From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 270 A little nervous, details of material selection

The next day, Feng Zhengming got up early and went out for a jog to warm up in advance.

After all, for the other young chefs competing, they had a day off yesterday.

But Feng Zhengming cooked two dishes for two consecutive days.

Especially yesterday, I was making sweet and sour carp in front of Master’s eyes and in accordance with Master’s request.

The performance on the spot was good, but before Feng Zhengming returned home and went to bed last night, he recalled the experience of the whole day yesterday, and he couldn't help but feel a little scared and nervous.

Yesterday, my performance was somewhat extraordinary. When I think about it afterwards, I am naturally afraid of what I would do if I missed.

After thinking this way, Feng Zhengming naturally became a little nervous.

So he got up early and went out for a jog in the cold winter wind.

I broke out in a sweat and relieved some of my tension.

Back at grandpa's house, grandpa and master had already gotten up.

The two old men saw Feng Zhengming coming back from running and immediately talked about him with a smile.

However, when he was about to go out, he saw Luo Qing running over in a hurry.

"That's great. I knew you would be fine."

"What I'm going to make today is a braised yellow dish."

Feng Zhengming did not hide anything from his grandfather.

Feng Zhengming laughed after hearing this: "I went to the scene, you can also go over there to see me."

Grandpa felt a little expectant after hearing this: "Yellow braised squab? Is it also made with chestnuts?"

The master added: "After yesterday's exchange, many young chefs must have been inspired. Maybe some of them will change the dishes today and show off what they are good at."

Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing held hands and walked to the dry rice shop together.

She waved her hand: "No, I have a day off today. I want to watch your game and cheer you on. I'm worried that you have already gone to the stadium, took a taxi to the intersection outside, and ran all the way in."

When my grandfather and master were young, whenever chestnuts were ripe and on the market, some restaurants would make chestnut-yellow braised chicken.

Feng Zhengming smiled and stretched his body and said: "Going out for a run, stretching my shins, and cooking a big dish for two consecutive days is a big challenge for me, not to mention I have to cook a big dish today."

Feng Zhengming replied: "Yesterday, I saw Grandpa Xia Hui and her father taking her brother to make the ribbon to go to court. I saw pigeons being prepared at the scene, so I planned to make braised pigeon today."

Grandpa asked out of curiosity: "This braised pigeon was inspired by the dishes of Xia Hui's family, because you saw their cooking method? Are you ready to learn?"

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "It's not chestnut braised chicken. Braised chicken is a technique. It can not only make braised chicken, but also other dishes."

The master immediately said: "Don't be afraid. Why are you running out so early in the morning if you don't want to sleep?"

Luo Qing was very happy to cheer for Feng Zhengming when she learned that Feng Zhengming's first dish was designated as a gold medal dish.

At this time, the master opened his mouth and said to grandpa: "This braised squab is an old dish and a state banquet dish. In the past, this dish was served in the Great Hall."

Grandpa and Master saw the two people's appearance and walked away first with a smile.

Feng Zhengming nodded again: "Yes, grandpa, yesterday I carefully studied the scallop dish made by Xia Hui's family. Their dish was made of duck and pigeon together. The cooking method is very similar to braised rice. Last night I I just wanted to cook pigeon alone and have a dish of braised squab. I looked at my notes carefully last night and felt that I should be able to make it."

Feng Zhengming said: "Grandpa, don't worry, I will still be able to make good dishes using the ingredients prepared on site today."

When Feng Zhengming saw Luo Qing running to his grandfather's house in a hurry early in the morning, the first thing he thought of was whether something had happened to Luo Qing? Did something happen to her family again?

"Why did you come here so early in the morning? Is there something going on? Something happened at home? Is your brother going to cause trouble again?"

The aroma of chestnuts, combined with the deliciousness of chicken, and then braised, it is really a good meal.

Feng Zhengming immediately said: "Don't be afraid. What's there to be afraid of? It's a good thing that they showed their true abilities to compete. I can also learn more from them."

Feng Zhengming said: "Not only chestnuts, but also some other side dishes will be added, and there will be some changes in the cooking method. Anyway, today we will use the materials provided on site."

Grandpa looked at Feng Zhengming, smiled and asked, "You shouldn't be afraid, right?"

Grandpa then said, "You performed well yesterday, why are you so nervous today?"

The master laughed and said, "Hahaha, Brother Feng, you are not right. The materials are provided by the organizer or prepared by yourself. In fact, there is not much difference. It still depends on the chef's skills."

