Shen Guofu took a couple of bites and then gulped down the wine in his glass.
"This stuff is spicy; it’s really good with alcohol."
Beside him, Han Shuzhen said, "Not only is it good with alcohol, but it also goes well with rice."
She finished the duck leg she had placed in her bowl and then reached with her chopsticks for the clay pot of Ginger Duck.
This version of the Ginger Duck was still whole, looking much like a large, freshly cooked roast chicken, albeit lighter in color.
With a gentle prod of her chopsticks, the duck at proved tender and fell right off the bone.
Lifting a duck leg gently, the entire leg, along with the adjoining at, detached automatically.
She placed a piece in her bowl. With one bite, the duck at revealed its filling of spicy ginger flavor. Yet, this spiciness was milder compared to the "dry" version, which was both fragrant and intensely spicy.
Paired with the tender, juicy duck at, it was a true delight.
Both types of Ginger Duck had their own unique characteristics, and everyone ate until their mouths were glistening, thoroughly enjoying the al.
Shu Yun looked at Lin Xu and asked, "Boss, shall we add this dish to the nu?"
Lin Xu mused aloud, "The ’dry’ version or the ’wet’ version?" He then decided, "Let’s go with the ’dry’ duck. It’s more distinctive. We’ll also need Manager Huang’s help to procure so high-quality Muscovy ducks. They say the uglier the Muscovy duck, the tastier it is."
The faces of Muscovy ducks have many reddish, tumor-like protrusions, making them look as if they’re covered in tumors. The fatter the duck, the more prominent these growths. Hence, the saying that the uglier, the tastier.
Old Huang said, "No problem, I’ll definitely get you good-quality and affordable Muscovy ducks. Oh, Old Xie, send the address where you buy your ducks so I can make a comparison."
Today, since it was just a al for themselves, Old Xie hadn’t asked for the price when buying the Muscovy ducks; he just bought a few, thinking them suitable. But when adding a new dish to the restaurant’s nu, cost considerations were essential. They couldn’t afford to pour imnse effort into a dish only to make a tiny profit.
Lin Ji was past the stage of selling at a loss just to attract custors and build its reputation. Every new dish required a clear calculation of cost and profit. If profits dipped too low, they would either have to raise the price or remove the dish from the nu. In short, the goal was to maximize profit while maintaining their excellent reputation.
The Ginger Duck was delicious, boasting a strong aroma and spiciness. However, it was different from other spicy dishes at the restaurant, like the dry-fried chicken pieces. The Ginger Duck’s fragrance ca from sesa oil, and its heat from ginger. In Chinese cooking, these two ingredients are typically used as flavorings or garnishes. They are rarely featured as main components. Therefore, this dish offered a novel experience. Its unique, spicy flavor unconsciously stimulated the appetite and whetted cravings.
Initially, it didn’t feel spicy. But after a while, one would realize that fine beads of sweat had ford on their forehead.
After eating a few pieces of duck at, Lin Xu picked up so ginger slices that had been fried to a golden brown at the bottom of the clay pot. He took a small bite, and his eyes lit up. "This ginger is surprisingly delicious! You all should try it."
The duck at and broth were incredibly spicy, yet the ginger slices themselves were full of aroma. No wonder people online say that when you eat Ginger Duck, you don’t even spare the ginger slices. They taste so good, how could you possibly pass them up?
Lin Xu thought that just the ginger slices from the pot would be enough to go with several bowls of rice.
"Really? Tricking kids into eating ginger is supposed to give them nightmares, you know!" Shen Baobao adopted an "I’m not a three-year-old, don’t try to fool " stance. Yet, as others also praised how tasty the ginger slices were, her curiosity got the better of her.
She could handle the flavor of ginger but not eating the actual pieces, as it would make her gag. That’s why, when the restaurant kitchen prepared dishes for her, they either cut the ginger into large, easily identifiable pieces or used ginger juice instead. Now, seeing everyone else enjoying it so much, she felt an urge to challenge herself.
If I’m being tricked, then so be it, she thought. The worst that can happen is I’ll make Xubao tell ’I love you’ a hundred tis tonight!
With that thought, she popped a slice of ginger into her mouth. The expected spiciness didn’t co; instead, it was surprisingly fragrant. She chewed gently, and the ginger even had a slightly chewy, fibrous texture.
Is this really ginger?
She grabbed another piece and put it in her mouth, only to find it was indeed delicious.
"Mom, Dad, I can eat ginger now! Look, I’m not even gagging!"
Han Shuzhen, who was about to gnaw on a duck wing, glanced at her daughter dismissively and said, "That ginger was fried in duck fat; of course, it’s delicious. You’ve eaten plenty of ginger candy since you were little, and you turned out just fine, didn’t you?"
Speaking of ginger candy, Han Shuzhen said to Lin Xu, "Lin Xu, find so ti to make so ginger candy. It’s getting cold. Yueyue’s grandmothers both like a bit of ginger to warm their stomachs. If you know how to make it, make plenty and send so to Yinzhou too. Your own grandmothers should also have so; ginger is good for the elderly."
Ginger candy? The food lovers’ eyes lit up. There was sothing tasty on the horizon again.
Lin Xu had been wondering what snacks to offer at the restaurant as the weather turned cold. Upon hearing his mother-in-law ntion ginger candy, he imdiately decided to add this treat to the nu. This sweet and spicy treat would not only warm the stomach but also help soothe coughs. With the sudden cold snap this year, many people’s respiratory systems were struggling. They could indeed use so ginger candy to help them adjust.
Yan Lin, who hadn’t experienced a al like this at the restaurant before, found it amazing how they could decide on adding a new dish so quickly. She remarked, "Rember to send so to try when it’s done. The winters in Shanghai are damp and cold, and there’s no central heating, so I’ll need so ginger to stay warm."
Geng Lele said cheerily, "Don’t worry, Godmom! Once it’s made, I’ll have Goddad send you so."
Yan Lin opened her mouth, feeling sowhat awkward at the suddenness of becoming co-godparents with Lin Xu, her childhood friend, for Lele. But eventually, she nodded. "Okay!"
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, she turned the conversation to Geng Lele, asking, "Lele, do you have many relatives? If I visit your ho tomorrow, would they mind becoming your godmother?"
"Not at all! They’d love for soone to keep an eye on ."
Upon hearing this, Yan Lin was relieved. However, she soon began to think about gifts for all of Geng Lele’s relatives. "I’ll have Xiao Qing prepare so later," she said to Lele. "Could you tell a bit about your family mbers? It would help choose appropriate gifts."
"One of them is right here," Geng Lele replied.
Curious, Yan Lin looked around and asked, "Who is it?"
With just these few people here, could one of my goddaughter’s relatives really be among them? What a strange coincidence! It’s a good thing I didn’t say anything out of line just now, or I might have caused offense.
She looked around but couldn’t tell which one might be her goddaughter’s relative.
Geng Lele pointed cheerfully at Lin Xu and said, "It’s Lin Xu! He’s my grandpa’s sworn brother!"
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(Author’s Note: The temperature has plumted, so everyone, please take care of yourselves! I can’t manage three updates today; I need to catch my breath. This Chapter is 5,200 characters. Friends, I humbly ask for your Monthly Tickets!)
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