Chapter 17: So Delicious You Can't Stop Eating
In the afternoon, a table was set up in the patio of Deng Shirong's house. On it lay a bamboo-woven cover filled with densely packed insects—hornet pupae that Deng Yuntai and his childhood friend Deng Changyuan had collected earlier.
Deng Shirong, along with several of his children and Deng Changyuan, was busy cleaning out the internal organs and waste from the pupae. It was a tedious task, but essential for achieving the perfect taste. While some might skip this step and simply fry the pupae as they are, Deng Shirong knew that cleaning them thoroughly would make all the difference.
Despite the large number of pupae and the many hands helping, it still took about forty minutes to finish the cleaning. Meanwhile, Deng Yunsong and the other children, who had just returned from school, peeled a large bowl of peanuts.
Once everything was ready, Deng Shirong picked up the lid covering the pupae and called out to his eldest daughter, "Ah Zhen, light the fire!"
Deng Yunzhen responded and headed to the kitchen to start the fire. Curious about the process, Deng Changyuan and Deng Yuntai followed her in. They had never seen how bee pupae were fried and were eager to learn.
Soon, the fire was lit, and the pot, which had been cleaned earlier, was ready. Deng Shirong used a spatula to scoop several shovelfuls of lard into the pot. Under the high heat, the solidified lard melted quickly. Instead of frying the pupae right away, Deng Shirong first poured in the peanuts.
Frying peanuts requires precise timing. Undercooked, they lack crispiness; overcooked, they burn. Only someone with experience could get it just right. As someone who enjoyed a drink or two in his previous life, Deng Shirong had fried peanuts countless times and knew exactly when they were done.
When the peanuts turned a light golden color, Deng Shirong instructed his daughter to stop the fire. He quickly scooped them out, allowing the excess oil to drain before transferring them to a bowl.
Next, Deng Shirong added more lard to the pot and increased the heat. Once the oil was hot, he poured in the several kilograms of bee pupae. The sizzling sound filled the air, and a rich aroma began to waft through the kitchen.
The key to frying bee pupae was to start with high heat and then lower it once the pupae began to change color. When they turned golden yellow, Deng Shirong had his daughter stop the fire. He drained the oil and transferred the pupae to several large bowls. Finally, he sprinkled them with pre-crushed raw salt and mixed everything evenly. The delicious fried bee pupae were ready.
Deng Shirong inhaled the fragrant aroma and said with satisfaction, "Ah Zhen, pour the oil back into the oil tank. It's time to eat!"
Deng Changyuan couldn't help but praise, "These bee pupae smell amazing, and the color is so appetizing. In the past, we just used them to make porridge. What a waste! Jiugong, you really know how to enjoy them."
Deng Shirong smiled. "Fried bee pupae are delicious. I'm sure others in the village know how to make them too, but few are willing to use so much oil. That's why no one fries them."
As they spoke, the fried bee pupae were brought to the dining table. The table was already laden with an impressive spread: three bowls of fried bee pupae, one bowl of fried peanuts, two bowls of cold cucumber salad, one bowl of pickled vegetables, and three bowls of cold water spinach salad.
Once the rice was served and the wine poured, everyone eagerly dug in. Deng Changyuan, who had been friends with Deng Yuntai since childhood and had eaten at Deng Shirong's house many times, felt completely at ease.
"Let's eat!" Deng Shirong said, picking up two bee pupae to taste first. The flavor was just as he remembered—fresh, fragrant, and crispy. The more he chewed, the more delicious they became. It was the kind of dish that made it impossible to stop eating.
Seeing Deng Shirong start, the others quickly followed suit. After tasting the bee pupae, their faces lit up with delight. The flavor exceeded their expectations.
In later generations, when people had no shortage of oil or meat, they often became picky eaters. But in this era, most families in Double Prosperity Territory could barely fill their stomachs. White porridge mixed with grains was a common meal, and vegetables were often cooked with little oil. Eggs and meat were rare treats, and even then, only in small amounts.
As a result, people of this time were far less picky. Something like bee pupae, which might disgust people in the future, was considered a delicacy here. Eating them raw wasn't uncommon, let alone fried.
"These fried bee pupae are so good. When I have a day off in a couple of days, I'm going up the mountain to find a hornet's nest," Deng Yunsong said between bites.
Deng Yunhua chimed in, "Third brother, I'll go with you."
The youngest, Deng Yunheng, added enthusiastically, "Me too!"
Rural children were tough and used to running around in the mountains, so Deng Shirong wasn't too worried. However, he still warned them, "It's fine for you three to go looking for a hornet's nest, but once you find one, come back and tell your eldest or second brother. Don't try to burn it yourselves, understand?"
Deng Yuntai also cautioned, "Wasps are poisonous. If you get stung too many times, it could be dangerous. If you find a nest, don't try to handle it yourselves, or I'll give you a beating when you get back."
The three children exchanged glances and replied meekly, "Got it!"
Deng Shirong smiled at their response, then turned to Deng Changyuan. "Ah Yuan, you know about Yungui and me contracting the kiln for the brigade, right?"
Deng Changyuan nodded. "Yes, A-Tai told me."
Deng Shirong continued, "If you don't mind the hard work, after the production team finishes harvesting the rice, you can come to the jar factory to help with treading the mud. If you're interested in learning how to make large jars, A-Tai can teach you during breaks."
Deng Changyuan's eyes lit up. "Uncle Jiu, are you serious?"
Deng Shirong smiled. "Of course. Are you interested?"
Deng Changyuan didn't hesitate. "Absolutely!"
In the countryside, opportunities to earn money were scarce. Working at the jar factory and earning a salary was a rare chance, and Deng Changyuan knew it. He understood that his close relationship with Deng Yuntai had made this opportunity possible.
Deng Shirong raised his glass and clinked it with Deng Changyuan's. "Then work hard. Once you have a stable income, finding a wife will be much easier."
Deng Changyuan nodded earnestly. "Thank you, Uncle Jiu. I'll work hard and won't let you down."
(End of Chapter)