Chapter 49
The Qi Min Essentials Technique describes the recipe in detail. The seven ingredients required are garlic, ginger, salt, white plum, orange peel, cooked chestnut meat, and rice.
Among them, the most difficult one was the white plum. The white plum had to be soaked in salt water for the night. The next day, it had to be placed under the sun. Only after repeating this dozens of times could the white plum be obtained.
After Ji Zhao prepared the ingredients one by one, she chose half of the fish slices and boiled them in the water.
“The dish is already complete. Why are you scalding the fish? Won’t this ruin the taste?” Chef Dong couldn’t help but ask with a frown when he saw her actions.
Ji Zhao explained with a smile, “Jin Ji Yu Kuai can be eaten both raw or cooked. However, it depends on the person. If it’s a guest with a weak stomach, it’s best to boil it.”
Actually, the so-called Jin Ji Yu Kuai was raw fish slices.
This dish mainly tested knife skills and condiments.
“I see.” Chef Dong was enlightened. Then, he asked humbly, “May I ask who this your master is?”
“Grandfather is good at cooking, so I have been influenced since I was young.” Ji Zhao casually made up an excuse and then looked away guiltily.
“May I ask where your grandfather is now?”
“Grandfather has already passed away.” Ji Zhao lowered her eyes slightly and said softly.
“This... I’m really sorry.”
Chef Dong hurriedly apologized.
Ji Zhao had done the restaurant such a huge favor. The second manager was grateful and directly accepted the large bucket of fish sent by the Shen family.
Fifteen taels of silver!
Shen Dashan could not hide his excitement. He carefully put the silver into his pocket.
After returning to the pastry shop, Eldest Sister-in-law Shen took Shen Dashan to buy things nearby.
Shen Yao brought Ji Zhao to the small kitchen in the backyard.
“What... what’s wrong?” Ji Zhao, who felt inexplicably guilty, blinked nervously.
“Give me your hand.”
“Huh?” Although she didn’t understand, Ji Zhao still obediently stretched out her hand.
Shen Yao carefully examined the wound on her finger and asked with a frown, “Your finger is injured and you came into contact with salt just now. Does it hurt?”
“Uh... it seems to hurt a little?” Ji Zhao finally remembered that her finger was still injured!
Shen Yao gently grabbed her hand and treated her wound again.
“...Thank you.” Ji Zhao smiled gratefully.
“I heard that Grandpa Ji has never cooked.” Shen Yao suddenly exposed the lie she had just told and asked softly, “Not only are you good at cooking, but you also seem to know some martial arts?”
This morning, by the pond, she had only used one move to subdue the burly Shen Lang.
It left a deep impression on Shen Yao.
“I...” Ji Zhao blinked nervously, then asked with a smile, “Is that bad?”
“Third Brother, Ah Tao, it’s getting late. Let’s go home quickly!” Shen Dashan’s voice suddenly sounded.
Ji Zhao responded simply and walked around Shen Yao to the front hall.
Shen Yao looked at her back and smiled silently.
This was good.
Zhao Lanhua was very happy to know that the fish had been sold for fifteen taels of silver!
What made her even happier was that her old man had actually bought her a silver hairpin.
“Why are you spending this money?” Zhao Lanhua said with disdain, but she could not stop the smile on her face.
“Lanhua, you’re so beautiful!” Shen Dashan suddenly grinned at her and smiled sheepishly.