Its been 2 weeks since I opened up my own diner. Only few people actually came back to eat my food again. Travelers will spread rumors about my diner so I better be ready for anything. Some ordered Fried Rice, some ordered Sticky Rice Balls. I wanted to try something new but I didn't have enough ingredients at the time to make something new.
"Can I have Fried Rice lady?" The customer asked while raising his hand. I think I cannot think of a new dish to add today so I had to cook more food and serve them to the customers. I can feel my sweat of hard work. I am feeling proud of myself.
The sun sets beautifully, painting the sky orange. Birds fly up to the air heading back to their nests. The last customer bid their farewell and left their payment on the table. I earned money, not soul stones. Back when I was a cultivator, soul stones are the primary currency. Now, the currency that I have are called "Renminbi". These copper coins can buy ingredients. I thought about it if I visit the marketplace in town to buy another ingredients. For that reason, I had to close my diner for the time being.
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I finally arrived a town. It was at northwest of my diner just passed the big river. Alot of people are working hard for their daily lives and I can smell delicious food in the distance. I happily stroll around the town. Of course people think that I am acting strange but who cares, this is my first time visiting a mortal town. I wear a casual Hanfu outfit that is color light blue. I tied my hair with a hairpin and I carry a parasol. I just wanna play young lady that's all.
I followed the scent of the food and I ended up in a restaurant. I think that if I eat some food from someone else, I will have great idea of what I should cook to add for my menus. When I entered the restaurant, I am amazed how normal looking this restaurant is. The food smells great, the furnitures are well placed, customers are enjoying the food, and oh boy, the view from the window from the opposite wall is breathtaking. Its like this is a rich restaurant.
A waitress welcomed me and lead me to a empty table. She gave me the menu and ask me when and what she will order now. I realized this restaurant is a noodle restaurant. It serves noodle dishes like Lo Mein dishes and Chow Mein dishes. I wanted to try their Chicken Chow Mein. To my surprise, the waitress got sad when she heard Chicken Chow Mein.
She apologies that Chicken Chow Mein is not in the menu for today. I wonder why they banned the food. Well I ordered Lo Mein instead and she gladly picks up my order. I can hear people talking to each other. I can't help but to accidentally eavesdrop given how they are so nosy about it. Two men are talking about Politics, other men talked about the emperor. I hear that the emperor successfully forge an alliance with a foreign country nearby.
A few minutes later, my Lo Mein is served. It looked like Chicken Lo Mein but with no chickens. I was slightly disappointed but when I tasted it, I can chew the feeling of tofu. The tofu is the replacement of chicken. I eat and eat and this is so delicious. I never heard of Tofu Lo Mein but for sure this is delicious. I can taste the soy sauce and the noodles are very chewy. The vegetables especially beansprout is delicious and this tofu simply melts in my mouth as I slowly chew. I am very happy that I tasted a new dish that I never had before.
I overheard that the restaurant is having a birthday party and are planning to save chickens for that occasion. I enjoyed eating their food so I payed for the Lo Mein that I ate and and left birthday card. I borrowed a brush from a nearby painter and used my empty talisman as the birthday card. I wrote my wish for their "longevity".
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As to how to cook Tofu Lo Mein
Lo Mein is stirred noodles. The recipe for Tofu Lo Mein is same same as cooking Chicken Lo Mein but changed one ingredient.
You will need:
Lo Mein Noodles
•10 ounces Chinese Egg Noodles
•1 tablespoon Carnola Oil
•1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
•1 Red Bell Pepper thinly sliced
•1 teaspoon Minced Ginger
•3/4 cup Water
•1/4 cup lite Soy Sauce
•2 tablespoons Cornstarch
•1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
•1 tablespoon vegetable oil
•1 carrot thinly sliced
•1/2 cup onion slices
•1/2 cup shredded cabbage
•1 cup bean sprouts
Pan Fried Tofu
•1 tube Silken Tofu or Soft Tofu
•1/4 cup Cornstarch
•1 teaspoon Garlic Powder(optional)
•1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt or 1/4 teaspoon Fine Salt
•1 to 2 tablespoons Avocado Oil or Peanut Oil (as long as it is a high-temp Oil)
First is to cook the Pan Fried Tofu first.
1. Drain the Tofu and pat dry thoroughly with kitchen towel. Cut it into slightly longer strips.
2. Mix Cornstarch, Garlic Powder, and Salt together in a bowl. Use this to coat the Tofu one by one at each sides. (Add cornstarch if it is not enough.)
3. Add oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Add the Tofu one by one in a single layer once the oil is heated. It should sizzle instantly when you put the tofu. Fry them batch by batch and if the oil gets absorbed, just add more oil.
4. When the Tofu turns to brown underneath, flip them using the chopsticks. The Yofu must be crispy and golden.
When the tofu are cooked, they are ready to be set aside. Transfer the cooked Tofu on a plate or in the bowl.
We are gonna start cooking Lo Mei Noodles.
1. The first step is the most easy part. Just cook the egg noodles in the boiling water for 1 minute. After that drain it and toss with sesame oil in a bowl to coat the noodles.
2. Pour Carnola oil in the pan. Normally there would be chicken but we did cook Tofu earlier. Heat up the pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add the Red Bell Peppers, Ginger and Garlic and stir fry them for 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
4. Add in the Water, Soy Sauce, Cornstarch, Vegetable Oil and Oyster Sauce into the pan.
5. Add in the Carrot, Onion and Cabbage and cook for 1-2 minutes.
6. Close the heat then add the Noodles, Tofu, and Beansprouts and toss the ingredients together well.
You now have the delicious Tofu Lo Mein to serve to 4 customers. Tofu replaces the chicken of Chicken Lo Mein but the its taste is unique in its own way.
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I decided to make Tofu Lo Mein as my new dish for my diner. I can't wait to share this delicious food to my customers.
New Noodle Dish added in the Menu:
Tofu Lo Mein