Chapter 2221: Chapter 2060: Do I Still Need to Teach You? (Part 5)
The three people exchanged awkward laughs again.
"Speaking of Beauty’s Liver, there’s some historical anecdote behind it." Secretary Zhang continued.
"Really, let’s hear it!" The Deputy Director spoke to Secretary Zhang.
"Beautiful Liver isn’t a long-established famous dish. In the 16th year of the Republic of China, when Yu Youren held a banquet at Ma Xiangxing, there was a shortage of ingredients in the kitchen. The renowned chef Ma Dingsong quickly whipped up a dish using duck pancreas, chicken breast, and duck oil stir-fried, which delighted the guests. When asked the name of the dish, Ma Dingsong casually replied, ’Beauty’s Liver.’" Secretary Zhang explained.
"Oh..." The Deputy Director nodded.
"It seems that although this chef was exceptional in his culinary skills, his cultural knowledge was somewhat lacking. ’Beauty’s Liver,’ while pleasant sounding, is a bit too straightforward." Song Xiaodong commented.
"What does Mr. Song think?" Secretary Zhang asked.
Song Xiaodong pondered briefly and said, "Even if this dish was forcibly associated with beauty, it should be called something like ’Beautiful Maiden’s Liver,’ ’City’s Liver,’ ’Jade Cicada’s Liver,’ ’Red Whisk’s Liver,’ ’Emei Liver,’ or something of that sort."
The Deputy Director nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed, this cook surely isn’t very cultured. But given the rush, coming up with ’Beauty’s Liver’ instead of directly naming it ’Chicken Liver Duck Liver’ was decent enough."
"Hmm..." The three nodded in agreement.
"Because Jinling was the capital during the Republic era, Jinling cuisine held high status at the time. Many political leaders had their favorite Jinling dishes, leaving behind numerous anecdotes." Secretary Zhang continued.
"For example?" Song Xiaodong asked.
"For instance, one of the four famous Jing-Su dishes, Egg Shumai, is related to Little Zhuge, Bai Chongxi." Secretary Zhang said.
"Really?"
"In ’27, the National Government Chairman Tan Yankai often went to Ma Xiangxing, where dignitaries eagerly followed. Bai Chongxi particularly enjoyed Ma Xiangxing’s shumai, prompting Ma Xiangxing to research shumai diligently. Bai Chongxi was fond of both shumai and shrimp, leading Ma Xiangxing to modify the shumai skin to egg skin with shrimp and diced bamboo shoots as filling. The broth was made with chicken essence, corn starch, and duck oil, and garnished with a green vegetable ribbon, resulting in a shumai with a vibrant mix of red, yellow, green, and black colors and a soft and smooth taste, which Bai Chongxi loved." Secretary Zhang elaborated.
"Wow, that description makes me hungry." Song Xiaodong remarked.
"Don’t worry, Mr. Song, this banquet includes all Jing-Su grand dishes, and Egg Shumai is certainly among them!" The Deputy Director assured Song Xiaodong.
"Great, great..."
The three kept chatting awkwardly, and before long, the dishes started being served.
"Here’s the Young Marshal Pot Meat for you."
"Young Marshal? Zhang Xueliang?" Song Xiaodong asked.
"Yes, the Young Marshal loved the Pot Meat from Jiangsu Restaurant, and he always ordered it at banquets. Eventually, this Pot Meat became known as Young Marshal Pot Meat." Secretary Zhang said with a smile.
Song Xiaodong tilted his head, carefully observing Secretary Zhang.
By now, Secretary Zhang had taken off her red cotton coat and black scarf, leaving only a black round-neck, body-hugging sweater, and black leggings. She spoke elegantly and confidently about each dish.
Ah, it’s rare to find a woman who is not only beautiful but also cultured.
"I wonder if Secretary Zhang truly understands this or has simply learned about it extensively." Song Xiaodong mused inwardly.
"Hahaha, if Mr. Song finds a dish he particularly likes here, he can keep coming until the dish gets renamed." The Deputy Director joked with Song Xiaodong.
Song Xiaodong chuckled and said, "Zhang Xueliang was the Young Marshal with great influence, but I’m just a commoner. I don’t have the power to make a dish change names through my love for it."
"Mr. Song is truly modest and humble." The Deputy Director added.
Gradually, Jiu Ning Golden Legs, Hundred Flowers Bloom, Beauty’s Liver, Jinling Duck, Jinling Fresh, Jinling Grass, Squirrel Fish, Egg Shumai, Phoenix Tail Shrimp, Stewed Chicken Fu, and Vegetarian Fish Balls were served.
"Mr. Song, please." The Deputy Director gestured to Mr. Song.
"Please, you both." Song Xiaodong returned the gesture.
Secretary Zhang pointed at each dish and said, "Here’s Soong Meiling’s favorite Pigeon Egg, Mr. Lu Xun’s favorite Jiu Ning Golden Legs, the appetizer Hundred Flowers Bloom used when Zhang Zhizhong hosted Director Zhou..."
Song Xiaodong mildly praised Secretary Zhang for her vast knowledge and addressed her, "Listening to Secretary Zhang’s introduction, these dishes suddenly seem to taste different, as if I’ve become a celebrity myself, haha."
"Mr. Song is certainly one of Minghe’s celebrities." The Deputy Director said to Song Xiaodong.
Song Xiaodong laughed along and said to the Deputy Director and Secretary Zhang, "I may not be some remarkable historical figure, but thanks to the Deputy Director, I also get to taste dishes once enjoyed by historical figures, haha."
Chapter 2064: Pity the World’s Parents
"To talk about truly authentic Jinling cuisine, these grand dishes can be quite heavy; locals will say it’s not about the Young Marshal or Meiling’s favorites, but rather about the grass." Secretary Zhang commented.
"Grass?" Song Xiaodong raised an eyebrow.
"By ’grass,’ we actually mean wild vegetables. Wild vegetables aren’t rare, but making them into showcase dishes like Jinling cuisine is quite uncommon." Secretary Zhang pointed out.
"Hmm." Song Xiaodong nodded.
"This Stir-Fried Scented Dry Tofu and Artemisia - known as Jinling Grass - exemplifies that. While Artemisia isn’t ordinary, Jinling cuisine treats wild vegetables with extreme precision, using only about 20% of the artemisia, retaining just a clean and crispy tip. The stir-frying is almost purely vegetarian, adding only oil and salt to preserve the original flavors of the artemisia and the dry tofu." Secretary Zhang elaborated further.
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