From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 297 Making Crispy Pot in the Rice Shop (Happy Lantern Festival)
After teaching his younger brothers and sisters how to roll kelp rolls, Feng Zhengming asked them to roll the kelp rolls slowly while he went into the kitchen to fry the tofu.

In order to celebrate the new year, the second uncle and the soldiers in the army were allowed to eat authentic crispy pot.

Feng Zhengming specially found a local tofu master. He spent his own money to buy soybeans and asked them to make a lot of tofu.

Feng Zhengming used a knife to cut out pieces of tofu from two large buckets full of tofu.

There was a large pot sitting on the stove, and oil was poured into the pot.

Then he held the tofu in one hand and the knife in the other.

Dip a little water on the knife to prevent it from sticking, cut out thick slices of tofu, pat the surface with a layer of dry powder, and then fry it in the pan.

Pat a layer of dry flour on the surface of the tofu to give the tofu a protective shell so that the tofu will not absorb too much oil when frying, and also to prevent the tofu from being damaged in the oil pan.

Feng Zhengming fried tofu cubes in pot after pot, and soon a large pot full of tofu was fried.

In the back kitchen, there is a large basin of fried tofu, a large basin of pork bones, a large basin of pork belly, a large basin of pig trotters, a large basin of elbows, a large basin of various kinds of fish, and a large basin of Chinese cabbage.

It took Chen Anbang a long time to raise his head, looked at Feng Zhengming and said: "Master Feng, I actually don't want to go home to celebrate the New Year. I want to go to the army to cook with you. I have admired soldiers since I was a child. They all protect the family and the country." heroes, I think it would be a special honor if I could cook New Year’s Eve dinner for them.”

After all, during the Chinese New Year, the eldest brother definitely wants him to celebrate the New Year together at home.

And in fact, even if Chen Anbang wanted to go, his elder brother would not agree.

Zhang Hongwei said with a smile: "Brother Bang, you have been learning from my brother for half a year. If the dishes you cook during the New Year are said to be not delicious by your family, you might as well not come here after the New Year."

So many things were used by Feng Zhengming to make the crispy pan.

After Feng Zhengming finished handling the things in the kitchen, he walked out of the kitchen again.

"Don't talk nonsense. I've only been studying with your brother for half a year, and I've never even cooked on a stove. It's normal to not do well."

He had calculated all the quantities, and one of the pots was sent to Luo Qing's house.

Shen Rongsen immediately agreed upon hearing this: "That's right, show your skills at home during the Chinese New Year, don't embarrass us."

Chen Anbang had told Feng Zhengming about this more than once.

Shen Rongsen also said: "Yes, I also want to accompany my wife and children to go home during the Chinese New Year. My old mother can also make crispy pans. If I take yours back, boss, won't it show that my old mother is not good at her craftsmanship?"

But Yue Rui has not appeared for more than half a year.

Chen Anbang, Shen Rongsen and Wei Xiuling also helped together.

Chen Anbang also understood that his idea was indeed a bit difficult to achieve.

In the past few days, he almost looked for opportunities to tell Feng Zhengming that he wanted to follow him to the army to cook New Year's Eve dinner.

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Grandpa is right. If you dare to do it, you can't do it here yet. You can practice at home first."

Wei Xiuling said: "Oh, no need. You gave me enough things. You braised pork elbows, pig's trotters, and made Sixi meatballs. I took them back and they were enough for my family to eat during the New Year. It's really You don’t need to get me a crispy pot to take back. When I go home during the Chinese New Year, it’s me, my kids, and my kids’ grandparents who really can’t eat that much.”

Feng Zhengming saw Chen Anbang's disappointed look on his face and said to him with a smile: "Go home and celebrate the New Year well. You have been working for me for half a year. Show your hand to your brother, sister-in-law and family members during the Chinese New Year. Don't do it." It’s a shame for our Feng family to be a restaurant owner.”

Feng Zhengming did not need to prepare those materials. His second uncle said that the army had already made sufficient preparations for the New Year.

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, we can wait until after the New Year. When you have time, Old Shen, you can take my old mother over and have a taste of our meat."

"What are you talking about?" Grandpa Feng heard his grandson say this and couldn't help but shout to stop him.

Feng Zhengming shook his head helplessly: "I have no say in this matter. The army cannot let us go casually. This time we are going to spend the New Year together. My second uncle also applied in advance. As you all know, there was a special investigation before. We will only let us go if we are sure that we are family members and there are no problems.”

At this moment, the chef of the restaurant really has a New Year's atmosphere.

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "Welcome."

He has always regretted not being able to join the army.

I see that everyone has almost finished rolling the kelp roll.

Duan Sufen was also very down-to-earth at work, and Feng Zhengming did not interfere with her family affairs.

