Cree's eyes sparkled with excitement as he eagerly asked, "Elder sister, how much money did we make? Did we sell a lot?"
I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Yes, Cree, we had an amazing day! We sold 60 packets of braised meat, which means we earned 180 liang. And guess what? The fufu was a hit too, and we sold out, bringing in an additional 30 liang!"
Cree's face lit up with joy. "That's fantastic! So, how much profit did we make?"
I chuckled, appreciating his business-minded curiosity. "Well, Cree, after subtracting the cost of the supplies, which amounted to 72 coins, we have double the profit! We made a total of 138 liang!"
His eyes widened in awe. "Wow, Elder sister, that's a lot of money! We can buy so many things with that!"
I nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Indeed, Cree. This is just the beginning. With our hard work and dedication, we can continue to grow our business and earn even more in the future."
Cree's excitement was contagious, and we both exchanged a high-five.
Seeley looked at the extra packet of braised meat and asked, "What are we going to do with this, Bellona?"
I thought for a moment and replied, "We can save it for lunch time, Seeley. Perhaps next time we can try a different variation, like adding bamboo shoots to the dish. It will give it a unique flavor."
Confusion filled their faces as they asked, "What are bamboo shoots, Bellona?"
I was taken aback by their question. How could they not know what bamboo shoots were? Then it dawned on me that in this era, people didn't commonly consume bamboo shoots. Only those who were in dire circumstances or facing extreme hunger would resort to eating them, as they were known to be extremely bitter if not properly prepared.
I quickly explained, "Bamboo shoots are the edible young shoots of the bamboo plant. They have a crunchy texture and can be used in various dishes. They add a unique flavor and are quite delicious when prepared correctly."
Realizing that they had never encountered bamboo shoots before, I decided to share more about them. "You see, in our time, bamboo shoots are often used in cooking. They are usually boiled or stir-fried with other ingredients and seasoned with spices and sauces. It's a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines."
Curiosity sparked in their eyes as they listened intently. It was fascinating for them to learn about new ingredients and culinary traditions from a different time.
Before heading home, I suggested, "Since we're planning to use bamboo shoots , we should buy some seasonings to complement the flavors. We can explore different spices and sauces to enhance the dish."
After a long morning of cooking, I couldn't wait to relax and recharge. As soon as I arrived home, I headed straight to the bathroom to take a refreshing bath. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the fatigue from my body. Ah, what a relief!
While I was drying myself off, I heard Uncle Jiang's voice calling out from the kitchen. "Bellona, we'll go and collect some bamboo shoots before we take a nap. It's better to have them fresh for your next cooking session."
I peeked my head out of the bathroom and nodded. "That's a good idea, Uncle Jiang. Thank you for helping with that. I'll make sure to prepare a delicious dish with the bamboo shoots."
Big brother Allardy, who was sitting at the kitchen table, chimed in. "Yeah, fresh bamboo shoots will definitely elevate the flavors. Take your time to rest, Bellona. We'll take care of gathering the bamboo shoots and then catch some shut-eye."
I smiled gratefully at both of them. "Thank you, Uncle Jiang and big brother. I'll make sure to cook something special for lunch. Enjoy your nap and I'll see you later."
With that, Uncle Jiang and big brother left for their task, leaving me with the responsibility of going to the docks with Seeley and Cree. I sighed softly, knowing that there was still work to be done.
"Alright, Seeley and Cree, I need your help," I said.
"We need to remove all the braised meat from its wrapper and prepare the bamboo shoots for cooking."
Seeley and Cree nodded in understanding, ready to assist me in the kitchen. They were always eager to lend a hand and learn new things. We took our places at the table, each of us assigned a task.
I took the lead and started peeling the tough outer layers of the bamboo shoots. With a sharp knife in hand, I carefully removed the hard parts, revealing the tender, white shoots inside. The aroma of fresh bamboo filled the air, signaling the beginning of a delicious culinary adventure.
Meanwhile, Seeley and Cree began unwrapping the braised meat packets. Their nimble fingers swiftly peeled back the lotus leaves, unveiling the succulent meat inside. They piled up the unwrapped meat on a plate, making sure to keep it separate from the wrappers.
Once I finished peeling the bamboo shoots, I rinsed them thoroughly under running water. But that wasn't enough to get rid of the slight bitterness they carried. To ensure a delightful taste, I filled a pot with water and added a generous amount of salt. As the water came to a boil, I blanched the bamboo shoots for a few minutes until they turned a vibrant green.
With precision, I carefully lifted the blanched bamboo shoots from the boiling water and swiftly transferred them into a bowl filled with cold water. The sudden change in temperature would shock the shoots and help eliminate any lingering bitterness, leaving us with perfectly tender and flavorful bamboo shoots.
"There we go," I said, satisfied with the preparation process. "Now we have clean, blanched bamboo shoots ready to be cooked, and the braised meat is all unwrapped and ready for the next step."
