Chapter 45: Chapter 39: Perfect Braised Beef Intestines
Rice was cooking in a small pot and the fish was marinating. Zhou Yan started by taking out the beef shank, beef tongue, and beef intestines that his grandmother had braised.
[A Decent Piece of Braised Beef Shank]
[A Decent Piece of Braised Beef Tongue]
[A Portion of Perfectly Braised Beef Intestines]
Zhou Yan looked at the evaluations that popped up before his eyes. To receive a "decent" rating from the system meant the beef shank and tongue were both braised well.
And the beef intestines, which received a "perfect" rating, must be his grandmother’s specialty.
Freshly removed from the pot, their reddish-brown color was bright and looked quite tempting.
"Slice the beef shank and tongue thinly. Cut up the intestines, and later we’ll heat them up with a ladle of the braising liquid. They’re better served hot." His grandmother sat nearby, directing the operation, afraid Zhou Yan would pull some stunt and ruin her aged braising liquid.
"Got it," Zhou Yan replied, already starting to slice the beef shank.
The cleaver tapped against the cutting board with a steady THUD-THUD. A single slice revealed a cross-section where tendon and lean meat intertwined into a fine marble pattern, with the sinew scattered throughout like veins in jade.
Braised beef shank didn’t need to be sliced paper-thin; a little thickness gave it a better texture. The braising liquid had perfectly permeated the beef, giving it a vibrant color that looked incredibly appetizing.
The beef tongue was different. Zhou Yan slowed his movements, and slice after slice fell away, each as thin as paper and almost perfectly uniform in thickness.
He arranged the slices on a plate, serving it with a dry dipping dish and a small saucer of thinly sliced garlic—the standard accompaniments for beef shank and tongue.
His grandmother watched from the side, nodding slightly with a hint of a smile on her lips.
’This kid’s Knife Skills have improved quite a bit since the New Year.’
The beef intestines were cut into segments on a bias and set aside on a plate. His grandmother ladled a scoop of the braising liquid over them.
Zhou Yan began making the Huo Xiang Carp. Having made it once yesterday, he was even more proficient today.
His grandmother didn’t say a word, just stood beside him and watched.
She loved fish and was an expert at cooking it herself.
Whether it was braised, boiled, or dry-fried, she could make it look and taste authentic.
Although Zhou Yan had studied cooking for two and a half years, he’d only ever been her prep cook in the kitchen. She was always the one in charge of the wok during holidays.
But Zhou Yan’s demeanor today made her see him in a new light.
His Knife Skills had clearly improved; you could tell he’d put in a lot of hard work.
The beef tongue was sliced beautifully—thinner than even she could manage, and each piece was almost identical in length and thickness.
You couldn’t underestimate that detail. The way it was arranged on the plate determined its presentation, and presentation was crucial for a dish to command a high price.
He pan-fried the fish unhurriedly, flipped it, took it out of the wok, and plated it without even breaking the skin.
He had even brought his own pickled peppers, cowpeas, and perilla. He stir-fried the ingredients in the wok for a moment, and the fragrance instantly bloomed.
"Mm, the aroma of these ingredients is wonderful. Sour, spicy, and a unique flavor," his grandmother commented.
Once the water boiled, Zhou Yan slid the fish into the pot to simmer over low heat. He smiled and said, "I haven’t even added this dish to my menu yet. I wanted you to check it for me first."
"With a flavor like this, it can’t be bad," his grandmother said, quite approvingly.
The fish came out of the pot first. Then he added the huo xiang, reduced the sauce in the pot, and poured it over the fish. Within the bright red, agate-like sauce was a collision of colors from the minced pickled peppers, ginger, cowpeas, and huo xiang.
"Oh my, this sauce is gorgeous! And it smells so fragrant. Huo Xiang Carp... it looks like you’ve really mastered it," his grandmother exclaimed, her eyes lighting up in admiration.
"The pork ribs are ready too. Could you take the two braised dishes to the table and call Uncle and Momo to come eat? I’ll bring the fish out in a minute. Once I heat up the beef intestines, we can start," Zhou Yan said with a smile.
"Got it." His grandmother left the kitchen carrying the two plates.
Zhou Yan lifted the lid of another pot. The sauce for the braised pork ribs had reduced nicely. When he scooped them up with the spatula, the meat, coated in an amber sauce, trembled delicately. The aroma rushed out with the steam, so fragrant it was intoxicating.
He rinsed the wok, poured in the beef intestines and braising liquid, and as soon as the liquid came to a boil, he took them out. This was hot-served braised beef intestines.