Feng Zhengming asked again: "Sister Wei, do you really don't need me to leave you a pot of cake? You share it with Lao Shen and Anbang, and the three of you can have something good to eat during the New Year."

Feng Zhengming could also see that Chen Anbang really admired being a soldier.

Shen Rongsen said: "This is for sure. I have brought handfuls of meat home several times. My family, my daughter, and my son all like to eat it. I thought that after the New Year, I would bring my old mother to Quancheng to have fun and taste it. Taste your meat, boss."

I saw Zhang Hongwei and Feng Shengnan still working hard.

So he really wanted to go to the army with Feng Zhengming, even if he was just doing odd jobs for Feng Zhengming, he felt very honored to be able to cook a New Year's Eve dinner for the soldiers.

Although through station policeman Liu Daxing, Feng Zhengming had learned that Duan Sufen was Yue Rui's mother.

So Feng Zhengming gave her a full month's salary and let her go back early for vacation.

Chen Anbang finally nodded seriously and agreed: "Grandpa, Master Feng, I will work hard."

Everything is held in basins.

Finally, when Chen Anbang didn't say anything, Feng Zhengming asked: "Why doesn't Anbang say anything? If you want to take the crispy pot home, how about I make a small pot for you alone?"

Then Grandpa Feng encouraged Chen Anbang: "Don't be afraid. Try it at home during the Chinese New Year. Just treat it as a practice. Don't be afraid if you don't do it well. Just dare to do it."

At that time, all that is needed is Feng Zhengming, the top young chef, to personally take charge.

As for Duan Sufen, she said she wanted to take her son back to the countryside to celebrate the New Year with her parents.

All the rest will be taken to the army. In addition to the crispy pot, Feng Zhengming will prepare various dishes such as five-spice braised hoof, sea cucumber braised elbow, Sixi meatballs, braised beef, braised mutton and so on.

Feng Zhengming asked again: "Then do you want me to make you a crispy pan to take home?"

Chen Anbang thought for a while and said, "No, did you give me those elbows and hooves? And the New Year's Eve allowance for me, it's really a lot of stuff."

Although Chen Anbang said he didn't want it, Feng Zhengming decided to wait until it was ready and serve some for Chen Anbang to take back.

At this point, the kelp roll is basically ready.

Feng Zhengming picked up the big basin and walked to the kitchen.

Shen Rongsen looked at it and couldn't help but say: "The boss is really powerful, one person can do so many things."

Mr. Feng said with a smile: "If he can't do it, can you all be convinced and willing to stay in the shop and follow him?"

Shen Rongsen nodded: "I really admire the boss now. I used to think that if I learned some skills here, I might open a small shop by myself in the future."

When Mr. Feng heard about it: "It's a good idea. If you want to leave in the future, just tell me and Zhengming will definitely let you go."

Shen Rongsen shook his head and said, "No, no, no, uncle, that was what I thought before. Now that I won't leave, I have decided to follow the boss well, or it will be more promising to follow the boss."

Chen Anbang immediately agreed: "Yes, you can learn more from Master Feng."

Wei Xiuling said: "The key is that the restaurant is more humane and it is more comfortable to work here."

Mr. Feng looked at the sincerity on the faces of several people, and then glanced into the kitchen. In Grandpa Feng's heart, it was also the sincerity that attracted him to Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming's sincerity in treating others is really touching.

Mr. Feng said: "Thank you, I am willing to help Zhengming."

Shen Rongsen quickly said: "Uncle, you are too polite."

Wei Xiuling said: "Yes, Grandpa, you are so polite."

Chen Anbang then said: "Grandpa, you're welcome, we are willing to follow Master Feng."

In the back kitchen, Feng Zhengming was putting things in batches into a large pot and two large, deep metal buckets.

First of all, the bottom layer needs to be placed with a bamboo raft to prevent the bottom of the bucket and pot from burning when they are burned.

Then put the pork ribs and large pieces of green onion, ginger and Sichuan peppercorns on the bottom layer.

Then began to put various materials inside layer by layer.

Elbows and pig's trotters should be placed underneath.

The top layer can be piled with some prepared fish and kelp rolls, then the fried tofu cubes are placed inside, and finally a layer of Chinese cabbage is covered on top.

Each layer needs to be topped with some green onions, ginger and Sichuan peppercorns.

After all the ingredients are piled up, add rice wine, vinegar, sugar, salt and soy sauce in proportion, and finally add some water.

Don't add too much water, it needs to be kept at a distance from the top of the material.

Because during the stewing process, the Chinese cabbage will also release water and add it to the pot.

Of course, when it comes to seasoning, it’s not just about getting the flavor right in one go.

