"Shopkeeper, it is said that the Heavenly Dynasty has always emphasized the harmony of Yin and Yang, and the art of moderation and balance, and in terms of culinary delights, I think this should be even more so."
"Does this dish called Twenty-Four Bridges, Moonlit Night, also embody this philosophy?"
"As expected of an executive."
"Your view on cooking is indeed different from ordinary people."
Hearing this, Sosuke couldn't help but gasp, then he thought for a moment, nodded and said, "In fact, as long as it's Chinese cuisine, it basically follows the path of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements."
"And regarding the division of Yin and Yang, it can be viewed from many angles."
"For example, active animals belong to Yang, such as cattle and sheep; quiet animals belong to Yin, such as lazy pigs."
"Foods with low water content belong to Yang, such as ham and carrot."
Foods with high water content belong to Yin, such as Tofu.
"Therefore, this Twenty-Four Bridges, Moonlit Night dish indeed embodies the traditional philosophy of Yin and Yang harmony."
Upon hearing this, Annie pondered slightly and then gained a deeper understanding: "So, Chinese cuisine often emphasizes that what is suitable for oneself is enough."
"There's no need to overly pursue so-called high-end delicacies; as long as it conforms to the balance of Yin and Yang and does not harm one's health, even ordinary household dishes and popular foods can be the best!"
"More or less."
"Anyway, in my opinion, every ingredient has its own nutrition and purpose."
"Bitter gourd is bitter, but it also has its nutritional value and function, and honey is sickly sweet, but it also has its wonders."
"It just depends on how you unearth the value of these ingredients!"
"Mhm!"
"That's well said, I completely agree."
Annie said, deeply convinced.
…
"Alice, did we come to the wrong place?"
"Mom, no, it must be that Sosuke's Izakaya has been redecorated, right?"
Just then, Leonora Nakiri and Alice arrived at the Izakaya together, and upon entering, their expressions and attitudes were quite different.
"Renovated?"
"It seems Sosuke's abilities are indeed not small!"
Leonora Nakiri found a seat in the dining area near the cooking counter and couldn't help but exclaim.
Today, she was dressed somewhat simply, wearing only a light purple dress, but this dress perfectly outlined her S-shaped figure.
And that mature and charming aura would make anyone unconsciously fall deeply into it, unable to extricate themselves.
"What a rare guest!"
"Ladies, this is the Izakaya's new coffee, please enjoy it."
Bringing two cups of coffee, Sosuke then looked at the mother and daughter a few times and couldn't help but smile.
"Sosuke, it's… it's been a long time."
Alice blinked, seemingly a little happy.
"Alice, coming to the Izakaya with your mother, have you decided what you want to eat?"
Sosuke continued to look at Alice, speaking softly.
"No, I was thinking you could recommend something for us."
"Then I recommend Flame Dumplings?"
"Flame Dumplings? Does that mean these dumplings will breathe fire?"
Alice asked curiously.
"How is that possible? The reason they're called Flame Dumplings is because their shape resembles flames." Sosuke was stunned for a moment, then said irritably.
"Alright, then two servings of Flame Dumplings."
"OK, then please wait a moment!"
…
In northern China, the main meat for dumpling fillings is pork.
Pork is the freshest meat, and chinese cabbage is the most fragrant vegetable; this is the northern people's reverence for these two ingredients.
According to Sosuke's many years of experience, plum blossom pork, front leg pork, and lean pork belly are all top-grade for dumpling fillings; other parts are slightly inferior.
Using pork with a ratio of three parts fat to seven parts lean.
Then, using a chopping knife technique, mince it!
After adding light soy sauce, salt, and other seasonings to the minced pork, stir it thoroughly in the same direction.
This way, the "myosin" in the muscle cells, upon encountering salt, will come out of the cells and become very absorbent, making the meat filling sticky, allowing it to adhere to vegetables and other ingredients.
"It's not Rising Dragon Dumplings' shrimp filling, but pork?"
The temporary worker Erina finally reacted upon seeing this, realizing that this so-called Flame Dumplings were not shrimp dumplings, but pork dumplings.
"Erina."
"You… why are you also at the Izakaya?"
Hearing such a familiar voice, Alice immediately looked up and was surprised to see Erina's figure.
"I've been standing next to you for so long, and you're just noticing now?"
Slightly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Erina feigned aloofness: "Ever since the Practical Training activity ended, I've been working part-time here as a temporary worker!"
"Huh?"
"Temporary worker?"
Alice was completely bewildered!
She never expected that Erina would stay at the Izakaya in such a way.
…
Seven parts lean, three parts fat.
This proportion of pork precisely achieves the ideal quality of lean meat with a slight marbling of white fat.
This type of meat is tender, without sinews, and juicy when eaten.
Because if it's all lean meat, it usually has low fat content, a dry texture, and is tough, so the texture of the meat filling would definitely not be as good.
But if it's too greasy, or all fat, it will also affect the taste of the dumplings, thereby reducing the diner's appetite.
Of course.
No matter how good the pork is, it's still just pork!
It's not to say that using pork belly, front leg meat, hind leg meat, tenderloin, etc., will make a huge difference.
"It still looks like very ordinary ingredients are being used."
"It's impossible to discern any difference between this Flame Dumplings and the usual impression of dumpling ingredients just by looking at the meat filling."
"Judging from the pork filling, I guess it's probably just specially made into a flame shape on the outside, right?"
Leonora Nakiri was secretly observing Sosuke's method while drinking coffee.
In the past, if she saw a chef using such ordinary pork belly for dumpling filling, she would definitely be very disappointed.
However, knowing that Sosuke's cooking should not be judged until the very last moment, she remained expectant.
…
After preparing the pork filling, next came the dumpling wrappers.
Sosuke poured flour into a basin, then poured in boiling water, and quickly stirred it evenly into chunks with a rolling pin.
Next, he sprinkled cold water and divided it into small pieces to allow the heat to dissipate from the dough.
Finally, he kneaded it into a dough with his nimble hands and covered it with a damp cloth to rest.
Following the usual rolling method, he rolled the dough into individual round wrappers, then wrapped the pork filling, folded them in half to form a semicircle, and pinched out patterns with his hands.
This formed the raw Flame Dumplings.
"Pan-fried dumplings?"
Only at this moment did Leonora Nakiri realize.
These Flame Dumplings, rather than being called dumplings, were more like Chinese pan-fried dumplings!
Afterward, he took a unique Chinese earthenware pot.
First, he placed it on a grill, put all the dumplings onto the bamboo sieve already placed inside the earthenware pot, then brushed them with a layer of rendered chicken oil, covered it, and heated it.
"Wait."
"How… how is this possible?"
Leonora Nakiri, sensing something, immediately covered her small mouth in surprise. (End of Chapter)
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