"First, let's buy the beef."
As they spoke, they had already reached the area dedicated to selling beef.
As expected of an Association-certified Food Material Market, the ingredients are kept in a cold chain throughout their transportation, and all kinds of certificates are complete, clearly indicating the quality of the ingredients.
Qin Lang picked up a piece of beef tenderloin that had already been cut open, allowing for a clear view of the snowflake-like fat marbling. After looking at it for a bit, a pleased expression appeared on his face.
This quality could rival that of Australian-grade M10 beef.
"How much for the beef tenderloin?"
"2100 per jin." The salesperson glanced at Qin Lang, a smile on her face, "How much do you need, young man?"
"Let's look at something else," Qin Lang replied, calmly setting the meat back down.
Were the high costs a problem of the ingredients?
No, it was his own problem.
After inquiring about the price of other parts from the same cow, Qin Lang sensibly chose another cow of slightly lesser quality.
This time, the price finally dropped to three digits.
Telling himself constantly that he'd have money once he made the Steamed Bass tomorrow, Qin Lang, holding back his heartache, chose some cuts and asked the salesperson to weigh and pack them. He looked at an oxtail that was placed in the corner and asked, "How much for this?"
"This? Well..." The salesperson glanced at it and nonchalantly waved a hand, "Not many Spirit Chefs buy oxtail. Since you're buying so much, I'll just give you this for free."
Qin Lang: "..."
The price of the same ingredient might vary across different regions.
For instance, if the locals in a certain place don't eat animal innards, the prices there would naturally be much cheaper than in other regions.
The current situation should be similar.
This salesperson's indifferent attitude towards oxtail indicated that almost no one in Dongxia City ate it.
Without any hesitation, he pointed to the cow he saw at the beginning, "Can you throw in the tail from that one too?"
"Alright, since you're a good guy," The salesperson laughed, "Come back more often to give us business."
"Definitely!" Qin Lang nodded earnestly.
If you're giving these away every day, I'll come every day!
"Let's go, Dan Bao. Let's look at other ingredients."
"Gudoo!"
...
By the time Qin Lang and Dan Bao returned home, all the ingredients they had picked out at the Food Material Market had already been delivered right to their door.
After signing for the delivery, he excitedly moved the various ingredients to the kitchen.
Dan Bao followed him all the way, only taking a look around once they were in the kitchen.
"Guduloo?"
Through their heartfelt communication, Dan Bao could feel that although Qin Lang seemed calm on the surface, he had been excited ever since getting hold of those two oxtails.
Was there something special about oxtails?
"Oxtail is a very valuable part," Qin Lang quickly skinned and chopped the oxtails with his knife while happily explaining, "Its fat content is lower than other parts and it does not evenly distribute in the meat, but it has more collagen."
"Moreover, there's bone marrow inside the oxtail bones, which can make the oxtail taste richer and thicker, so it's suitable for stewing or making soup." He smiled while putting the chopped oxtails into a small bowl and turned to look at Dan Bao, "You'll understand once you taste the oxtail soup that will be cooked later."
"I've already got some ideas about what dishes we'll choose for the day after tomorrow's Food Fight," Qin Lang pointed at the oxtails in the basin, "Its the main ingredient."
"But first, let's cook today's dishes!"
Dan Bao quickly looked eager.
After washing the rice, adding water, and turning on the Rice Cooker, Qin Lang returned to the counter. He added cold water and cooking wine to the basin of oxtails, then sliced Polygonatum and ginger, and washed and prepared goji berries and dried tangerine peel.
"Guloo?"
Looking closely at the Polygonatum and ginger placed on the table, a puzzled expression crossed Dan Bao's face.
These two ingredients look quite similar!
"This is Polygonatum, also known as Tiger Ginger," Qin Lang pointed at the slightly whiter Polygonatum slices, "It has practically no smell, and it tastes rather sweet."
"This is ginger." He then pointed at the other one, and pinched a slice for Dan Bao to smell, "Can you smell it?"
In just an instant, a ginger scent with a hint of spiciness hit the nostrils.
Dan Bao quickly flew backward in fright.
Seeing Dan Bao's adorable reaction, Qin Lang laughed heartily, then began prepping the other ingredients.
Seeing Qin Lang cutting the pork tenderloin into thick slices, Dan Bao twisted his body and approached again.
"Gulu?"
"The oxtail needs to be soaked in water to remove the blood. While we wait, we can prepare the second dish, Fried Pork in Scoop." Qin Lang smiled, "Remember we bought a lettuce? That's for the third dish, the oyster sauce lettuce."
As he spoke, Qin Lang had cut the pork tenderloin, placed it in a small bowl, added salt and mixed well, then began to make the sauce.
Two big spoonfuls of white sugar, two big spoonfuls of rice vinegar, appropriate amounts of salt, soy sauce and sesame oil.
By the time Qin Lang finished the sauce, Dan Bao came back to his senses and excitedly approached Qin Lang.
Fresh lettuce can be made even fresher with Food Skill!
It's time to use his Food Skill again!
"Gulu dudu!"
"Even though the lettuce was already very fresh when we bought it, I believe it will taste even better with your Food Skill." Qin Lang nodded earnestly.
Upon receiving Qin Lang's affirmation, Dan Bao's little face glowed with happiness.
"Next, we need to soak the starch fully, which will be used for the batter for our Fried Pork in Scoop later." Taking out a packet of potato starch, Qin Lang explained as he worked, "Use more water than you would for dough making, stir a little, then let it rest."
A puzzled look appeared on Dan Bao's face.
Dough making? What's that?
"Gu du?"
Qin Lang put the dough aside to rest, "Dough making is another pastry technique. Next time I'll make you delicious big meat buns, and then you'll understand."
While others are painting cakes, Qin Lang is painting buns.
"Gu du!"
Dan Bao's eyes lit up immediately.
Big meat buns!
It sounds delicious!
"Now, we can turn back to the oxtail."
Qin Lang moved the basin containing the oxtail in front of him and pointed at the water in the basin.
After soaking, the mixture of water and cooking wine in the basin had turned red.
"See, the blood has been soaked out."
"Gulu!"
Dan Bao's eyes were wide open.
This was so mysterious.
Seeing Dan Bao's little face, Qin Lang's mood became cheerful, and he continued with the next steps.
Add the oxtail and scallion and ginger to cold water. Bring it to a boil over high heat, skim off the froth, then fish out.
Heat the pan and add some oil. Stir-fry the oxtail with ginger slices, then put the oxtail, polygonatum pieces, goji berries, and dried tangerine peel into the pressure cooker. Add water, cooking wine, and salt.
Seeing Qin Lang close the lid of the pressure cooker, Dan Bao's face was full of anticipation.
Will they be ready to eat soon?
"Gu du lu?"
"The pressure cooker needs half an hour." Qin Lang spread his hands, "This is still good. If it's slow-cooked over low heat, it will take two hours."
It's going to take so long before they can eat!
Dan Bao's little head drooped suddenly.
"It's okay. During this time, we can prepare the other two dishes, so we can enjoy all three dishes at the same time." Qin Lang rubbed Dan Bao's head, "Doesn't seem that long now, does it?"
"Dulu!"
That's right, there are two more dishes!
Dan Bao's ears twitched, and his face lit up with anticipation again.
-----------------
End of the chapter bonus content:
[Oxtail Soup]
[Fried Pork in Scoop]