Looking at Jiang Yu again, his technique in handling fish heads and chopped chili wasn’t much different from Lu Jinseng’s.
If there was any difference, it was that while marinating the fish head, besides using cooking wine and ginger, he also evenly spread a layer of previously prepared sauce over the fish head.
When the chopped chili was cooked to a fragrant stage, he also started to plate the fish head and covered it with chopped chili.
However, before the fish went into the stear, Jiang Yu did one more step, which was to cover the plate with a layer of plastic wrap and poke so small holes in the wrap with a toothpick.
Seeing Jiang Yu’s actions, Lu Jinseng started laughing, nodding as he said:
"Chopped chili fish head is a stead dish, and the steam will condense back into the plate. As a result, there’ll be too much broth, and the stead fish’s broth has a fishy sll, which can ruin the dish’s overall flavor.
We usually pour out the excess broth from steaming or handle it in other ways.
Boss Xiao Jiang using plastic wrap to cover the plate is also a thod; it prevents the steam from condensing back while allowing the fish’s fishiness to dissipate."
The thod Jiang Yu used wasn’t new; it had been employed long ago. Lu Jinseng explained it mainly for Hu Zhihai and others to hear, since they don’t cook and wouldn’t know these things.
"Fish cooks easily; can it be eaten after steaming it for a while?"
Hu Zhihai noticed Jiang Yu had also put the fish head on to steam, and his eyes glead as he stared at the steaming large pot.
"Yeah, it should be done after steaming for about ten minutes."
Lu Jinseng was in a good mood today, he replied with a laugh,
"However, Boss Xiao Jiang wrapped it with plastic wrap, so the temperature will be slightly higher, and it’ll cook faster. He put it on later than I did, so they should finish at about the sa ti."
After a pause, he added,
"The fish shouldn’t be stead for too long, or the moisture in the flesh will evaporate, making it tough and dry, not tasty at all."
"Oh, so that’s how it is."
Hu Zhihai nodded randomly, thinking to himself, there’s so much to know about making a dish.
But usually, he was only responsible for eating, not making dishes, so he didn’t need to understand these things. He only needed to know if the dish tasted good.
As long as Jiang Yu was around, he didn’t need to worry about not having sothing delicious to eat, right?
While they were chatting, Jiang Yu wasn’t idle either. He handled the remaining fish body, cutting it into small pieces with a knife.
Next, he used cooking wine, ginger, and his own sauce to marinate the fish pieces, covered them with plastic wrap, and put them in the refrigerator.
The two big fish heads were enough for everyone in the store; the fish pieces could be saved for later when they wanted to eat them.
Once Jiang Yu was done with these tasks, the fish head was almost done steaming.
Lu Jinseng stepped forward and lifted the pot lid, and a cloud of white steam mixed with a rich aroma quickly filled the small shop.
After taking out the fish head, he poured off the excess broth in the plate and sprinkled green onions and white sesa seeds over the fish head.
Next, he heated a small spoon of hot oil and poured it over the fish head.
The mont the hot oil t the green onions and sesa seeds, there was a sizzling sound, and the fragrance of the sesa and green onions, mingling with the spicy aroma of the chopped chili, filled the whole room.
"Wow! It looks delicious!"
Hu Zhihai’s chubby face turned red, and his eyes widened.
Lu Jinseng’s dish of chopped chili fish head was vibrant in color, with the whole plate dotted with the shiny red chopped chili at first glance.
The tender, smooth, and not fishy fish head was hidden beneath the chopped chili, resembling "a spot of white amidst the red."
Topped with green onion garnish and white sesa, it was enough to make anyone salivate and their fingers itch with just one look.
If not for a shred of rationality left in his mind, Hu Zhihai might have already rushed up to have a feast!
Not just Hu Zhihai, even Yan Tongtong and others standing behind him were blushing and swallowing constantly.
Even though Lu Chunming and Lu Shuwu siblings could occasionally eat this dish, they couldn’t help looking envious and eager at this mont.
Who wouldn’t want to taste the signature Xiang Cuisine dish made by a Xiang Cuisine master?
Seeing everyone showing their craving, Lu Jinseng laughed it off, saying:
"Just hold on for a little bit longer. Once Boss Xiao Jiang and I have tasted each other’s dishes, you can start eating."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Yu also took his fish head out of the pot.
Maybe because the plastic wrap sealed it, the aroma of the chopped chili fish head on his plate wasn’t as overpowering.
With a few swift movents, Jiang Yu tore off the plastic wrap, sprinkled chopped spring onions over the fish head, drizzled with so stead fish soy sauce, and finally poured a spoonful of hot oil over it.
It was only at this point that the rich aroma of the chopped chili fish head truly burst forth.
But everyone could clearly distinguish that although Jiang Yu’s chopped chili fish head was also very aromatic, the scent was noticeably different from Lu Jinseng’s, making it impossible to resist a sudden surge of appetite and hunger.
"Gugugu!"
Suddenly, the sound of a stomach growling clearly reached everyone’s ears, and they turned to look. They saw Hu Zhihai rubbing his belly, sheepishly smiling and saying,
"Hehe, sorry, I digest quickly and accidentally got hungry again."
"Haha, young people eat a bit more; it’s perfectly normal. When I was your age, I had to eat four or five als a day!"
Lu Jinseng laughed and comnted, then turned to Jiang Yu with a satisfied look, smiling as he said,
"Boss Xiao Jiang, we’ve both made the chopped chili fish head. How about we taste each other’s dishes?
Also, let my granddaughter have a taste. Although she’s not a gourt, her ability to appreciate food is no less than any gourt’s!"
"Sure, Grandpa Lu, you go first."
Jiang Yu smiled confidently, his face full of assurance.
This confidence was more about the backing of the Gourt System than trust in his culinary skills.
In truth, he felt sowhat fortunate that Lu Jinseng chose to make the chopped chili fish head instead of other Xiang Cuisine dishes.
Chopped chili fish head is stead, requiring only the fish head to be cut and topped with chopped chilies before steaming, a thod extrely simple.
Thus, his disadvantages in skills like knife work, wok handling, and flipping were almost negated.
If Lu Jinseng had chosen to make quick stir-fried dishes like Bandit Liver or Pickled Chili Chicken Gizzards, even with the system’s recipe, Jiang Yu might not have been able to compete with a first-rate Xiang Cuisine master in all culinary aspects.
After listening to Jiang Yu, Lu Jinseng didn’t hold back. He took a pair of clean chopsticks from the side, picked a small piece of fish from Jiang Yu’s dish, and put it in his mouth.
As soon as the fish entered his mouth, Lu Jinseng couldn’t help but close his eyes as his eyebrows began to twitch uncontrollably...
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