"Here, let me carry the food." Zhou Weiguo came in, picked up the plate of Huo Xiang Carp from the stove, and turned to walk out.
He used only one hand and walked with a slight limp, but the plate didn’t wobble in the slightest. Not a single drop of sauce spilled.
Zhou Yan brought out the braised intestines and a pot of rice. His grandmother had already poured herself a drink from the bottle he’d fetched that morning. She looked at him with a smile and asked, "Want some?"
"Grandma, I don’t drink," Zhou Yan said, shaking his head. He didn’t care for it.
"Grandma, is the drinky-drink yummy?" Zhou Momo asked curiously, staring eagerly at her grandmother.
"It’s spicy on the tongue. Little babies can’t drink it," her grandmother said, shaking her head.
Zhou Momo immediately lost interest and turned her attention to the plate of beef, swallowing hard.
"Can you reach the beef? If you can’t, I’ll move it closer for you," her grandmother asked with a grin.
"I can reach..." Zhou Momo grabbed her chopsticks but could only reach the edge of the plate.
"Let me move it for you. You like the braised beef, and it’s not spicy," her grandmother said, reaching out to swap the plate of braised beef to be in front of Zhou Momo.
"Thank you, Grandma," Zhou Momo said, immediately plucking a piece of braised beef from the plate and popping it into her mouth. She happily swung her short legs, then picked up another piece a moment later, eating with great relish.
"The Huo Xiang Carp and braised pork ribs Zhou Yan made today look fantastic," Zhou Weiguo said, looking at the two dishes in the center. He picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of pork rib first.
The rib was coated in a reddish-amber sauce. It trembled as he lifted it, and the rich, meaty aroma assailed his nostrils. He couldn’t resist taking a bite.
No, "bite" wasn’t the right word. With just a gentle press of his lips, the meat slid right off the bone.
The lean meat was tender without being dry, its fine texture blooming between his teeth. The cartilage was stewed until it was soft and sticky, with a slightly springy texture that was absolutely wonderful. That single bite went straight to his heart.
’Delicious! These ribs are seriously good!’
Zhou Weiguo shoveled two big mouthfuls of rice and slurped the rest of the meat off the half-eaten rib bone.
His grandmother took a small sip of her drink first, her eyebrows raising slightly. Then she picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of the fish.
The piece of fish, skin on, was drenched in sauce. The moment it entered her mouth, numbing, spicy, and savory flavors all made their debut. The taste of the huo xiang stood out, a sudden spearhead that harmonized the many flavors into something incredibly fresh and exhilarating.
The skin was fried to a crisp fragrance, but the flesh was still tender. Coated in the thick sauce, it wove together the most exquisite flavor between her lips and teeth.
Huo xiang wasn’t uncommon; the grandmother sometimes used it when she cooked fish.
But the Huo Xiang Carp Zhou Yan made today was far better than hers.
The Fire Control and seasoning were both exceptional.
She put down her chopsticks, took another sip of her drink, and finally said, "This fish is cooked well. It’s good enough to serve to customers in a restaurant."
"Great! With your approval, I’ll add it to the menu and start selling it tomorrow," Zhou Yan said with a smile. He picked up a slice of beef, dipped it in the dry dipping dish, and put it in his mouth.
The lean meat was tender but not dry, and the membrane was soft, glutinous, and flavorful. The meat had soaked up the aged braising liquid, and it had a fine chewiness, its fragrance slowly blooming as he chewed.
’Delicious!’
The Fire Control for the braising was perfect. Too soft and it would lose its texture; not enough time and the membrane would be tough to chew.
Next, he tried a piece of beef tongue.
The thinly sliced beef tongue had a soft and tender texture with a slight springiness when bitten. It was tender without being mushy, thoroughly permeated with the braising liquid for a full, savory flavor. Adding a slice of garlic and a coating of dry chili flakes elevated the taste to another level.
This aged braising liquid was incredible. The spiciness wasn’t overwhelming; it was packed with savory fragrance and even had a subtle sweet aftertaste. It was perfect for all ages.
’The system’s standards really are sky-high. Braised beef shank and tongue of this quality only earned a "decent" rating.’
Zhou Yan’s gaze fell upon the beef intestines, which the system had rated as "perfect."
Having been reheated in the wok, the braised beef intestines were still steaming.
He picked up a piece. It trembled, its folds saturated with the braising liquid. The reddish-brown exterior had an oily sheen. Only an aged braising liquid could produce such tempting beef intestines.
