“Grandpa, we’ve been selling soy milk for six or seven days now. Today I plan to make tofu. Tofu is also processed from soy milk.” After closing the stall and returning home, Su Tian shared her plan with Su Dashu.
“Tofu? What new thing is that?” Su Dashu asked, puzzled.
Seeing his expression, Su Tian explained, “Tofu is made by adding a certain amount of gypsum to soy milk. After stirring, it solidifies. Once pressed firmly, it becomes tofu. If not pressed, it can be eaten as a tofu brain [1]Tofu Brain (豆腐脑 – Doufuna) also known as jellied tofu or soft tofu pudding. It is the unpressed, extremely soft stage of tofu jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1833214_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1833214_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. I’ll make both in a while so that the whole family can taste it. I guarantee that it’s delicious.”
“Alright. Tell your father how much soy milk you need and have him grind it.”
Su Tian took out the gypsum she had bought earlier. In this era, it was called White Tiger[2]White Tiger (白虎 – Baihu): A traditional Chinese medicinal name for gypsum (fibrosum), often used as a coagulant for tofu. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1833214_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1833214_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. She had almost failed to find it at the pharmacy before.
She dissolved a measured amount slowly. About ten grams of gypsum powder per jin of soy milk would produce tofu without bitterness or astringency.
The soy milk in the pot had already come to a boil. Su Tian skimmed off the foam, had Li Hongyue remove the firewood, let it cool slightly, then slowly poured in the gypsum water while gently stirring.
Gradually, soybean curds formed. At this point, Su Tian stopped stirring and covered the pot. Now it was up to time.
…
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea[3]One cup of tea’s time (一盏茶时间): A traditional Chinese measure of time, roughly 10 to 15 minutes. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1833214_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1833214_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, Su Tian returns to the kitchen, followed by a string of little ones. Su Wenyang and the others were extremely curious. In their eyes, adding gypsum to soy milk and having it solidify was like magic.
Lifting the lid, the soy milk had mostly set into tofu brain. Su Tian scooped out half, planning to prepare a sauce for it later.
She poured the loose tofu pudding into cheesecloth, squeezed out the water, then placed it into a mold formed by wooden boards. A stone was placed on top to press out the remaining water.
Su Wenchen tugged at Su Tian’s sleeve and asked wide-eyed, “Sister, isn’t it ready yet?”
Su Tian shook her head. “We still need to wait half an hour.”
“Ah…” The little radishes[4]Little radishes (小萝卜头): common affectionate Chinese term for a group of small children. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1833214_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1833214_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); sighed in disappointment.
Su Tian could not help laughing at their expressions and shooed them away. “What’s the rush? Go play first. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
“Alright then. Sister, you must call us,” Su Yin said softly before being led away by Su Wen’an.
…
When the time was about right, Su Tian called the children back to witness the birth of tofu.
“It’s time to witness a miracle!” Su Tian gently lifted the cloth. The once loose tofu pudding had formed into a solid block, faint cloth patterns still visible on the surface.
She cut a small piece and distributed it to the children. “Here, the first bite is for you.”
“Mmm!” Su Wenchen covered his mouth in astonishment. “Sister, it’s so delicious!”
“See?” Su Tian smiled. “Shall we use tofu to make dinner tonight?”
“Yes!” the children chorused.
Su Tian removed the tofu from the mold, cut it into blocks, and stored it in water. She also covered the tofu brain, planning for everyone to taste both in the evening.
✨✨✨
🌷 This chapter is quite short compared to the previous ones but it is normal as the story pacing is a bit fast.
References[+]