novelslam Chapter 135 Family Members Seek Advice
Chapter 135 Family Members Seek Advice
Seeing that the old man was quite old, Chen Yuan guessed that he wouldn't remember after being told once, so he borrowed a piece of paper and carefully wrote down the steps for making porridge.
The old man thanked him profusely, and the two became acquainted because of a bowl of porridge.
Through their conversation, Chen Yuan learned that the old man's wife had fallen at home and broken her leg, requiring hospitalization.
Since getting married, the old man has never lifted a finger to do housework. He's not even used his hands to cook porridge, let alone wash dishes.
Now that his wife has fallen ill, he has gone from being the one being cared for to caring for others. Naturally, he knows nothing and can't do anything well.
Chen Yuan comforted him with a few words.
As the millet porridge cooks, the aroma grows stronger over time.
Several people cooking in the communal kitchen nearby would occasionally glance over, but no one spoke.
Wait 40 minutes, and then lift the lid.
A rich and pure aroma of millet filled the entire kitchen.
The porridge in the pot is golden and thick, with a thick layer of amber rice oil on the surface. When you scoop it up with a spoon, the rice paste can even be stretched into threads.
Chen Yuan ladled out a small bowl and handed it over.
"Sir, please try some. How's the porridge?"
The old man took it with both hands and took a sip.
"Yes, yes, yes! It's delicious! This porridge is so good! It's better than any millet porridge I've ever had, it's so fragrant!"
Chen Yuan said, "I didn't soak the millet today, so it's cooked directly and the taste isn't the best yet. Remember to soak it early tomorrow, and it will taste even better then."
The old man said, "Oh, young man, how can I possibly thank you enough?"
Chen Yuan waved his hand.
"Grandpa, please take it over here. Give some to the aunt while it's hot. If you can't finish this whole pot at once, put it in the refrigerator and reheat it the next day."
"Okay, okay, young man, thank you so much! There are still many kind people in the world!"
The old man was overjoyed.
Not knowing how to thank Chen Yuan, she suggested saving a bowl for Chen Yuan's father.
Chen Yuan accepted it without much hesitation.
He didn't care about the bowl of porridge; he just wanted to make the old man feel better.
The old man put the porridge into a thermos and walked out, his steps much lighter than when he came.
At this moment, the system in Chen Yuan's mind started beeping again.
[Congratulations, host, on successfully completing the mission.]
[A comprehensive guide to culinary knowledge (world-class), rewards awarded.]
In that very instant.
Chen Yuan's vision went black, as if something had entered his brain.
After a few breaths, his brain finally returned to normal.
At the same time, my mind gained knowledge of countless cooking methods for various ingredients.
In the following process.
Chen Yuan was more adept at handling ingredients; with just a thought, he could tell the best way to prepare the ingredients in his hands.
It also covers knowledge about nutritional balance, the use of seasonings, and so on.
The system's products are indeed of high quality.
Chen Yuan quickly rinsed the blanched asparagus with cold boiled water, drained it, and drizzled it with a little light soy sauce, two drops of sesame oil, and a few white sesame seeds.
The asparagus is lush and green, and even from a distance, it exudes a refreshing feeling.
The stewed beef was served with only a few simple seasonings.
After several vegetarian dishes were prepared, the sea bass was ready to catch its breath.
Lift the pot lid, neatly pour out the water from the bottom of the plate, spread fine shredded scallions and ginger on top, and then pour a spoonful of boiling oil with a "sizzle" as it is poured in, instantly filling the entire kitchen with a fresh and fragrant aroma.
As Chen Yuan chopped the side dishes, his knife skills were clean and efficient.
The blade struck the cutting board with a steady, even "tap-tap" sound, neither too fast nor too slow.
This series of actions drew frequent glances from several people cooking nearby.
The patients' family members who came to cook initially each prepared their own food, keeping an eye on their own pots, which were either bland or tasteless.
Since Chen Yuan started cooking, everyone has slowed down their movements and their eyes have been drawn to him one after another.
"Is this the young man who helped Old Li cook porridge earlier? That porridge smelled really good."
"I think this young man looks like a chef; look how skillfully he cooks."
Chen Yuan's meal was almost ready.
A middle-aged woman wearing an apron suddenly approached with a soup pot in her hand, her expression one of flattery and ingratiation.
"Young man, how come your beef broth is so clear? It looks better than what you get at restaurants."
Chen Yuan gave her a look, and the middle-aged woman, fearing he might misunderstand, quickly added something.
"I didn't mean anything by it. My husband has been craving beef soup these past few days in the hospital, but my cooking skills are limited. When I make it, it's either tough or not flavorful enough."
"Your clay pot is useless, your pressure cooker is useless, how can you stew the soup so well?"
When Chen Yuan saw someone coming to ask for his advice, he stopped what he was doing and wiped his hands.
"Have you made this soup yet? Let me see."
The eldest sister led Chen Yuan to her own stove.
Chen Yuan looked at it first, then poked the beef with his chopsticks, and turned to speak gently.
"Sister, the beef is tough. First, you didn't choose the right cut. Shank or brisket are both fine, and you have to cut it against the grain."
"The second method is to blanch the vegetables in cold water. Your soup looks so cloudy, did you not blanch them?"
The woman paused for a moment, then asked in return.
"Do you still need to blanch it? I heard that fresh beef doesn't need to be blanched."
"Because you're making beef soup, if it's stir-fried meat or something, you don't need to blanch it. But if you're making soup, you should blanch it first so that the soup will be clear."
"Oh, I see. I'll definitely blanch it next time."
Chen Yuan scooped up a spoonful of beef soup, put it in his mouth, and tasted it.
"Big sister, when did you put the salt in?"
"I added it while stewing, what's wrong? Was it too salty?"
"No, never add salt too early when stewing meat. Salt will cause the protein to tighten, which will make the meat tough."
Fearing the other party might not understand, Chen Yuan spoke in more colloquial terms.
"Next time, wait until the meat is tender and just before it's taken off the heat before adding salt to adjust the saltiness."
"Also, the fire on this stove is quite weak, so you'll have to be patient if you're cooking it. Cover it and let it simmer slowly with the residual heat."
"Quickly simmering over high heat can easily make the soup tough. Good soup requires nurturing; if you rush it, it won't turn out the way it is."
Chen Yuan explained it in great detail.
Not to mention this woman, several people around her heard it clearly as well.
"Oh, so that's how it is? It's really not easy to make a good soup."
"I think this young man's stewed meat is really good. I'll stew some beef using his method tomorrow."
Chen Yuan cleared up the doubts for the eldest sister, who thanked him repeatedly.
At this moment, a young man next to him couldn't help but speak up.
"Brother, are you free? Your stir-fried dishes are so delicious, could you teach me how to make them?"