Yuan Cheng immediately invited Xie Zhinuan to the kitchen, while the madam conversed with Old Mrs. Ni, arranging their accommodations and sending someone to inform his younger brother and the three aunts and uncles to come for dinner that evening.
It wasn't that they didn't want to keep the old couple; it was rather that the elder Yuan had a grudge against the town, and after staying for three to five days, he would fall seriously ill upon his return. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not come to town. Now, for the recipes' sake, Yuan Cheng's wife felt grateful, and had someone purchase some items for the elderly couple to take back to the countryside the following day.
When Xie Zhinuan arrived in the kitchen, she first listed all the spices needed, and Yuan Cheng noted them down one by one.
Having followed his master for many years, he truly did not know that these spices could be used together to braise meat.
"The meat should first be rid of blood water to not only cleanse it but also to remove any gamey taste!" Xie Zhinuan explained very earnestly and in great detail, "Uncle could have a large clay pot made to braise in one go or use smaller clay pots for a slower braise. Meat braised in clay pots tastes differently than that in larger pots!"
Large clay pots are convenient and save effort, while small clay pots make the dish look finer and allow it to be sold at a higher price.
"You could also make two flavors, one spicy and one sweet!"
Watching Xie Zhinuan stir-fry and chop vegetables, the precision and speed of her knife skills were such that they couldn't be mastered in less than ten or eight years.
Once the pork had finished braising, Xie Zhinuan, standing to one side and pondering for a moment, added, "I'll teach uncle how to make a marinated dish. This dish depends entirely on the marinade. A well-made marinade ensures that whether it's chicken, duck, goose, pork, or other game, the flavor will be exceptional!"
"Very good, very good!" Yuan Cheng could hardly ask for more.
Xie Zhinuan picked up a kitchen knife and began slicing ginger, chop-chop-chop. Soon, she had a plateful of finely and evenly cut ginger strips.
"If this marinated dish is done well, you could also make quite a bit of money," Xie Zhinuan stated softly.
The cooking of the marinade began.
All the required spices were washed clean, set aside to drain, and a large pot was cleaned before placing the spices into a cheesecloth.
"If uncle is worried about someone stealing the recipe, you could sew the cheesecloth shut and simply remove the marinade ingredients after each use!"
Yuan Cheng nodded repeatedly.
Despite her young age, she was clever indeed.
Especially that composed, indifferent, and open-minded attitude, something he might not be able to match.
Xie Zhinuan glanced at Yuan Cheng, noticing his eager eyes, and continued, "If uncle doesn't mind, there are various dishes that the inn serves. Have the chef prepare one of each tonight, and I can take a look for uncle and add a couple of new dishes as well!"
"..."
Yuan Cheng was momentarily stunned before his face lit up with joy, "Very good, very good, that would be wonderful!"
Far from finding fault, he was eager for such an opportunity.
Once the marinade was ready, Xie Zhinuan split it into two pots, one for marinating chicken and the other for duck. Yuan Cheng was bold, quickly slaughtering ten chickens and ten ducks for Xie Zhinuan to prepare.
Then, Xie Zhinuan made saltwater chicken.
"This saltwater chicken and duck are made the same way, boiled in clean water with just a pinch of salt, some ginger to remove the gamey taste, without any sauces, keeping the natural flavor of the chicken simple, which brings out its deliciousness!"
Yuan Cheng nodded profusely, already contemplating asking Xie Zhinuan to stay and take charge of the kitchen at the inn.
He hesitated before revealing his plan to Xie Zhinuan.
"..." Xie Zhinuan was startled before laughing and saying, "I don't have such plans for now. The reason I came to the county to sell recipes is that I didn't have a single wen and wanted a place of my own. If one day I decide to make money using my culinary skills, I'll definitely come to uncle's place!"