nature bestows on people, not only the moonlight but also the stars, the stars covering the entire night sky, emitting starlight all over the sky, are as beautiful as a dream.

An Ran raised her head and immersed herself in it for an unknown amount of time, until a series of grunts came from her stomach, and she remembered that besides drinking a bowl of porridge in the morning and eating an oil-salt roll, she hadn't eaten all day, no wonder she was hungry.

When you are hungry, you will naturally have to eat. There is no shortage of ingredients in the big kitchen, but what to do makes An Ran hesitate.It’s funny to think about it. When I was carrying water and chopping firewood in the kitchen outside, the half-dried pancake left by my godmother on the pot was extremely delicious. Now that I’m here, I don’t know what to eat with the good stuff with my mouth open. , it can be seen that people really can't live too well. If the life is too good, it is easy to be hypocritical. It's better to be more miserable, maybe there is still a taste.

Just when I was about to enter the house, I suddenly caught a glimpse of half a basket of green things in the small basket next to the rabbit cage. I walked over and picked it up to have a look. It turned out to be alfalfa. I guess it was for rabbits. Under the more emerald water spirit.

Looking at these alfalfa sprouts, An Ran remembered a long-lost food, alfalfa cake. When grandpa talked about ancient times, he always said that in the famine years before, eating a piece of alfalfa cake was no less than the mountain and sea delicacies of swallow's fin and abalone today. Therefore, as soon as spring comes, grandpa will go to the suburbs with a basket on his back to pick alfalfa sprouts to make alfalfa cakes, which has almost become a tradition in the family.

Even that year when my grandfather was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital, he didn't forget to make alfalfa cakes and send them to him. Unfortunately, his life was about to run out, he took only one bite and couldn't eat any more.

Thinking of this, he brought in half a basket of alfalfa. The alfalfa cake was eaten by ordinary people. The youngest buds and leaves were already picked in the basket, and they were washed with water. , Pour in flour and salt, knead into dough, cut into small doses, roll into pancakes, bake them in a pan, cut into corners, and put them on a plate.

An Ran picked up a piece and took a bite, the long-lost taste filled her taste buds, making her eyes sore that she wanted to cry.

An Ran was immersed in the emotion of missing her grandfather, but suddenly heard a rather magnetic voice: "What are you eating?"

An Ran was stunned for a moment, then raised her head hastily, a man was standing in the yard outside the window at some point, wearing a green shirt, wearing a black scarf and straw hat on his head, just standing in the moonlight, the moonlight shining on him made him look even more He has a tall and straight figure, but his facial features are hidden in the light and shadow, making it hard to see clearly.

However, An Ran guessed that such a tall and straight man should not be an ugly monster. After he got closer and saw his face clearly, An Ran really understood the meaning of the word "Qingjun". Ultimate, even though he was so lecherous, he was taken aback for a moment, and subconsciously agreed: "Clover cake."

(End of this chapter)