bestfiction Chapter 230 Salted Vegetables and Chili Oil
Chapter 230 Salted Vegetables and Chili Oil
Chen Yuan said with a smile, "I'm just adding some free side dishes to my stall. These things have to be made with inexpensive ingredients, otherwise the costs will be uncontrollable."
"I was thinking that with watermelons in abundance at this time of year, and fruit vendors cutting watermelons and making fruit slices all day long, these things must be cheap. The pickled vegetables made from them are refreshing and cut through the greasiness, making them even better to eat in this weather."
Wang Xiulan followed beside her, wanting to learn how this thing was made.
"I only knew that some people used to make dumplings with watermelon rinds, but I never thought they could pickle them. Teach me how, so I can make some too."
As she spoke, Wang Xiulan helped Chen Yuan take the tender cucumbers, long beans, and a pile of watermelon rinds out of the refrigerator.
Without saying a word, Chen Yuan sat on a small stool and began to peel the watermelon rind. He only needed to peel off the outermost hard green rind, leaving the white flesh.
"Mom, cut the cucumber into strips and then into sections, not too long. Salt it to draw out the water, then weigh it down with a big rock tonight and leave it overnight. Tomorrow morning, just add some juice and let it sit for a bit before eating."
"These cowpeas are even simpler. Just blanch them and let them cool. Then marinate them with balsamic vinegar, dark soy sauce, dried chili peppers, and so on. They'll be flavorful overnight."
After peeling the cucumber, Chen Yuan cut it into strips, added salt to draw out the water, then added rock sugar, rice vinegar, and a little dried tangerine peel to soak it slowly, taking advantage of the watermelon's cooling and heat-relieving properties.
As Wang Xiulan worked, she mentally calculated the costs.
"Sigh, it really is cheap. Even the main ingredients and seasonings, the cost of a whole jar is less than two yuan. You have to have a business mind."
While kneading the watermelon rind, Chen Yuan said, "Absolutely! Tomorrow we'll just put it on the counter and sign it's free for self-service. Customers can enjoy it with hot buns and porridge—it's refreshing and helps cut through the greasiness. We'll definitely get more repeat customers."
The pickled vegetables were put into a large basin.
Wang Xiulan asked, "Are we going to be able to finish all this food, coming in such big bowls?"
Chen Yuan said, "Mom, you don't know how much these college students can eat. I'm worried this won't be enough. But it doesn't matter. If there are any leftovers, I'll bring them back to our house to eat."
After the pickled vegetables were ready, Chen Yuan turned around and started frying oil in a pan.
Chili oil was the most requested ingredient, and the system provided beef chili oil.
Adding some beef when frying chili oil makes it more fragrant and delicious.
Although the cost will increase accordingly, considering that chili oil and pickled vegetables are different, you can eat pickled vegetables on their own, but I have never heard of anyone eating chili oil on its own.
Moreover, the version provided by the system is very spicy, and most people would only take a spoonful or two.
With this spread out, the cost is not high, making it very suitable to give away for free.
Wang Xiulan is a master at managing household affairs. Although the beef she picked was some scraps, it was very fresh and cut into small cubes, not much bigger than her little fingernail.
Chen Yuan slowly sautéed the beef in cold oil. The hot oil sizzled as the moisture was gradually forced out of the beef. As time went on, the beef shrank into dark brown, crispy cubes.
After the beef is fried, add scallions, ginger slices, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and other spices. Fry the spices to bring out their base flavor.
After removing the dregs, the Erjingtiao and bullet chili peppers, which had been soaked in warm water and cut into sections, are then slid into the oil heated to 60% of its maximum temperature in batches.
The moment the chili peppers hit the oil, the red oil sizzled and rose up.
The spicy and smoky aroma, mixed with the rich fragrance of beef, rushed straight into Chen Yuan's nasal cavity, making him choke.
Chen Yuan sneezed a few times, then kept stirring the pot with a wooden spoon.
Each chili pepper is coated with a glossy sheen, making it look incredibly tempting and delicious.
When it's almost done simmering, sprinkle on a handful of white sesame seeds and a little freshly ground Sichuan peppercorn powder. Then immediately turn off the heat and let the residual heat slowly bring out the final aroma.
The fragrance seemed to have grown legs, slowly seeping into the living room and bedroom through the cracks in the door.
Chen Youyou forgot all about playing with her toys and ran out barefoot, her mouth watering.
"Dad, what smells so good? I want to eat barbecue, my tummy is growling."
Wang Xiulan carried the pickled vegetables to the yard, covered them with a plastic sheet, and then quickly returned after smelling the aroma.
"Wow, this chili oil smells amazing! I could smell it from outside, it's so fragrant. Where did you learn this skill from? It's incredible!"
Chen Da, who had been sitting on the sofa with his back bent, couldn't resist the aroma and headed towards the kitchen.
"Don't you still have some steamed buns left from tonight? Quickly take them out, heat them up in a pan, and once they're hot, you can eat them with the chili oil. Let me have a taste."
Wang Xiulan laughed and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? The doctor said you still need to avoid certain foods and can't eat spicy food."
Chen Da could only click his tongue in regret.
Just then, the security door in the courtyard made two "thump-thump" sounds.
Chen Yuan dried his hands and went to open the door, only to find it was Teacher Liu from next door. He and Chen Da had been colleagues for half their lives, and their families had a very good relationship.
"Aunt Liu, what brings you here?"
Aunt Liu chuckled, fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan: "Xiao Yuan, isn't it because your house smells too good? What are you doing here? I feel like the whole street can smell it."
"I'm fine, you guys go ahead and do what you need to do, I'm just taking a sniff."
Chen Yuan immediately understood. He smiled and said, "Auntie, stop smelling it. Do you have any glass bottles or anything at home? Bring them over and I'll fill one up for you."
"Oh dear, what's wrong? This is so embarrassing."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. You can go back and get it. Make sure it's a clean glass bottle that's free of oil and water."
Although she said it was a good idea, Aunt Liu still turned around happily and went back to get the bottle.
Chen Yuan took the bottle into the house, filled it halfway, and then brought it out: "Auntie, it's not that I'm stingy for only filling it halfway, it's just that this chili oil is too hot right after it's been fried, and I can't carry it if it's full. You can come and get it when you've finished eating."
Aunt Liu chuckled and said, "Oh dear, how could I possibly argue with you like that? Even if you gave me just a spoonful, let alone half a jar, I'd still appreciate it."
As they were talking, Wang Xiulan came out of the house, picked up a few pieces of freshly pickled watermelon rind with her chopsticks, put them in a bag, and handed them over.
"Sister Liu, please take this home and try it. It's our first time pickling vegetables, and we're not sure about the taste. Could you please taste it to check the saltiness? Also, these pickled vegetables were just started."
"Just wait until tomorrow morning and take it out of the refrigerator. It'll taste great with porridge or rice. Remember to give us your feedback after you've eaten it!"