Grandpa was a little surprised when he heard this: "So it's still a state banquet dish? That just means you have to prepare well and don't make it bad."

Feng Zhengming promised: "Grandpa, don't worry, I will definitely prepare well and do a good job."

This is a relatively famous dish.

"Braised vegetables? Braised chicken with chestnuts and yellows?" Grandpa immediately thought of braised chicken with chestnuts and yellows.

Grandpa asked curiously: "What are you going to cook today?"

Grandpa said: "If you say this, others will be unconvinced."

Grandpa nodded: "That's right, you should use the materials provided on site. I heard that on the first day of the competition, you all brought your own materials. Although it can better show your skills, it is still a bit uncomfortable. It’s fair, after all, if the food is cooked well, it may be because the materials you choose are better.”

On the way, Luo Qing was curious and asked about the situation of the first two days of competition.

Grandpa was a little curious: "What exactly are you going to cook today?"

The master agrees with this. It is true that several other masters and the judges have some opinions on the materials he prepared.

The master spoke first: "It seems that I am still nervous."

After washing up, Feng Zhengming, his grandfather and master prepared to go to the restaurant first.

Luo Qing put a smile on her face and said, "I hope I can cheer you on and accompany you to the competition."

Luo Qing took a few breaths to make her breathing even.

Feng Zhengming asked with a smile: "You know I'm fine, why do you come here so early?"

Luo Qing said: "I know you are fine, so I will come to cheer you up. If I don't have to go to work, I will definitely go and see you in the first two days to cheer you on."

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Although you are not here, I feel your cheer and your thoughts, that's why I can do so well."

When Luo Qing heard Feng Zhengming's words, she felt very sweet in her heart.

"I must be cheering for you in my heart. When I was at work, Sister Wang said I was absent-minded."

Feng Zhengming said: "That's still not good. You should work hard when you go to work."

Luo Qing pouted slightly and said, "I just can't help but think about you in my heart. Will it go well during your competition? And will your dish be well received by the judges? I'll give you the highest score."

Feng Zhengming said: "Then you can rest assured, my first dish should now have the highest score."

Luo Qing then asked: "Then what are you going to cook today?"

Feng Zhengming said bluntly: "Make a stewed squab."

Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing rushed to the dry rice shop to meet everyone, and then rushed to the competition site together. When Xia Hui saw Luo Qing coming, she immediately got together with Luo Qing.

After all, the people traveling with her were all men. Luo Qing finally came today, but Xia Hui was still willing to get together with Luo Qing.

Feng Zhengming also announced to everyone the dishes he was going to cook today.

Knowing that Feng Zhengming was going to make braised pigeon, Xia Hui and Luo Qing walked together and chatted with Luo Qing in a low voice.

"My uncle said yesterday that he was inspired by the ribbons made by my grandfather and others to serve to the court. It turned out to be braised squab. I thought my uncle had thought of some big dish."

Luo Qing asked curiously: "Isn't braised pigeon a big dish?"

Xia Hui was stunned by this question, and she didn't know how to answer it for a while.

After thinking carefully for a while, Xia Hui said: "It seems that if my uncle makes it, it will really be a big dish."

Luo Qing laughed: "What kind of dish did your grandpa make with scallops? Why is the name so weird?"

Xia Hui immediately explained to Luo Qing.

Luo Qing was also a little surprised after hearing this: "I didn't expect that your family is the heir to the Confucius cuisine? Then your family's cooking skills should also be very good? The scallops to the court are actually a dish made by duck and pigeon? Really? It’s about being creative.”

But then Luo Qing asked curiously: "Is the braised squab the same as the tapes your grandpa and others made for going to court?"

Xia Hui thought for a while and said, "It seems to be somewhat similar."

The two women got together and chatted.

After arriving at the scene, Luo Qing followed Master Yan, while Feng Zhengming and the others went to prepare separately.

Feng Zhengming went directly to the materials area provided by the organizer today.

Here you can directly select the materials you will be working on today.

It just so happened that Xia Mingye was also choosing here, and Duan Jinsheng from Jufengde was also there.

When the two people saw Feng Zhengming, Xia Mingye smiled and took the initiative to say hello.

"Uncle Feng, didn't you bring your own materials today?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and replied: "Always bring your own, which may make others unconvinced, so today I will use the materials provided on site to make a relatively simple dish."

When Duan Jinsheng heard Feng Zhengming's words, he couldn't help but feel that he was talking about himself.

