Ye Chui's fourth match in Chinatown was soon reported back to China through Li Xiuyun's special report. As expected, this report caused a great sensation. After all, almost everyone in China who cares about the food industry is paying attention to this matter. In order to consider sales, Food Weekly specially wrote the title "Ye Chui loses to Lahongzhuang in the fourth match in Chinatown." on the cover of the magazine. This immediately aroused the attention of countless people, and the sales of the magazine also reached a new high.
However, some people, after seeing this title, have no intention of reading the article in detail, and some people even habitually make sarcastic remarks and post comments on the Internet -
"What am I talking about!? Letting an 18-year-old boy represent the entire China to compete in Chinatown is a disgrace to the entire China. Now that he has lost, I wonder how he will end up. There was a lot of noise some time ago, and those well-known domestic chefs also followed suit. Now that things have turned out like this, it is really embarrassing for us all in China. I suggest that the Food Association must severely punish Ye Chui. It is because of people like him that the food culture in the country has never been improved."
The person who made this comment was actually a professor from a well-known university, whose online name was Professor Zhang. He usually liked to post some critical texts and had many fans. However, as soon as this comment was published, it received tens of thousands of negative comments in an instant.
"What is this old man talking about? Before you comment, please read the special report in Food Weekly carefully, okay?"
"I usually like Professor Zhang's articles, but I have to say something this time. Were you bribed to come to Heiyechu?"
"The title of Food Weekly is really ridiculous. I was shocked when I saw it."
"Ye Chui's actions this time were really pleasing to the people. He even managed to trick an eight-star chef back..."
"What do you mean by deceiving others? People win over others with virtue, okay?"
"I will never pay attention to Professor Zhang's comments again. I think China's food culture has never been able to improve because of people with such opinions and ideas!"
"People who make sarcastic remarks are the most annoying. After the incident of Ye Chui challenging Chinatown became a big deal a while ago, I saw Professor Zhang liked an article praising Ye Chui."
"Professor Zhang really got paid to come to Heiyechui, right?"
…
Professor Zhang probably never thought that his few words, written on impulse, would cause such a big reaction. There were even hot search terms refuting Professor Zhang on the Internet. This was something Professor Zhang never expected, so he wisely hid away and planned not to go online for a while...
In the private room of Manhan Building, a table full of delicious food was set out in the huge room, but there was only one person eating there—Mr. Han.
Tian Xiaodu personally carried a plate of spicy peppers and pork intestines into the box and placed it in front of Mr. Han. He saw that Mr. Han was holding chopsticks in one hand and browsing the news on a tablet in the other. His face, which always looked unhappy with everyone, was now filled with smiles. So Tian Xiaodu couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Han, you are also following the news about Master, right?"
"This kid really didn't disappoint me. The highest-level chef in China right now is a seven-star chef. Now Ye Chui has invited an eight-star chef. This will greatly enhance the domestic food culture." Old Han said with a smile, "This game was a wonderful loss."
“After the challenge in Chinatown is completed, several eight-star chefs and one nine-star chef in Chinatown will all be Chinese chefs,” Tian Xiaodu said with a smile.
"That's right." Old Han nodded repeatedly. After taking a bite of the spicy pepper pork intestines made by Tian Xiaodu, he nodded with satisfaction, "You made a good pork intestine, not much worse than your master."
Tian Xiaodu's face lit up with joy. Old Han had been eating his food for so long, but this was the first time he praised him...
Then the fat man happily pulled out a chair and sat next to Mr. Han, saying with a smile: "I have practiced this dish for a long time..."
"Who told you to sit here?" As a result, Mr. Han's face changed immediately, "Don't you have to work? Go and do what you need to do. There are so many customers waiting downstairs."
Tian Xiaodu: “…”
Standing up awkwardly, Tian Xiaodu was not too hurt. Anyway, that was Old Han's temper. He grinned and said, "Then, Old Han, take your time. Just tell me what else you want to eat."
Having said this, he left the box.
Mr. Han continued watching the news while eating.
There is a lot of praise and admiration for Ye Chui on the Internet.
"This guy has almost gained the support of all Chinese people now. This is the general trend. If Ye Chui can defeat many chefs in Chinatown, the rise of Chinese food culture will be just around the corner." Old Han said softly, and then laughed again, "I was right in my judgment... Well, I'll call Yu Yan later. I don't know if he has managed to deal with Ye Chui after being alone with him for such a long time."
…
Time quickly came to the day agreed upon a week later for the cooking competition with Lin Jiabao.