It needs to be seasoned again after simmering for a few hours to ensure that the taste of the soup is not too sour or too sweet.

After everything was prepared, Feng Zhengming placed a large pot and two buckets on the three stoves and started stewing.

Maybe if you make it at home, you can just put the pot on the simmer and forget about it.

Feng Zhengming first let the pot stew for two or three hours, and then he needed to season the soup in the pot.

So after boiling the pot first, Feng Zhengming turned all three stoves to low heat and let them stew first.

Feng Zhengming put the crispy pot on the stew and walked out of the kitchen.

Not long after, I saw my master leading my eldest brother through the door.

"Master, brother, you are here."

Yan Jianxing first respectfully handed the invitation to Grandpa Feng.

"Uncle invites you to attend the trial opening of Yan's Restaurant tomorrow."

Feng Zonggu was a little surprised when he saw the invitation handed out by Yan Jianxing: "Is it so formal?"

Master Yan said: "We can't ignore it. Today, many people took the initiative to come to book a place for the trial opening. They all said that Zhengming helped promote it, and Zhengming you helped your big brother."

Grandpa Feng listened and said with a smile: "Hahaha, shouldn't I help his elder brother?"

Feng Zhengming also agreed: "Yes, Master, I just recommended my eldest brother's Yan's Restaurant."

Yan Jianxing said: "After your recommendation, all the tables for the two-day trial operation were booked. Your influence now is really incredible."

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Master's reputation is so great. When people hear about Yan's Restaurant, they will definitely go there."

Grandpa Feng nodded: "Yes, Lao Yan's reputation is there, everyone must go."

Master Yan laughed: "You two, my grandfather and my grandson, are putting pressure on me. If I don't do well, my reputation will be ruined."

Feng Zhengming quickly said: "No, Master, I believe there is nothing wrong with you. If you need help, I can help."

Master Yan waved his hand: "No, you and Dongzi are not allowed to help in the kitchen tomorrow. This is a test for your elder brother. He must face it by himself. I am willing to sacrifice my reputation to accompany him. To face it.”

When Yan Jianxing heard his father's words, he immediately felt his father's expectations for him.

It can be said that his father's words are encouragement and trust in Yan Jianxing.

Yan Jianxing also understood that when he started his trial operation, he would officially shoulder his father's reputation.

No matter what time of day at Yan's Restaurant, people will immediately think of Mr. Yan.

So if there is something wrong with the cooking, it will damage the father's reputation.

Yan Jianxing did feel a lot of pressure, but since he chose to open a store, he was still willing to bear the pressure.

He was also holding a breath in his heart. He was not trying to borrow his father's reputation, but he was trying to make his father's reputation even bigger through his own restaurant.

Feng Zonggu looked at the invitation and said, "Okay, we will definitely be there at noon tomorrow."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said: "No problem, big brother, he will definitely become famous in Quancheng."

Yan Jianxing laughed: "I will work hard."

After sending invitations to Feng Zhengming and the Feng family, Mr. Yan and his son still needed to send invitations to other people, so they took their leave first.

After sending Master Yan and Yan Jianxing away, Grandpa Feng said a few words to Feng Zhengming.

"Yan Jianxing's opening of Yan's Restaurant is a lot of pressure, and since he has opened Yan's Restaurant, you brothers will not be able to use the name of Yan's Restaurant in the future. You also need to make preparations early to promote your own brand. "

Grandpa paused for a moment, and then analyzed: "Yan Jianxing's Yan's Restaurant has opened. It seems that some restaurants and restaurants will open after the year. There will be a lot of competition in Quancheng in the future."

After listening to his grandfather's words, Feng Zhengming smiled and said: "Don't worry, we will expand our business after the Chinese New Year. Our Feng Family Restaurant follows a differentiated competition with them. As long as we do our job well, I believe they will all It won’t pose any threat to us, and I will make business better and better.”

Grandpa looked at Feng Zhengming and also laughed: "Grandpa believes you can do it."

Today, two pots of meat have been sold out. In the afternoon, Feng Zhengming concentrated on making crispy pot in the back kitchen.

After simmering for three hours, Feng Zhengming opened the lid, tasted the taste, and seasoned the soup in the three pots.

After simmering, some of the vinegar flavor has been boiled away, so add some vinegar and a little sugar at the same time.

The final soup has a slightly sweet and sour flavor, but overall it has the aroma of soy sauce.

After seasoning, cover the pot and continue simmering for another two to three hours.

It was almost after dark that Feng Zhengming turned off the stove, but he did not open the lid of the pot because it would need to simmer in the pot all night.

Feng Zhengming packed up his things and cooked dinner for everyone. The busy day was over.

(End of this chapter)