After hesitating for a moment, Duan Jinsheng took the initiative to walk up to Feng Zhengming.

"Uncle Feng, it was my fault before. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. It was very rude. I apologize to you."

Feng Zhengming was a little confused by Duan Jinsheng's sudden apology.

Xia Mingye looked on and felt a little incredible.

Duan Jinsheng saw Feng Zhengming staring at him, but said nothing.

He could only bite the bullet and continue: "Uncle Feng, please forgive me. I really didn't mean to say that to you, and the sweet and sour carp you cooked yesterday was really good. I am very convinced of you."

Feng Zhengming finally came to his senses and smiled at Duan Jinsheng.

"You don't need to apologize to me. As the saying goes, there is no first in civility and no second in martial arts. Since we are participating in a competition, we are in a competitive relationship with each other. It is normal for us to be dissatisfied with each other. It is not wrong for you to treat me as an opponent and be hostile to me. , as long as that can give you the motivation to prepare the dishes for the competition."

Duan Jinsheng felt even more embarrassed after being told by Feng Zhengming.

Duan Jinsheng could only say: "Uncle Feng, the sweet and sour carp dish you made yesterday was made with another uncle, but I can see that it was you who showed off your skills in that dish, especially your knife skills. One minute The front side of the fish body is decorated with a flower knife, and it is so even and beautiful. It is really amazing.

And when you put the fish into the oil pan, you use your hands to rinse the oil, and you also use your hands to bend the fish into the shape of leaping through the dragon's door. It's really amazing. I don't think I dare to do that at all. "

Although Feng Zhengming told many young chefs the details yesterday, and when he was frying carp, his master also explained it on the spot.

But now after hearing Duan Jinsheng's words, Feng Zhengming was very candid and emphasized the details again.

"Actually, the main thing is to control the oil temperature. The oil temperature must not be high. If it is too high, it will easily collapse when fishing. Moreover, when fishing, first hold the head and tail to flush the oil, and then wait until the oil level calms down. Then bend the fish and submerge it into the oil, don't be afraid, and remember that your hands must be steady, but you can't move casually, because as long as you move, you will touch the oil surface."

Feng Zhengming carefully explained the details of fried carp to Duan Jinsheng, and even showed him the signs.

Duan Jinsheng listened to Feng Zhengming's detailed explanation again, and naturally recalled the scene he saw yesterday in his mind.

Feng Zhengming held the fish head and tail with both hands, and then his hands were almost touching the oil surface, waiting quietly for the oil to completely shape the fish.

Duan Jinsheng really admired Feng Zhengming for explaining his skills to him so openly and honestly.

"Thank you, thank you for telling me again. Uncle Feng is not only good at craftsmanship, but also has such a generous and tolerant heart. I am really convinced."

Feng Zhengming said with a smile: "Needless to say, we are all young people and we are still in the learning stage. We should watch more, learn more and practice more. If we have the opportunity in the future, we can also communicate more."

Duan Jinsheng nodded and agreed excitedly.

After that, Feng Zhengming and Duan Jinsheng went to find materials for themselves respectively.

Duan Jinsheng found him and took the initiative to say goodbye to Feng Zhengming before leaving.

Feng Zhengming carefully selected a few squabs.

There are quite a lot of pigeons prepared on site. It can be seen that the organizer is really attentive. They are all live pigeons.

Feng Zhengming first grabbed the pigeon to look at the soles of its feet, and at the same time gently squeezed the pigeon's bones.

Choose pigeons whose pads on the soles of the feet are not thick and whose bones are relatively soft.

Then in the next step, Feng Zhengming gently bent the pigeon's head to one side and quietly watched the pigeon's reaction.

Neither does Feng Zhengming, the pigeon who won't look back on his own for a long time.

Finally, pick out the pigeons whose heads are gently bent to one side and will return to the right position after a while.

After selecting a few pigeons that he wanted to use, Feng Zhengming went to choose other side dishes and accessories.

Although Feng Zhengming's small actions of selecting pigeons were not noticed by the young master who also selected ingredients, the judges who had been paying attention to him still noticed his small actions of selecting pigeons.

Noticing his little movements, the judges felt somewhat strange.

Several masters directly asked Master Yan in a low voice: "Why did Zhengming choose the pigeons that way?"

Master Yan couldn't answer the question for a while. Didn't he understand Feng Zhengming's intention in choosing pigeons?

Feng Zhengming had selected the pigeons, quickly slaughtered them, cleaned them, and returned to his stove to start cooking.

(End of this chapter)