Seeley and Cree admired the neatly stacked plates of braised meat while glancing curiously at the bowl of bamboo shoots.
Cree and Seeley eagerly watched as I worked my magic in the kitchen, their eyes glued to the sizzling pan. The aroma of the sautéed braised dish filled the air, making our stomachs growl in anticipation.
Cree couldn't contain his excitement any longer. "Elder sister, is it ready yet? I can't wait to taste this mysterious dish!"
I chuckled and gave him a playful nudge. "Patience, little brother. Good things come to those who wait."
Seeley, always the mischievous one, chimed in, "Well, I hope this dish is worth the wait, Bal. You know how much I love your cooking!"
"I love your cooking the most!" Cree throw a provoking glance at my twin.
I winked at him. "Oh, have no fear. My culinary skills are unparalleled, even the imperial chef can't beat me." That was nonsense for sure HAHA!
Finally, the sautéed braised dish was done. I served it on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of optimism. Alongside it, the fufu, warm and comforting side dish.
With our trays in hand, we ventured out to the dock, where the hustle and bustle of the market awaited us.
I approach Granpa Wu stall, the old man earlier and greet him.
"You youngsters again? I must say, your braised meat with bamboo shoots and fufu was absolutely divine. You have no idea how much my taste buds danced with joy!"
I chuckled, flattered by his enthusiasm. "Well, we couldn't let you go without trying another portion. Consider it a token of appreciation for your kindness."
I handed him a plate filled with the sautéed braised dish, bamboo shoots peeking out, and a side of fufu. His eyes widened in delight, and he eagerly dug in, savoring each bite.
Brother Li, the burly man from earlier, suddenly appeared beside us, his stomach growling audibly. "I couldn't resist the temptation of that irresistible aroma, so here I am again!"
Cree laughed, clapping his hands. "Looks like our braised meat has won another loyal fan!"
Brother Li grinned, wiping the corners of his mouth. "You have no idea! I couldn't stop thinking about it. My stomach practically dragged me here!"
I joined in the laughter, feeling the joy of our newfound success. "Well, we're glad you enjoyed it! We're here to satisfy cravings and put smiles on faces."
Seeley chimed in mischievously, "And we're pretty good at it, if I do say so myself!"
Brother Li patted his belly contently. "You three have certainly brightened up my day. Keep up the good work!"
As I handed Brother Li his portion of the sautéed braised dish, I noticed a commotion nearby. Five men, all muscular and tan, were rushing towards our stall, their eyes fixated stacked of food in our table.
Brother Li chuckled, nudging me playfully. "Looks like my friends have caught the scent of your irresistible braised meat! Brace yourselves, Bellona, it's about to get even busier!"
I grinned, ready to face the hungry horde. "Bring it on! We're always up for a challenge."
The group of men approached, panting and wiping the sweat off their foreheads. One of them, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, spoke up. "We've been chasing this heavenly scent all the way from the other side of the dock! We couldn't resist the temptation any longer. Give us all you've got!"
I laughed, impressed by their enthusiasm. "Well, you're in for a treat! How about a portion of our mouthwatering braised meat and two packets of fufu each?"
The men exchanged eager glances and nodded in agreement. "That sounds perfect! We'll take it!"
As they eagerly waited for their order, I couldn't help but tease Brother Li. "Looks like your friends are just as hungry as you are! Did you tell them all about our irresistible dish?"
Brother Li chuckled, scratching his head. "Well, I might have mentioned a little something. I couldn't keep this culinary masterpiece a secret, could I?"
I couldn't help but burst into laughter as Brother Li regaled us with his tale of the ravenous brats who couldn't resist the temptation of our braised meat. The image of them transforming into hungry ghosts, their eyes wide with insatiable hunger, was both comical and endearing.
"Ah, so you've encountered a group of hungry little ghosts, huh?" I chuckled, handing him his portion of sautéed braised meat. "Well, I hope they left some for the living!"
Brother Li's eyes twinkled mischievously as he accepted the plate. "Oh, they devoured it all, I tell you! I had to make a quick escape before they mistook me for a tasty morsel too!"
Cree laughed heartily, shaking his head. "These brothers sure have good taste. Can't blame them for wanting more!"
Seeley chimed in with a smirk. "Looks like our braised meat has some magical powers after all. Turning regular kids into hungry ghosts? That's quite the feat!"
The men's laughter filled the air as I served them their portion. Unfortunately, we only have no table to spare so all them squat down as they eat.
"Mmm! This is incredible!" one of them exclaimed, his mouth full of deliciousness. "I can see why Brother Li couldn't stop raving about it!"
I couldn't help but beam with pride. "Glad you're enjoying it!"
As the men devoured their meals, their satisfied expressions were proof enough that our sautéed braised dish was a hit once again. The dock seemed to buzz with excitement, as word of our delectable creations spread like wildfire.
Brother Li, his belly happily full, patted me on the back. "Bellona, my friend, you've created a culinary sensation here! People can't get enough of your magical cooking."