As soon as Ye Chui got up in the morning, he opened the window and saw that the sky was cloudless and the sun was shining brightly. It was another good day. The weather had been very good for the past week, and Ye Chui's mood also became more relaxed.
Of course, his improved mood was not just due to the weather. He got dressed and walked out of the room, going directly to the yard behind the Chen Family Inn. "After this week, those salted fish should have been dried by now, right?"
The dish that Ye Chui wants to make requires dried salted fish.
However, Ye Chui, Han Yuyan, Chen Tian and others searched Chinatown and even San Francisco, but could not find any place selling salted fish. After searching the Internet, Ye Chui finally confirmed that no one made this ingredient at all.
In fact, the production of dried salted fish has existed since ancient times. It is a way for early humans to preserve food. After fresh fish has been processed to a certain degree and exposed to the sun and dehydrated, it can be stored for a long time and has a unique flavor.
But because of the vegetarian movement, no one would go through the trouble of making dried salted fish anymore. Now that the ban on meat has been lifted and fish can be eaten again, the ancient method of preserving meat is no longer necessary, so naturally no one would go through the trouble of making dried salted fish.
There was no other way, and finally Ye Chui could only try to make it himself.
In fact, the production method of dried salted fish is very simple. The fresh fish is pickled, then exposed to the sun, and the moisture is evaporated. A week is more than enough time to make dried salted fish.
Today is the day when the challenge officially begins, and the salted fish that Ye Chui dried can finally be used.
I saw a row of salted fish hanging under the clothesline in the yard. Each one was fresh and shiny. When I reached out to touch it, I felt that the meat was dense, firm and elastic, which was the quality of the best salted fish.
He collected several dried salted fish and selected the best one. Tang Shanshan had also come here. Of course, she would also join the challenge today. Of course, she came here so early in the morning. Ye Chui guessed that she came here for breakfast...
"Boss, has the salted fish been dried?" Seeing Ye Chui packing some dried salted fish, Tang Shanshan immediately became interested and walked closer to take a look. "Isn't it best to use fresh fish for cooking? Why use this kind of dried salted fish?"
"Salted fish has a unique taste that fresh fish can't match. There is a dish called eggplant stew that uses salted fish, and it tastes the best." Ye Chui explained simply. He smiled at Tang Shanshan, "Since you came early today, I will use salted fish to make a classic side dish for breakfast."
"Really? That's great." Tang Shanshan immediately became happy. This girl actually has a bit of a foodie personality.
Ye Chui smiled. As a chef, he naturally has a liking for people who love food... Come to think of it, wasn't he attracted by Lin Wei's little foodie attribute in the first place
Among the dishes made with salted fish, the most classic one is probably the pan-fried salted fish. This dish is delicious and is a Cantonese home-cooked dish. The method of stewing salted fish with eggplant is also a classic of Cantonese cuisine. Salted fish and eggplant stew is the dish that Ye Chui is going to make to compete with Lin's stew later.
When Han Yuyan finished his morning exercise and returned to Chen's Hotel, Ye Chui had already prepared delicious fried salted fish.
This dish is actually very simple. Soak the salted fish in clean water for twenty minutes, then fry it in a pan until both sides are golden brown, then add shredded ginger and dried chili peppers, and finally add an appropriate amount of vinegar, a little light soy sauce, sprinkle with chopped green onions and it is ready to serve. The method is simple, but delicious. It is even more refreshing and comfortable to eat with millet porridge, and it is endless aftertaste.
After finishing breakfast, Ye Chui took the prepared ingredients and went to Lin's Pot, the fifth restaurant in Chinatown, with Han Yuyan, Tang Shanshan, Chen Tian and Li Xiuyun.
After arriving, Ye Cui saw that many people had already been waiting here. Among them, Ye Cui also saw Shen Zhongda and Jiang Yuemei.
These two people are now Ye Chui's staunch supporters.
As for Mrs. Gao, Lin Li, Huang Yiyuan, Peng Song and others, they were also standing at the door to welcome Ye Chui, and among them there were several unfamiliar white men.
Ye Chui noticed that each of them had a peculiar brooch in the shape of a knife and fork hanging on their chest.
"These people are all gourmets from the International Association." Chen Tian walked up to Ye Chui and whispered, "The knife and fork brooch is the symbol of a gourmet."
These gourmets were naturally invited to serve as judges for this cooking competition. However, seeing them talking and laughing with Lin Li and the others, they seemed to have a very close relationship. It would be strange to say that there was nothing fishy going on between them.
But Ye Chui didn't show any unpleasant expression. He took Han Yuyan's hand and looked at the watch on her wrist. Well, Robert should be here soon... (~^~)