Anticipating a busier day at the stall tomorrow, Jiang Feng began his preparations early.
Potatoes needed to be pre-fried as semi-finished products, stored in the refrigerator for later use, so they could be quickly fried again when it was ti. The stinky tofu required a batch of garlic and chili sauce to be fried in advance, along with a pot of broth. The Xinjiang Baked Buns had to have the buns prepared ahead of ti.
Jiang Feng had plenty of experience making buns. But the thod of making buns varied from place to place. For example, when making the Xinjiang Baked Buns, not only was water added during the dough-mixing process with a special kind of first-rate flour, but also several eggs. The filling was made with beef, specifically fresh neck at, and the at had to be chopped, not too finely, leaving it slightly chunky for a better chew. When mixing the filling, sheep’s tail fat, black pepper, brine, cumin, onions, and oil were added. This not only enhanced the flavor but also cut through the greasiness.
The technique for wrapping the Xinjiang Baked Buns also differed. While the traditional thod of making round buns was sotis used, more often square buns were made. The process involved rolling the dough out longer, laying it flat on the board, scooping a spoonful of filling onto it, and then folding the four sides over. Later on, they could be brushed with egg wash, sprinkled with sesa seeds, and baked.
Authentic baked buns were made in a large clay oven. These buns would be attached around the pit and baked at high temperatures. Jiang Feng used an oven, making sure to control the temperature and ti for the sa effect.
The preparation itself took quite an effort. Though the stall was only set up for two hours a day, the preparations often required five or six hours in advance.
Once everything was ready, Jiang Feng drove the food truck from his little shop straight towards the hospital.
Riding in my beloved little food truck, I’ll never hit traffic~
In my cherished little food truck, I’ll be ho before I know it~
Jiang Feng was in a good mood. Probably because he felt very fortunate in life. However, as he ca close to the location where he was going to set up his stall, the smile on Jiang Feng’s face gradually faded. The inevitable had occurred. A dense crowd of about forty or fifty people had gathered in the space. It didn’t sound like a lot, but the assembly of people still created quite an oppressive atmosphere.
Jiang Feng drove on slowly.
"Excuse , folks, could you please make way? Thank you," he said.
Jiang Feng made his way through.
"It’s really Executive Chef Jiang, the living Executive Chef Jiang! I’m seeing him in the flesh!"
"Liu Bao didn’t lie to ; he really is setting up his stall here!"
"We’ve missed you so much!"
"He’s really here, alive and in person!"
Hearing everyone’s voices, Jiang Feng’s expression carried a hint of helplessness. These people really had no sense of boundaries. He quickly parked the food truck.
Before he had even opened the window, a few people ca up to place their orders.
"I want a serving of stinky tofu, a grilled squid, and a serving of crispy potatoes!"
"I’ll have one of each as well!"
"Give two servings of stinky tofu!"
Jiang Feng hurriedly addressed the crowd, "Everyone, no rush, please form a line and wait for to set up the stall!"
He opened the window and turned on the light box. He also set up a sign in front of the truck, listing the dishes for sale.
Today’s Specials:
Stinky Tofu: 6 yuan per bowl
Crispy Potatoes: 6 yuan per bowl
Xinjiang Baked Bun: 6 yuan each
Seeing this, the custors quickly lined up in a long queue.
Jiang Feng glanced back at them. That familiar yet dreadful feeling returned. Pairs of hungry and expectant eyes were fixed on him.
Jiang Feng returned to the food truck, washed his hands, and started to get busy. The regular custors’ thod of ordering was remarkably consistent. Each wanted one of everything. This made it convenient. Jiang Feng could prepare four servings at a ti.
Those who had gotten their snacks started eating beside the truck. Their mouths were covered in sauce, their faces expressing indescribable pleasure.
Those in line couldn’t help but ask, "Buddy, how is it? Tasty?"
The snacking custors gave a thumbs up and exclaid, "Incredible!"
"Beyond ordinary deliciousness!"
Hearing this, the anticipation in the queue grew even more intense.
「Before long.」
Doctors from the hospital also ca to buy snacks. Stepping out of the hospital gates and seeing the distant commotion, they were all sowhat stunned.
"What’s going on there?"
"Why are there so many people?"
"Lining up for eggs?"
The two male doctors were very perplexed. They continued forward and looked towards the head of the line, only then noticing that these people were queuing in front of the food truck.
"Why are there so many people today?"
"There are more than those lining up in the hospital to register!"
The two were astonished. When they joined the queue and asked the people in front, they learned the reason.
"We’re here to find Executive Chef Jiang. His cooking is just too delicious!"
"He used to switch his stall location often, and this ti he’s co to the hospital. We just found out."
"So, everyone ca over!"
The two doctors finally understood.
"Executive Chef Jiang? The one with the really popular stall who sold braised at, went to the mountains to sell buns, and even made college students line up, right?"
"Yeah, that’s him."
"No wonder. I knew there was sothing special about this little stall’s food—it’s really made by a master!"