I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. "Who would've thought that a simple stall like ours could attract such a crowd? But hey, we're in the business of making people happy, one tasty bite at a time!"
A plump man dressed in a vibrant blue cotton robe caught our attention. Brother Li's eyes widened with recognition, and he quickly straightened up, preparing to greet the approaching figure.
"Ah, Brother Shi!" Brother Li exclaimed, bowing respectfully. "What a pleasant surprise!"
The man, whose surname was Shi was a middle-scaled merchant in the docks, returned the greeting with a warm smile. "Brother Li, I see you've found yourself a new venture here. What delicacy are you offering to the eager patrons?"
Brother Li, his voice filled with pride, turned to me and gestured. "Allow me to introduce you to the culinary genius behind this success—Bellona! She has concocted an extraordinary sautéed braised dish using pig offal and bamboo shoots."
I blushed, feeling a mixture of flattery and amusement at Brother Li's exaggerated introduction. "Oh, it's nothing too fancy, just a little touch of magic in the kitchen."
Merchant Shi's eyes widened with intrigue. "Pig offal and bamboo shoots, you say? That's quite an interesting combination. Tell me, how did you come up with such an innovative idea?"
I grinned mischievously, ready to entertain him with our culinary tale. "Well, you see, it all started when we stumbled upon a forgotten recipe in an ancient cookbook. We decided to put our own spin on it, adding the flavorful bamboo shoots to enhance the dish's texture and aroma. And voila! The sautéed braised dish was born!"
Merchant Shi chuckled, his curiosity piqued. "Well, I must say, I'm impressed by your speech. It takes a true master to create something unique from humble ingredients. I'll have to try it for myself!"
Merchant Shi gestured his pageboy to buy two portions but the latter stood there in disbelief. As he watched as his pageboy hesitated at the sight of our sautéed braised dish, his face contorted in disbelief.
"Buy? But, Master Shi, pig offal is... it's dirty and stinky!" the pageboy protested, his nose wrinkling in distaste.
Merchant Shi's eyes narrowed, a mischievous glint sparkling within them. "Y-you ignorant! What kind of adventurous eater are you if you've never tasted the peculiar delicacies this world has to offer? I have traveled far and wide, even to the northern regions where even the lowly worm can be considered a delicacy. And here you are, dismissing something as simple as pig offal?"
The pageboy's expression softened, his curiosity getting the better of him. "But Master Shi, I... I've never had the opportunity to try such... unique dishes."
Merchant Shi chuckled, patting the pageboy's shoulder reassuringly. "Well, today is your lucky day. You see, my esteemed brother here," he pointed at Brother Li, who was devouring his portion of sautéed braised meat with gusto, "has been happily indulging in this dish. If he can find joy in it, then perhaps you should give it a try as well."
Brother Li, his mouth full of delicious morsels, chimed in, "Trust me, lad! Once you taste the magical blend of flavors and textures, you won't be able to resist!"
The pageboy hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering between Merchant Shi's expectant gaze and Brother Li's enthusiastic endorsement. Finally, he let out a sigh and relented.
"M-Master Shi, this is actually... delicious!" he exclaimed, his taste buds pleasantly surprised by the flavors that unfolded on his palate.
Merchant Shi chuckled triumphantly, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "See? I told you not to judge a dish before you've tasted it. Now, join us in savoring the wonders of this sautéed braised dish!"
Merchant Shi's eyes widened with delight as he savored a bite of our sautéed braised dish. A satisfied grin spread across his face, and he couldn't contain his excitement any longer.
"By the heavens, this is absolutely delicious!" he exclaimed, smacking his lips. "I simply must have more of this culinary masterpiece. Bellona, my dear, I shall buy all of the remaining portions you have!"
I blinked in astonishment, "All of them? But there are quite a few left!"
Merchant Shi waved his hand dismissively. "No worries, my dear. I appreciate your talent and want to savor every morsel at my leisure. Consider it a reward for bringing such joy to my taste buds!"
"But... what about the payment? We don't have enough change for such a large amount." Of course, we have, I just goanna test if he would not ask for the change! HAHA
Merchant Shi chuckled heartily, pulling out a small sack filled with silver coins. "My dear, consider this a token of my appreciation. Take it as a reward for your culinary brilliance!"
I gazed at the sack of coins, my eyes widening in disbelief. "Are you sure? It's quite a hefty sum..." I made the right bet! I think this would total for 10 taels.
Merchant Shi winked, his mischievous smile never leaving his face. "Absolutely sure! Consider it an investment in the future of your culinary endeavors."
I couldn't help but burst into laughter, my heart filled with gratitude and excitement. "Well, in that case, who am I to argue with such a generous reward? Thank you, Merchant Shi! I would definitely leave a share for you every time I cooked something delicious."
With a jovial pat on the shoulder, Merchant Shi beamed at us. "You are really a clever little imp!"