Braised pork intestines were a favorite of Zhou Yan’s, but he rarely got to eat beef intestines. Most braised meat shops didn’t sell them.
With one bite, his teeth cut through the soft, sticky beef intestine. Warm braising liquid burst in his mouth, bringing a dense, smooth, and tender sensation. The texture was absolutely sublime!
Numbing, spicy, and savory flavors exploded on his tongue while the braised aroma lingered between his teeth. It was soul-stirringly good.
’So addictive!’
He couldn’t help but grab another piece. He couldn’t stop.
These beef intestines had to be eaten hot. Once they cooled, the fat would congeal and the skin would dry out, turning them into something completely different.
Zhou Yan ate several pieces in a row and finished half a bowl of rice. He couldn’t help but exclaim, "These hot-served braised beef intestines are amazing."
’Worthy of being rated "perfect" by the system.’
’If I could learn how to make this braised dish, business would definitely boom!’
Zhou Yan looked at his grandmother with newfound respect. ’She’s a true braised-dish Grandmaster!’
The grandmother was very satisfied with the Huo Xiang Carp. She ate almost the entire fish, drank about two taels of liquor, and finished two bowls of rice.
"Zhou Ming is getting married next week. I wonder if the arrangements for the ’baba’ banquet have been made," the grandmother said after putting down her chopsticks.
"Third Brother said it’s all arranged. They hired the same banquet master that Zhou the Seventh’s son used for his wedding, same standard," Zhou Weiguo replied.
Zhou Yan thought for a moment and recalled the matter. Zhou Ming was his Third Uncle’s second son, four years his senior. The invitations had been sent out last month. Counting the days, the banquet was next Sunday.
As a cousin, he would definitely have to help with the wedding procession, and he’d also get to eat at the ’baba’ banquet, which made him feel a little excited.
Zhou Yan cleared the table, but his grandmother wouldn’t let him wash the dishes, shooing him out to chat with his uncle.
Zhou Weiguo sat under the persimmon tree, staring blankly into the distance.
After finishing her meal, Zhou Momo had already gone next door to play house with a girl her age.
Zhou Yan sat down beside him.
"How’s business at the restaurant lately?" Zhou Weiguo asked, turning to look at him with a hint of a smile.
Zhou Yan felt a bit dazed as memories started to surface. The eighteen-year-old boy, full of vigor and spirit, wearing the big red flower when he enlisted... how many girls on Suji Street had cried their eyes out for him.
’In his memory, his uncle had been even more handsome than him.’
"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Weiguo said with a laugh.
"Business is okay. Right now, I’m selling noodles and hot pots. I plan to start selling stir-fries and braised dishes next. I’m finally starting to make some money," Zhou Yan replied with a smile.
"That’s good." Zhou Weiguo nodded, a sense of relief in his voice. "The little brat from back then can now stand on his own two feet."
"Uncle, what about you? What are your plans?" Zhou Yan asked.
"I’m doing fine now. I can grow some vegetables myself. I have no problem getting by," Zhou Weiguo said with a carefree smile.
After being discharged, his uncle had refused the job placement offered by the organization and chose to return to the village to farm.
He said he didn’t want to be a burden to the country, but Zhou Yan didn’t see it that way. This was the country he had risked his life to protect. How could giving him a decent job that let him use his abilities be called a burden?
"I heard from my dad that your placement eligibility is still valid," Zhou Yan said, looking at him seriously. "Are you sure you don’t want to consider working for a state-owned enterprise or the township government?"
"In my condition, I’d just be a nuisance to people if I went. What could I even do?" Zhou Weiguo shook his head, mocking himself.
The wind blew through his empty sleeve, and a look of bewilderment crossed his face.
"That’s not right! Are those people sitting in offices really more skilled or capable than you?" Zhou Yan shook his head, his expression earnest. "You’re a combat hero who’s been on the battlefield, killed enemies, and earned a First-Class Merit!"
"Your courage, ability, and willpower are all far stronger than theirs."
"Besides, there’s absolutely no job in those places that’s harder than weeding and farming with one hand. You can do it really well."
"Your new battlefield can be serving the people in the town government or serving the workers in a factory. You shouldn’t waste your life away on that small patch of a vegetable garden."
Zhou Weiguo stared blankly at Zhou Yan, a light gradually kindling in his eyes, as if a corner of an eggshell had been cracked. He murmured to himself, "Yeah... serving the people..."
Inside the doorway, his grandmother lowered her head and smiled, but her eyes were red.
...