They chatted idly. The two doctors found it quite interesting. Previously, they suspected that this man might be the internet-famous chef who sets up his stall randomly. Who would have thought it was actually him!
"Today, they added baked buns to the nu, which weren’t available the last couple of days," one of the doctors said, looking at the day’s nu listed on the food truck.
The custor in front asked, "What did he sell before? Does he not sell that anymore?"
"He also had grilled cold noodles and iron plate squid the other days. Looks like those are gone."
"I missed out. Guess I won’t be able to try those now!" the custor said with a face full of regret.
The doctors found Jiang Feng’s stall even more interesting. Setting up shop at random locations, with new dishes appearing at random. And the flavor of each was exceptionally good. This boss is sothing else!
「anwhile, at the front of Jiang Feng’s food truck.」
"I’ll take ten baked buns! Two portions of stinky tofu, and two portions of baked potatoes," the custor at the front ordered excitedly.
Jiang Feng saw who it was and couldn’t help but chuckle. This man he knew well: Zhang Dashan, ranch owner of Happy Ranch, rough as they co, with a love for at—he was definitely a regular. When Jiang Feng used to sell braised at, Zhang Dashan would buy it daily and always in large quantities. Ever since, he would buy a lot of any at dish Jiang Feng offered.
The buns were already baked and kept warm in the oven, just waiting to be served. Jiang Feng packed the buns into a bag and then started to fry the stinky tofu and potatoes.
"Boss Jiang, long ti no see."
"Your business is still booming!" Zhang Dashan greeted him with a smile.
"Yeah, I never expected there to be so many people," replied Jiang Feng politely.
"Don’t put those two buns in the bag just yet; I’ll eat them now. The rest can go in the bag," Zhang Dashan said quickly, seeing Jiang Feng packing the buns.
"Sure." Jiang Feng handed him two buns.
Zhang Dashan held the buns in his hands, blew on them, and couldn’t wait to take a bite. The surface of the bun had been baked to a golden brown. Sesa seeds that had been toasted to perfection were scattered on top, and their nutty aroma mixed with the sll of the buns wafted up to the nose. With one bite, the crust of the bun made a satisfying "CRUNCH CRUNCH" sound.
The Xinjiang baked buns were glazed with an egg wash. The dough itself contained egg, and even the filling had a few eggs mixed in. This made the inside of the buns both fragrant and soft. As you bit into it, the shattered crust of the bun, along with the sesa seeds, tantalized the palate. Hot and savory at filling burst into your mouth, the flavor exploding instantly. In that mont, the beef filling was the undeniable star. All other tastes were rely complentary, serving as a backdrop to the beef as the real protagonist.
"HOO! HOO!" The filling was still a bit hot, and Zhang Dashan blew out two breaths of warm air.
"It’s actually beef! This texture, not a single bit of tendon, must be neck at," he said. "Boss Jiang, you still use such high-quality ingredients!" Zhang Dashan praised with admiration.
Being a big eater of beef and mutton, he could discern the quality of the at well. As it happened, the Xinjiang baked buns primarily featured beef or mutton. But a delicious mutton bun needed mutton that didn’t have that gay sll, which Jiang Feng couldn’t find, so he only made beef buns.
Zhang Dashan ate with big bites. The buns were generously filled. They were always this substantial. He had tried baked buns from other places too, and often when he bit into them, the top was all air and the filling was only at the bottom. The substantiality of the buns really made a difference when eaten. These big at-filled buns were indeed satisfying.
Jiang Feng finished packing the buns and advised Zhang Dashan, "Xinjiang baked buns are best eaten hot, while the crust is still soft. They won’t taste as good once they’ve cooled.
"If you can’t finish the buns, rember to heat them up when you get ho."
But Zhang Dashan laughed and said, "Can’t finish them? Boss Jiang, you underestimate ."
While speaking, Zhang Dashan started eating the buns on the side. Jiang Feng continued making stinky tofu and crispy potatoes as Zhang Dashan devoured bun after bun.
Every eye of the custors behind was now on Zhang Dashan.
"My goodness, that guy is ferocious! He’s already eaten five!"
"Wow, he’s still going!"
"It looks so delicious the way he eats!"
"I want a bun now too!"
"Is this like a live advertisent? It’s so effective, it’s making hungry!"
"So fierce!"
While frying stinky tofu, Jiang Feng glimpsed Zhang Dashan gobbling up the buns and felt surprised. Two buns would normally fill an average person. But here he was, intent on eating ten. Hopefully, he wouldn’t overdo it. But with the hospital nearby, at least there was nothing to worry about.
Under the astonished gazes of the onlookers, Zhang Dashan finished off ten baked buns, two bowls of stinky tofu, and drank two bowls of soup.
"That hit the spot." Zhang Dashan was completely satisfied. Then, he picked up two bags of crispy potatoes, bid farewell to Jiang Feng, and left.
Different people have different constitutions.
The custors were stunned too. It was more entertaining than a live eating show. Indeed, a good crowd always brings liveliness.
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