RBCT Chapter 52 Harvesting Fellow Villagers
Chapter 52 Harvesting Fellow Villagers
Malatang and Liangpi (cold skin noodles) hold the status of king and queen in the world of snacks in northern China.
A typical woman from northern China eats mala tang (a spicy hot pot dish) at least once a week.
For those who love spicy food and strong flavors, eating mala tang three times a week is considered a small amount.
Mala Tang (a type of spicy hot pot) has even become a regular meal option in northern China.
Liangpi (cold skin noodles) and mala tang (spicy hot pot) are inseparable.
In northern China, any place that sells mala tang (spicy hot pot) will definitely also sell liangpi (cold skin noodles); if they don't, then the shop is definitely not authentic.
Several famous mala tang restaurants in later generations made their name on the national highway, with Lu Yuan's chicken soup mala tang being a prime example.
The main reason Lu Yuan is launching Mala Tang now is because he has four shops that he is eager to fill.
The overall strategy is to connect the shops together and create a signature area for Lujia Village.
But opening a mala tang (spicy hot pot) restaurant in the meantime was something Lu Yuan had planned long ago.
There is a unique snack shop in the middle of a row of Chinese restaurants, which allows diners to change their taste.
It can also provide more options for passersby who are not well-off.
Most importantly, Lu Yuan had always been eyeing the money in the pockets of the villagers in the surrounding villages, and it was time to take advantage of them.
To be honest, the price of stir-fried lamb is too high for most villagers to afford, and Lu Yuan couldn't force them to.
But hot pot is a flavorful and inexpensive dish.
It's perfect for fellow villagers to come and have a bite once in a while to satisfy their cravings.
In fact, this was the positioning of Mala Tang in the early days. People couldn't afford big fish and meat dishes, but Mala Tang was spicy, addictive, delicious and affordable.
Mala Tang restaurants are different from noodle shops. These days, the price of noodles at noodle shops can't be raised, and women don't like to eat there.
Malatang is different; the more people eat, the higher the average order value becomes.
Moreover, given the nature of Mala Tang (a type of spicy hot pot), both male and female diners have a desire to try it.
"Liangpi (cold skin noodles) and mala tang (spicy hot pot)? We don't know how to make those."
Hearing Lu Yuan say this, the old lady felt very puzzled, as did the other aunties, but they weren't too surprised.
They've gotten used to Lu Yuan constantly coming up with new things, and the key is that he always succeeds.
"This thing is simple. Just follow me through the process once and you'll know how to do it all."
Lu Yuan pointed to the various sauces that had been prepared on the worktable and said, "I'll teach you how to make cold noodles first."
Liangpi (cold skin noodles) in Northwest China all originated from liangpi in Qin Province, but the preparation methods vary from place to place.
Lu Yuan combined several classic local liangpi (cold skin noodles) flavors from later generations to create a special method that made the most outstanding flavor.
"Remember the order: season the cold noodles first, then add the side dishes."
"2 tablespoons of garlic water, 1 tablespoon of vinegar water, 1 tablespoon of seasoning water, 1 tablespoon of mustard water, 1 tablespoon of sesame paste water, and 1 tablespoon of chili oil."
This combination highlights the refreshing aroma most popular in the central and northern parts of northern China. The chili peppers are fragrant but not spicy, the soup is clear and not cloudy, and it tastes refreshing and not greasy.
"Then add the blanched chives, shredded carrots, and gluten, mix well, and then sprinkle with cilantro for garnish."
Lu Yuan was very quick in mixing the cold noodles. He stirred and tossed the bowl around like a pot, and soon the broth was clear and tempting.
"Come on, have a taste!"
The moment the chili oil was poured onto the cold noodles, the aunties couldn't take their eyes off it.
After Lu Yuan spoke, the aunties picked up their chopsticks and fed the food to him.
"So chewy! Refreshing and springy!"
"It's so fragrant and spicy, it's so addictive!"
"It tastes much better than the Qiao sisters' food in town!" the old lady concluded.
The old lady's conclusion was unanimously accepted by everyone.
The Qiao sisters' liangpi (cold skin noodles) is the best in the surrounding area. I heard that the two sisters have bought houses in the city by selling liangpi.
The Qiao sisters' choice of liangpi (cold skin noodles) represents their highest standard for the taste of liangpi.
