GBP Chapter 348 Hot Pot is Ready
Chapter 348 Hot Pot is Ready
Cheng Yaojin gripped the big knife tightly with both hands and cut the beef and mutton into slices of even thickness, muttering to himself, "The meat slices should be cut thinly so that they will be more flavorful in the hot pot!"
Cheng Chumo helped to arrange the cut meat on the plate, and the father and son worked together in perfect harmony.
Fang Yiai and Wei Shuyu were assigned to wash the vegetables.
They rolled up their sleeves, dipped the tender green vegetables into water, and carefully scrubbed each leaf.
Fang Yiai would occasionally pick up a piece of vegetable and check it against the sunlight to make sure there was no residual mud or sand.
Li Shimin and his ministers were not idle either. They sat together and helped prepare the seasonings.
Changsun Wuji prepared the sesame paste, adding minced garlic, chopped green onions and other seasonings while stirring, and the aroma was fragrant.
Du Ruhui was cutting chili peppers on the side, preparing a special dipping sauce for those who like spicy food.
With everyone working together, delicious dishes gradually filled the table.
The steaming hot pot soup base, tender meat slices, plump dumplings and wontons, lush green vegetables, and a variety of seasonings make people salivate.
Everyone looked at the table full of delicious food, looking forward to the lively hot pot feast that was about to begin.
With the concerted efforts of everyone, various meat dishes gradually took shape in the kitchen, presenting a rich and diverse appearance.
Cheng Yaojin and his son used all their tricks to transform the beef into various forms.
Part of it is cut into slices as thin as cicada wings, each slice is evenly translucent, suitable for quick cooking in a hot pot, instantly locking in the meat aroma; the other part is carefully chopped into minced beef, which Yu Yu cleverly mixes with chopped green onion, ginger, pepper powder and other seasonings to prepare making beef meatballs.
I saw her quickly kneading the meat filling with her hands, and the meatballs flew up and down in her hands. After a while, the round and firm beef meatballs were neatly arranged on the plate.
Mutton is also fully utilized.
The tender lamb tenderloin is cut into small pieces, marinated with cumin, chili and other seasonings, and prepared for grilling.
The lamb leg is stewed slowly over low heat until it becomes soft and tender. The soup is rich and milky white, sprinkled with emerald green onions, and the aroma is everywhere.
The chicken is cut into pieces of appropriate size. Part of it is fried until golden and crispy, with an attractive sheen on the skin. When you bite it lightly, you can hear a "crunch" sound; the other part is stewed with mushrooms and red dates. The stewed chicken soup is rich in aroma and the chicken is tender and boneless.
Duck meat is not to be outdone.
The duck breast is sliced into thin slices, served with pancakes, chopped green onions, cucumber and special sauce, and prepared to be made into a simple version of roast duck rolls.
The duck legs are marinated with spices, and are bright red in color and filled with the aroma of the marinade. The duck meat can be separated from the bones with a gentle tear.
The fish is prepared with ingenuity. The fresh fish fillets are sliced thin and complete, crystal clear, like a fine work of art. After being put into the hot pot for a while, it melts in your mouth.
The remaining fish bones are used to make fish soup, which is milky white and thick, exuding bursts of fresh fragrance.
In addition to these rich meat dishes, the vegetables are also carefully prepared.
Emerald green spinach, fresh lettuce, sweet chrysanthemum, white shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms and other mushrooms are neatly stacked in bamboo baskets, waiting to create delicious sparks with the meat in the hot pot.
When these various meat dishes filled the table, the entire Zuixianlou was immersed in the rich aroma of delicious food.
Yuyu was busy arranging the freshly made beef balls while loudly asking, "Dumplings, wontons, vegetable meatballs, and hot pot base, both non-spicy and spicy, in a double-boiled pot. Are all these ready?"
Xiaoyu poked her head out from the kitchen and replied with a smile, "Don't worry, the dumplings and wontons are all wrapped and stacked in the bamboo drawer. The vegetable meatballs are also ready, washed clean, and the meatballs are rolled into a white powder."
Cheng, who was in charge of preparing the hot pot base, hurried forward and said respectfully, "Miss Yuyu, the hot pot base is ready. The non-spicy one is a carefully brewed bone broth base, which is fragrant and delicious. The spicy one is stir-fried with chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and other spices, and it's guaranteed to be flavorful. The shabu-shabu pot is also set up."
Yu Yu nodded with satisfaction, then turned to look at the table where the ingredients were placed, confirming that the vegetables were neatly stacked and the various meatballs were arranged in order.
She looked around and reminded everyone again, "Everyone, check carefully again and make sure the emperor and the others are satisfied with the food."
Everyone responded and checked the work at hand again.
After a while, everyone responded in unison: "We are all ready!"
Yuyu then smiled brightly and said, "Okay, let's get ready to feast!"
She was about to announce the start of the meal when she suddenly slapped her head and added, "By the way, there are also drinks, beer, and liquor. Are they all ready?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ah Fu, who was in charge of the drinks, hurried over and said with a nod and a bow, "Don't worry, Miss Yuyu, we've got everything ready. The baijiu is rich and aromatic; the beer is refreshing and delicious; and we've got several kinds of drinks, including sweet and sour fruit juices and cooling herbal teas. They're all kept in ice buckets, guaranteed to taste fantastic."
Yu Yu looked in the direction of Ah Fu's finger, and saw several large jars of white wine neatly placed against the wall, with the red paper seals on the jars bright and eye-catching; on the table next to them, there were large wooden barrels filled with beer, with fine water droplets condensed on the barrels; in the ice bucket, bottles of various drinks were faintly visible, exuding a hint of coolness.
After Yuyu confirmed everything was correct, she raised her voice and said with a smile, "Alright, everything is ready! My Lords, the Emperor, Master Cheng, Master Qin, Master Wei, Master Fang, Master Li, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, everyone must be hungry after all this time. Please take your seats!"
At Yu Yu's command, Ah Fu and Ah Cai immediately got busy. Ah Fu steadily picked up the tray full of fresh and tender meat slices, while Ah Cai picked up a pile of neatly stacked dumplings and wontons and strode towards the stairs.
The Yu Yu family was not idle either. Xiao Yu held the steaming hot pot carefully in both hands, and the mellow aroma from the bottom of the pot filled the air; Li Hao carried a box of drinks, which contained refreshing beer, mellow white wine and sweet drinks, with firm and powerful steps.
Yuyu was weaving between the crowd, making sure the soup from the dishes didn't spill, while directing everyone: "Watch your step, walk carefully and slowly, don't bump into anything."
The group walked up the stairs in an orderly manner and delivered the carefully prepared delicacies to the private room on the second floor.
People filed in and took their seats.
Li Shimin sat upright in the main seat with a kind expression. He glanced around the table full of delicacies, his eyes full of approval.
The ministers sat on both sides, while young gentlemen such as Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao gathered together, their faces filled with anticipation.
Yuyu's family stood aside. Yuyu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, everyone, the dishes are all served, and the hot pot is ready. Please enjoy."
Li Shimin nodded slightly and raised his hand to indicate: "Today is a rare day, everyone please don't be restrained and be casual."
Fang Yiai couldn't hold back any longer and impatiently picked up a piece of beef and put it into the sizzling hot pot, muttering, "I've been craving this for a long time, and now I can finally eat it."
Cheng Chumo was not to be outdone. He poured himself a bowl of bone soup, took a sip to warm his stomach, and said loudly, "This bone soup is delicious. Everyone, try it!"
Everyone started eating, and for a moment, the private room was filled with laughter and the sound of bowls and chopsticks clattering.