Chapter 21: Braised Pork
Deng Yunsong and Deng Yunhua exchanged knowing glances, their eyes filled with amusement. They immediately launched into a lively conversation.
"Brother, we've already tried it, so of course we know how delicious fried bee pupae are!"
"Brother, let me tell you, the fried bee pupae are incredibly fragrant and crispy. Once you take the first bite, you can't stop yourself from going for a second. The taste is amazing!"
"The fried bee pupae Dad made were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet and delicious. I didn't even realize how much I ate that day. Just thinking about it now makes my mouth water."
"Brother, you don't know this, but Dad's cooking is incredible. It's not just the fried bee pupae—his scrambled eggs with green peppers and fried pork are also out of this world."
"Brother, let me tell you..."
"Second brother..."
Deng Yunheng was genuinely shocked by his younger brothers' enthusiastic descriptions. It had only been a week since he last came home, but so much had changed. In just a few days, they had not only eaten scrambled eggs with green peppers but also had meat twice and fried bee pupae once. The meals sounded incredible.
Even more surprising was his father, who had never cooked before, suddenly becoming a skilled chef. It was almost unbelievable.
Originally, Deng Yunheng had thought he'd been living the high life at school this past week, having eaten braised pork three times. He had planned to brag about it to his younger brothers when he returned home. But now, after hearing about the meals they'd had at home, he no longer felt like mentioning the braised pork at all.
No wonder his younger brothers had been so eager to see him—they had come specifically to show off.
Deng Yunheng said irritably, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, are you two trying to make me jealous on purpose?"
Deng Yunsong chuckled and replied, "Second Brother, you've got it all wrong. How could we be trying to make you jealous? Dad gave you two dollars last week. You must have eaten just as well at school as we did at home. Fourth Brother and I were just filling you in on what's been happening here."
Deng Yunheng couldn't help but smirk. They had been brothers for over a decade—he knew exactly what they were up to.
As they chatted, the three brothers arrived home.
Seeing his father smoking a hookah, Deng Yunheng greeted him, "Dad, I'm back!"
Deng Shirong hummed in acknowledgment, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said, "You must be tired after carrying so much luggage and walking such a long distance. Go wipe your sweat with a towel first. I'll make braised pork for you tonight."
Deng Yunheng's spirits lifted immediately. He hadn't expected such a delicious meal waiting for him as soon as he returned. The frustration caused by his younger brothers' teasing vanished in an instant.
Seeing his second son happily rush off to wipe his sweat, Deng Shirong couldn't help but smile. He had high hopes for this son, who was the most quick-witted of his children, and he was determined not to let him stray down the wrong path as he had in his previous life.
In rural areas at these times, whether cooking rice, porridge, or stir-frying vegetables, people used large iron pots. Deng Shirong waited until his eldest daughter finished cooking before starting on the braised pork.
Over the past few days, Deng Shirong's cooking skills had completely won over his children. Every time he cooked, they would gather around the stove to watch.
Today, his second son, who had just returned from school, joined them.
Although the kitchen was spacious, with so many people crowding around the stove, some couldn't see clearly. So, the three youngest—Yunsong, Yunhua, and Yunheng—stayed out of the way.
After heating the pan, Deng Shirong added a bit of lard and said to his eldest daughter, "Ah Zhen, I'm going to caramelize the sugar first. Be careful with the heat—don't let it get too high, or it'll burn easily."
"Dad, what's caramelized sugar?" Deng Yunzhen asked while adjusting the fire.
Deng Shirong smiled and explained, "Caramelized sugar is made by frying white sugar. Braised pork made with caramelized sugar turns a bright red color, sweet and delicious, fatty but not greasy. You should pay attention and learn."
In rural areas at these times, meat was only eaten a few times a year, and oil was used sparingly even when stir-frying vegetables. Most people in the village had no culinary skills.
As written in some novels, families were so poor they could barely afford meat once a year, yet a child (usually the female protagonist) would somehow possess extraordinary cooking skills, effortlessly preparing meals that rivaled those of professional chefs. That was pure nonsense.
After hearing their father's explanation, Deng Yuntai and Deng Yunheng were curious but didn't think much of it. In rural areas back then, cooking was mostly women's work, and few men took it up.
Deng Yunzhen and Deng Yunzhu, however, paid close attention, watching their father's every move.
When the lard in the pot had melted, Deng Shirong poured in the right amount of sugar, which he had bought earlier that day. In addition to sugar, he had also purchased spices like star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, dried chilies, and seasonings like soy sauce and oyster sauce.
As he stirred with a spatula, Deng Shirong explained, "When caramelizing sugar, you must use low heat and stir constantly to prevent it from burning."
Soon, the sugar melted, and small yellow bubbles began to form.
Deng Shirong kept stirring and continued, "Small bubbles will appear first, followed by larger golden bubbles. When the golden bubbles disappear and the sugar turns a deep red, like chicken blood, the caramelization is complete."
The children held their breath, watching intently. Just as their father had described, the sugar first produced small bubbles, then larger ones.
When the sugar turned a deep red, Deng Shirong quickly added the chopped pork belly, stir-frying it evenly. He then said to his eldest daughter, "You can turn up the heat a bit now!"
Deng Yunzhen complied, increasing the flame, and watched as the pork belly in the pot changed color.
Deng Shirong stir-fried for a while, and when the pork belly began to release its oil, he continued, "Use medium-low heat to render the fat from the pork belly. Now you can add ginger, garlic, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and dried chilies. If you don't like spicy food, you can skip the chilies.
Once the spices are fragrant, add the right amount of soy sauce, stir-fry evenly, then add boiling water. Cover the pot, bring it to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low for about 40 minutes. Add salt to taste, and finally, reduce the sauce over high heat. That's how you make delicious braised pork!"
After covering the pot, Deng Shirong looked at his two daughters and asked, "Well? Did you remember all the steps?"
Deng Yunzhen hesitated and said, "Dad, I remember the steps, but I'm not sure if I'll get it right when I try."
Deng Yunzhu, who had only cooked a few times, shook her head and said, "I didn't catch everything. I'll have to learn slowly when I get the chance."
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Next time, I'll guide you through it. You'll get the hang of it after a few tries."
Deng Yunheng couldn't help but ask, "Dad, where did you learn to make braised pork? It seems like we've never had this dish before."
"We didn't have the means to make it before. As for who taught me, that person is no longer around, so let's not talk about it." Deng Shirong calmly changed the subject. "Alright, the braised pork needs to simmer for a while. We're out of wine at home. Yunsong, take some money and go to the brigade to buy two bottles."
"Got it."