This answer really surprised my seventh cousin:
"Are the locust flower bamboo shoots also from your field?"
Wulan was very proud: "Yes, there are a few acacia trees in the back mountain, and there are many bamboo shoots in the bamboo forest!"
My seventh cousin was only surprised for a moment at this answer, but he quickly accepted it.
It's not surprising that every mountain has its own products. When he was a chef, he traveled all over the country and even visited a village. The fish in that village was delicious!
Nowadays, some people are willing to pay a thousand yuan per pound.
It's a pity that a factory was built in the village later on, the river water became smelly, and naturally there were no more fish.
Anyway, he couldn't help but look forward to it, and then he went into the kitchen and took a look:
"So many people are eating, and you're just using this small stove?"
The kitchen in the village is quite large. There is a firewood stove against the wall on one side, two large pots on the left and right, and a warm water stove in the middle.
On the other side, a cement platform was built with a gas stove on it. A long pipe was connected to the gas tank underneath, making cooking convenient.
But for the chef, let alone anything else, the big iron pot that Song Tan was carrying down outside and that was carefully wrapped by his seventh cousin was enough to surpass the two big pots on the earthen stove.
In the past, when people in the village prepared big banquets, the stoves had to be built on site with yellow mud. Of course, now it is more convenient, and many people just use a tin bucket.
But no matter what, this guy must be in big trouble!
Now when the seventh cousin walked into the kitchen, he felt that he couldn't move freely.
Wulan was not embarrassed:
"Uncle, you know, we didn't originally plan to hire so many people at once, and we've been busy lately, so we have to make do with what we have."
The seventh cousin looked at the two aunts who were curiously looking at him from outside, and now he raised his voice slightly:
"My dear niece, Tan Tan paid me to come here and be the chef, so I have to make a request - your kitchen is too small, I can't do anything."
"It's fine to just make do with it for the next two days, but in the future, you'll have to find a place in the yard to build a shed for me, and put two stoves underneath."
This requirement is not simple.
If the place where they are talking is any five-star restaurant, the seventh cousin has the final say in the entire kitchen.
But now... the only things he has the final say over are the two earthen stoves.
Wu Lan subconsciously looked at the yard.
To be honest, no matter how big the yard is, it has become smaller since my daughter came back.
We need to make room for the vegetables, build a doghouse, and make it convenient for cars to drive in for loading and unloading...
But eating is a big deal. As long as she thinks about her child's future, she nods without saying anything:
"Don't worry, we'll clean it up right away after this busy period."
After all, it’s our own homestead, just a shed. At worst we can expand it.
She is so straightforward and doesn't talk nonsense, and my seventh cousin's satisfaction rate is +2.
In that case…
"How many people are there at lunch? Have you washed the rice? Let me do it."
"Ah?" Wu Lan was stunned: "Don't you want to take a break?"
The seventh cousin couldn't help but glance at her, thinking, I've been living in the city for many years, and now I come across such delicious food, if I don't try it, am I waiting for you to ruin it with your cooking skills
Without saying a word, he entered the kitchen: "Hurry up, Song Tan, bring in all my seasonings!"
"Pay attention to my jar of fermented bean paste—niece-in-law, have you cooked the pork you bought? If you're done, bring it over so I can slice it. I'll use the onion fermented bean paste to stir-fry the pork at noon! I see you bought a lot of onions."
Of course, onions are cheap!
"And these bamboo shoots, peel them quickly! Don't throw away the tender skin outside, I'll cut them into cubes and stir-fry them with chili peppers and garlic cloves as a side dish, perfect with rice."
"Oh, right, time is running out, so don't keep the slightly older bamboo shoots. We don't have time to clean them up, so just throw them away. Otherwise, those people will eat so fast that they may swallow the food without chewing it thoroughly, which will be troublesome."
Older bamboo shoots have higher fiber content, sharp edges and are chewy when eaten. They have a different flavor than tender bamboo shoots, but they are not very easy to digest.
It is not suitable for today's fast food occasions.
When the seventh cousin made a move, he held the spatula as if he was holding the imperial seal, and he would cook whatever he said.
Wu Lan was stunned for a moment, then raised his voice:
"Qiao Qiao! Qiao Qiao! Come and help your seventh cousin!"
Although nowadays apprentices don’t have to serve their masters like apprentices in ancient times, they still have to show this positive attitude, right
Wulan is very active.
Uncle Seven thought of the crying kid sitting in the car, and his temper suddenly faded: "Forget it, let him rest first, he must be exhausted this morning."
Aren't you tired
That guy! He was crying in the car, sobbing non-stop, and even after wiping away his tears, he still couldn't help sobbing.
This kitchen is so small, it would be a waste if one more person came.
"It's almost noon, we can't afford to cause more trouble, let the silly kid rest."
My seventh cousin is very considerate.
However, his words were euphemistic, and Wulan didn't know the cause and effect. At this moment, he was secretly happy in his heart:
Is my Qiao Qiao so likable? After just one meeting, Uncle Qi felt sorry for her - Oh, this master deserves it!
The two looked at each other and were both happy.
…
There are two earthen stoves, one for cooking and the other for making meals, so the efficiency is still a bit low.
Uncle Seven turned his attention to the gas stove beside him, but Wu Lan was startled:
"Uncle, let's use the clay stove for lunch today. The gas we bought this time is of poor quality. The fire always fails to start halfway through cooking."
She wanted to demonstrate it to her cousin, but she couldn't get any fire to light after trying the switch for a long time, and she couldn't get any fire to light the cigarette even with a lighter.
After thinking for a while, he shouted loudly again: "Tan Tan! Tan Tan!"
"Tan Tan, come here and roll this gas tank on the ground twice."
Song Tan: …
This operation is dangerous no matter how you look at it, but everyone is accustomed to it and doesn't take it seriously.
Seeing her seventh cousin frowning as he picked and chose the small pot, she felt relieved.
Fortunately, since my seventh uncle is still around, we basically won’t need to use this gas stove anymore.
But no matter what, with so many people at noon, sometimes the dishes need to be blanched, so we still have to set up a special pot.
Therefore, she unscrewed the gas tank neatly, then carried it to the yard and rolled it around twice.
Just as I picked up the gas stove, I saw two aunties coming down the mountain to go to the toilet.
People's eyes stayed on her tall and thin body for a moment, and then moved to the gas tank she was holding in one hand like a kettle.
After a brief silence, the two hurried into the bathroom, muttering:
"I said lunch would be delicious. Look how well-fed this girl is!"
Song Tan:
Has the reputation of her delicious food spread by now