Luo Yuejiao happily leapt three feet high and eagerly followed in.
Fish, shrimp, and crab taste best when they are fresh; even after just one day of lying dead, their flavor greatly diminishes. Because the restaurant’s business had been slow, in recent tis, Hua Xiaomai had bought much less river delicacies, to avoid the waste of food. The small basket of hairy crabs that Xu Ershun delivered six or seven days ago had all been cleaned and pickled in a jar by her.
After the arrival of autumn, it was the perfect season to savor crabs. Although hairy crabs weren’t as big and plump as green crabs, they had their own distinct taste. She first boiled a concoction of star anise, tsaoko, Sichuan peppercorns, salt, and other ingredients into a thick brine. She set it aside to cool down, then took a sealable jar, cleaned it and let it dry. After preparing the hairy crabs, she placed them into the jar, pouring the brine in layer by layer, topped up with Shao Wine, ginger slices, dried tangerine peel, and finally added so strong Qu Wine. Then she could seal the mouth of the jar tightly and place it in a cool, shaded area, to pickle for six or seven days. That would result in the rich and savory drunken pickled crabs with a lingering aftertaste.
This dish wasn’t difficult to make, but the most crucial part throughout the cooking process was to not let even the tiniest bit of oil splash on it; otherwise, the hairy crabs in the jar would spoil and cause stomach upset when eaten.
Hua Xiaomai moved the jar from a cool place to the stove, took a pair of long chopsticks, and fished out several well-pickled hairy crabs, instructing Luo Yuejiao to serve them while she couldn’t help but murmur under her breath.
"With such excellent culinary skills, I’ve been catering to you lot every day... Not to boast, but in the whole Fuzhe County, no one can make drunken pickled crabs better than mine!"
Luo Yuejiao carefully held the plate steady, leaned in a bit, and the aroma of wine and sauce filled her nose. Taking a deep breath, she turned and said, "Everyone prepares drunken pickled crabs the sa way, so why do you claim yours taste the best?"
"What do you know?" Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes and pouted, "Sure, the hairy crabs are pickled in wine, but each cook uses different spices, and the brine is boiled for varying lengths of ti. The wines they buy differ greatly as well. You might find it odd, but even the technique for handling the crabs before pickling affects the flavor and texture. I have seven or eight signature dishes that I am most proud of, and these drunken pickled crabs are one of them. I dare to say, no one in Fuzhe County can make them better than I can!"
Pausing, she nudged Luo Yuejiao’s shoulder with her elbow and winked at her, "Hey, what if I teach you this recipe, so when you get married, you can show off in front of your in-laws?"
"No need..." Luo Yuejiao, made dizzy by her words, imdiately resigned herself and said, "I’m determined not to learn it. I simply don’t have the talent for it, and it’s such a hassle. If I only half learn it, I’m afraid it might backfire and embarrass ."
Hua Xiaomai sighed softly and asked her to serve the plate, then prepared two more vegetable dishes and returned to the main hall.
...
Thanks to this plate of drunken pickled crabs, everyone thoroughly enjoyed their al that noon, and even when the dishes were all cleared, they still longed for more.
"Xiaomai sister, your hairy crabs are truly exceptional," Chun Xi said as she sucked on her fingers and smacked her lips, "The wine and sauces are perfectly matched. A bit more would make the taste too strong, while a bit less would seem too bland and not fragrant enough. The sauce has thoroughly penetrated the crabat, soaking it completely, to the point where I could even lick the shell for a long ti—how could such good cooking skills not draw crowds to this restaurant?"
Hua Xiaomai waved her hand, indicating she didn’t wish to discuss that vexing matter any further. La i, at her side, said with a laugh, "If we had another cup of steaming hot wine, this al would be even more delightful!"
So, you’re still thinking about drinking, huh? If I also prepare so sunflower seeds, broad bean cakes, pastries, preserved fruits, and pour a pot of strong tea, then you could sit here and gossip to your heart’s content, couldn’t you?
Hua Xiaomai felt both frustrated and amused. She decided to ignore her, got up to look for water to wash her hands, and Luo Yuejiao stared at her for a long while before abruptly asking, "Xiaomai, have you ever thought about taking on an apprentice?"
"Hm?" Hua Xiaomai turned her head back to look at her.
"Your cooking skills are so good, you’d probably hope soone else could learn a trick or two, right? Besides, you’ll be getting married soon. It’s manageable now, but in two or three years when you have little children, how could you still devote all your attention to the restaurant? Right now, there’s only you as the chef. If sothing were to tie you down and you couldn’t spare the ti, wouldn’t the restaurant be unable to carry on the business?"
Hua Xiaomai pondered for a mont, then walked back and sat down opposite her.
"I’ve thought about it. But just look at my age—what family would feel secure sending their child here as an apprentice? Of course, having soone to lend a hand would be great, but..."
"How about I help you ask around?" Luo Yuejiao patted her chest, volunteering eagerly, "You may be young, but the quality of your cooking, this past year, has not gone unnoticed by the people in our village. How could they not trust you? Who knows, once they hear you’re looking for an apprentice, they might even compete to send their children to you!"
"If you’re willing, then keep an eye out for ," Hua Xiaomai replied with a smile and a nod, "Just don’t stress too much about it. At the mont, I’m not in any real hurry, you..."
As she was speaking, two people, a man and a woman, suddenly arrived at the door. They stepped into the hall, glanced around briefly, and then looked at the faces of Hua Xiaomai and the others, as if confirming who was in charge. Finally, their gaze settled on the crab shells that had yet to be put away.
They appeared to be a married couple, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, dressed simply, as though they had just co from the main road.
Did business just walk in the door?
Hua Xiaomai quickly went to greet them, with a restrained smile, "Are the two of you here for a al?"
"Ah, what good dishes do you have?" The man nodded slightly, his attention seemingly elsewhere, and then he focused intently on the empty plates on the table, sniffing, "Um... is that marinated drunken crab?"
(To be continued. If you like this work, we welco you to visit Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian to read.)
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