Chapter 782 - Chapter 782: Charming Delicacies
Chapter 782: Charming Delicacies
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Madam Cai did not expect the princess to be so gentle and easy to talk to. Moreover, Su Binglan held Madam Cai’s hand as she spoke, even though
Madam Cai’s hands were muddy and dirty from gathering firewood. “Your Highness, I haven’t washed my hands.”
“It’s okay. That’s nature’s soil. With it, we can grow food and crops to feed each other,” When Su Binglan said that, all the uneasiness in Madam Cai’s heart disappeared.
After chatting for a while, Su Binglan washed her hands with Madam Cai. Then Madam Cai helped Su Binglan cook. The latter said, “l taught your husband how to mix the fillings just now. Here they all are.
“We added sugar to the dough when I kneaded it just now. Now that you’re here, we can start making the puffs.”
Madam Cai took out a board for the dough. Su Binglan had brought plenty of flour with her, so she sprinkled some on the board to prevent the dough from sticking. Next, she rolled the dough and cut it into strips.
“Your Highness,” Madam Cai spoke softly, “Let me do it. I’m strong.” ‘She’s a princess and has a noble status. I can’t allow her to do such a thing, right?’
Madam Cai insisted on doing it. After some thought, Su Binglan realized Madam Cai would learn faster if she did it herself. However, Lin Yishi said,
“Cai, let me knead the dough.”
Since he could not do farm work, he would help his wife cook. Therefore, he and his wife worked together while Su Binglan gave them instructions along the way.
“Press the dough and make it even. Make it a little thinner, and then wrap the meat with the flattened dough. Then pinch it tightly.”
Madam Cai responded, “It’s similar to making steamed buns, right?”
Su Binglan said smilingly, ‘You’re right, but it’s slightly different because you have to press it together to make it thin. You can then sprinkle sesame seeds on the outside.
“If you don’t have sesame seeds, you can also use peanuts. If you grind and sprinkle them on top, they will be fragrant once roasted.”
Madam Cai and Lin Yishi worked quickly together under Su Binglan’s guidance. Soon, the couple prepared ten meat puffs. Su Binglan smiled and said, “Next, we can fry them.”
Lin Xiaoxi said, “I’ll start the fire.’
He was sensible enough to help his parents whenever they were busy. However, Ji Xingye insisted, “l can do that.” He could not bear to let a child do it.
“Don’t we need oil, Your Highness?” Madam Cai asked. She would not dare to speak if the princess had a bad temper. However, she knew the princess was kindhearted. Madam Cai felt dignified that she could speak to Su Binglan.
“We don’t need oil because we’re baking these,” Su Binglan said, “We’ll add the pancakes to the pot directly. When both sides are golden-brown, we can remove and eat them.’
Lin Yishi and his family had not eaten noodles for a long time, nor had they eaten meat puffs. Su Binglan had brought meat and flour to them, which they were grateful for.
When the meat puffs were ready, a delectable fragrance wafted through the house. Lin Yishi, his wife, and his son could not help but feel intoxicated. Since the pot was relatively large, they could bake a few at once.
Su Binglan removed the meat puffs from the pot and handed one to each person. “Careful, they’re hot. Blow on them before eating. Have a taste, everyone.”
Ji Xingye had eaten Su Binglan’s cooking in the morning and remembered how delicious it was. Therefore, he forgot everything else and took a bite. Immediately after, a nice, crisp sound echoed.
As soon as the food touched his tongue, he could feel how crispy and fragrant it was. Although it was a little hot when he bit into it, the heat quickly subsided.
The meat carried a strong fragrance from his mouth to his nose. After a few more bites, the tip of his tongue felt a bit numb. That was because Su Binglan had added some chili to it for flavor.
Ji Xingye!s eyes lit up. He rarely spoke and smiled since becoming a general. He was always calm and collected when doing things, but the taste of the meat puff overwhelmed him.
He never cared much about food because he had never eaten anything this tasty. He never knew how delicious meat puffs could be. Although it looked like a simple dish, it tasted amazing.
“Gosh, this is too delicious.” Ji Xingye almost cried.
‘If only I could freeload food from the princess for every meal!’ He could not help but exclaim inwardly. He did not care if the food was still hot.
“It’s the most delicious thing I’ve eaten,” Ji Xingye could not find another adjective to describe the food.
Although Madam Cai was excited to try the meat puffs, she and her husband considered Old Madam Lin and Lin Xiaoxi first. Since Old Madam Lin was still asleep, the family of three felt they should not eat yet.
The couple took a piece and blew on it for Lin Xiaoxi. “It’s still a little hot, so eat it slowly, okay?”
“Thank you, Mother.” Lin Xiaoxi nodded. “Mother, Father, you should eat, too.”
He took a bite and then offered the rest to his parents. Madam Cai felt
emotional as she said, “I have some, son. There’s plenty more to eat, okay?”
Lin Yishi and Madam Cai’s hands trembled after taking a bite. The two looked at each other in disbelief, thinking the same thing, ‘It’s so tasty!’
They could already imagine how good their business would be if they sold these meat puffs. The deliciousness almost made the couple cry. They cherished it even more because the princess had taught them how to make the meat puffs.
“How is it?” Su Binglan asked.
“It’s so delicious that we don’t know how else to describe it. We never knew we could bake these things, either.”
“l agree.” Madam Cai added.
The couple knew how to make buns but never imagined making meat puffs.
“I’m glad you think so,” Su Binglan said, “Others can imitate this, but they will never get the seasoning right. Yours will stand out as long as you season it as I taught you.”
Lin Yishi asked softly, “Your Highness, what ingredient causes this slight numbness on my tongue?”
“That’s chili powder. I only added a little of it to the seasoning. If you add too much, most customers might be unable to eat it because it’ll be too spicy.
“As you continue to make these, you can study and adjust the amount of seasoning. You can also make newer delicacies by using this recipe as a base, such as pancakes and chicken pot pies.” Su Binglan told them everything she knew, and the couple listened attentively.
The Lins could not stop smiling after eating and drinking their fill. Su Binglan chatted with them for a while longer before leaving them a few silver taels.
She said, “You can pack your things soon. This silver is for the travel fees, and this is an invitation card. Take this and report to Su Teng Village’s paper mill, okay? Someone there will receive you and settle you in.”
The family repeatedly thanked Su Binglan for everything she had done for them.
Madam Cai felt like she was in a dream. She held onto her husband’s hand as
Su Binglan and Ji Xingye left..