Just now, Lu Yuan effortlessly crushed their king, starting with steaming cold noodles.
Furthermore, Lu Yuan plans to have them make liangpi (cold skin noodles) in the future, which will have a significant impact on them.
"Master, could you make another one?"
Several braised eggs stood around the outer circle, looking rather aggrieved, their eyes fixed on the empty plates.
Lu Yuan ignored the few braised eggs and turned to ask the old woman:
"Auntie, have you learned how to do it? You can mix one portion."
"Don't underestimate this old lady! Every year at the temple fair, she's the one helping with the cooking! Watch closely, young men!"
The old lady found an apron from the side, tied it around her waist, and deftly scooped up a spoonful of batter to start steaming cold noodles.
Although the old lady didn't follow the process as smoothly as Lu Yuan, she still completed it flawlessly.
"Try it!" The old lady poured the cold noodles into a plate and confidently raised her head.
The omelet vendors immediately picked up their chopsticks and reached for the plate, only to have them slapped away by the old lady.
"What's the point of you guys eating? You didn't eat any earlier, so it's up to us girls to eat it and compare the taste!"
"What my sister-in-law said makes a lot of sense!" The second aunt immediately grabbed her chopsticks, picked up a piece, and put it in her mouth, then praised, "Just as delicious!"
In just a few bites, the aunties finished off another plate of cold noodles, leaving a few braised eggs on the sidelines practically in tears.
So Lu Yuan waved his hand and said, "Alright, that's enough for learning how to make liangpi (cold skin noodles). If you've mastered it, you can teach everyone slowly. Next, let's learn how to make mala tang (spicy hot pot)."
The braised egg vendors felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, their hearts filled with despair.
The soup base for the mala tang (spicy hot pot) had been simmering since morning. When Lu Yuan lifted the lid, the rich aroma of chicken soup instantly filled the kitchen.
Lu Yuan picked up a large bowl and turned to the other side of the work surface, where the seasonings were even more complex.
"Minced garlic, pickled mustard greens, Sichuan peppercorn powder, chili oil, MSG, seasoning powder, a little vinegar, sesame oil, then pour over the soup!"
Lu Yuan skimmed the surface of the chicken soup twice with a ladle, then scooped up a spoonful of clear chicken soup and poured it into a large bowl.
In an instant, the chicken soup and various seasonings collided, and the intensely spicy aroma rushed straight into the nasal cavity.
Lu Yuan then asked the braised egg vendor, "Are the vegetables all chopped?"
"They're all cut, Master!" the braised eggs replied listlessly.
Lu Yuan: "Okay, bring the dishes over."
Using the same pot of hot water from steaming the cold noodles, Lu Yuan didn't waste a drop, throwing the ingredients into the pot one by one.
"Remember the order when cooking vegetables: cook the main vegetables first, such as potatoes and lotus root slices, then cook the bean products, and finally blanch the leafy greens briefly."
About three minutes later, Lu Yuan used a large strainer to scoop out all the ingredients floating on the surface of the water, shook them a few times to drain the water, and then poured them into the prepared soup base.
Finally, sprinkle with cilantro, peanuts, and white sesame seeds to finish plating!
The fresh chicken broth is clear and not cloudy, with a layer of bright red chili oil floating on top, which is really tempting.
Even though the aunties had already eaten two plates of cold noodles, they still couldn't help but swallow their saliva when they saw this bowl of spicy hot pot.
I cooked mala tang once before, and only Zhao Yan, Wei Yinghong and Lu Changming ate it. They had no idea how lethal this bowl of mala tang could be.
Especially after a busy lunch break without having eaten the staff meal, the stomachs of the waiters started growling uncontrollably.
The aunties heard the rumbling stomachs and covered their mouths to laugh. Then they took a step back and made way for the people in front.
"Give this to the boys, look how hungry they are."
The braised eggs, having received the gift, pounced on their food like hungry wolves, each grabbing a chopstick and stuffing it into their mouths.
Freshly cooked mala tang (a type of spicy hot pot) is characterized by its spiciness and numbing sensation, but its main appeal is its scalding heat.
The braised eggs were scalding hot and sizzling, but they couldn't resist the tempting aroma and could only slurp them up as they ate.
The old woman pulled Lu Yuan aside and said seriously:
"Xiao Yuan, we'll do whatever you ask us to do, but you absolutely cannot raise our wages."