When the time comes, Su Tian collected a few eggs from the chicken coop and headed into the kitchen. Tonight, she planned to use the tofu to prepare a full “Tofu Feast.”
In the kitchen, Zheng Chunmiao had already sliced the tofu into blocks and finely minced the aromatics such as green onions and garlic.
Beside her sat a small bowl of minced meat, and some wood ear mushrooms that were already soaking in water. Wu Fen sat behind the stove, tending to the fire.
During this period, the soy milk had become very popular, and their family was no longer as destitute as before. Consequently, they had no need to be quite so stingy with the cooking ingredients.
Su Tian poured cold oil into the hot wok and gently slid the tofu inside, pan-frying it over a low heat. Once the tofu had turned a light golden brown, she drizzled the beaten egg liquid over it in a circular motion.
While waiting for the eggs to set slightly, she scooped a spoonful of minced meat and scattered it over the surface. After covering the wok with a lid, Su Tian prepared to mix the sauce.
A spoonful of minced garlic, some chopped green onions, a pinch of salt, then finally a splash of water. Su Tian stirred them together, clicking her tongue as she looked at the mixture.
Without soy sauce for coloring, it always feels like something is missing. It seemed that making soy sauce needs to be added into her agenda.
Upon lifting the lid, the minced meat had already changed color. Su Tian poured in the sauce and let it braise for a short while longer. Soon, the fragrant “Egg-Hugging Tofu” [1]Egg-Hugging Tofu (鸡蛋抱豆腐 – Jidan Bao Doufu): A descriptive name for a dish where tofu is pan-fried and then “embraced” by a layer of cooked egg poured over it. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1872984_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1872984_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); was ready to be served.
After plating the dish and placing it in another pot to keep it warm, Su Tian intended to make a tofu soup as well.
She cut off a small chunk of the hanging cured meat and diced it. Then she take out the wood ear mushrooms and shredded it into silken strips.
Su Tian first tossed the diced cured meat and wood ear mushrooms into the wok to stir-fry until the fragrance bloomed, then poured in a generous amount of water.
Once it reached to a boil, she added the tofu. When the water bubbled again, she swirled in a little more egg liquid and finally added some flour-water [2]Flour-water (面粉水): Used as a thickener in place of cornstarch or potato starch. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1872984_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1872984_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); to thicken it into a starchy consistency.
After seasoning with an appropriate amount of salt, she scattered a handful of green onions over it just before taking the tofu soup off the heat. The colors were exceptionally beautiful.
After asking her aunt, Zheng Chunmiao to carry the dishes to the main hall first, Su Tian figured that she still needed to make the seasoned sauce for the Tofu Brain. Sugar were still far too much of a luxury in this era, so Su Tian decided to only make a savory sauce.
She stir-fried the remaining wood ear strips and minced meat until fragrant and distributed them into several bowls, adding salt and crushed peanuts. With limited ingredients, she could only manage a simplified version of Tofu Brain.
Once the Tofu Brain was ready, Su Tian called Su Wenyang and the others to help carry the bowls to the dining table, preparing to start the meal.
Su Wenchen was already itching to taste the tofu. As soon as everyone was gathered, he couldn’t resist picking up a piece of the Egg-Hugging Tofu and stuffing it into his mouth.
“Wow, it’s so smooth and tender! I didn’t even have to chew before it slid down my throat!” Su Wenchen smacked his lips, wanting to go back for another mouthful.
Seeing this, the others also began to move their chopsticks.
Li Hongyue nodded as she ate. “This tofu and the Tofu Brain have a much richer flavor than the soy milk. It’s very savory when paired with the sauce.”
Su Tian tasted it herself. Although the flavor wasn’t as refined as what she had made in the modern era, it was very appetizing. “Then starting tomorrow, our soy milk stall will add these two new items, tofu and tofu brain. Later, I will simmer a large batch of the sauce to prepare it in advance.”
“By the way, starting tomorrow, Big Brother and Eldest Aunt should also push a cart and go out together. We will split into two groups and sell together..” Su Tian voiced her previous plan.
Su Wenzu suddenly whipped his head around. “Me… Me?”
Su Tian nodded. “That’s right. Big Brother has been following us to the stall from the very beginning and is already very experienced. Naturally, you will be the one in charge of the business for the second handcart.”
Su Wenzu’s eyes were filled with the light of excitement. He patted his chest and promised Su Tian, “Don’t worry, your Big Brother will definitely guarantee you that the task is completed!”
Su Tian’s eyes curved in a shallow smile.
In truth, letting Su Wenzu take charge of the other cart was partly because he was indeed experienced, but also because she had noticed something that Su Wenzu likely hadn’t realized himself: when he was doing business, he was confident and at ease, as if he were glowing.
Su Tian wanted to give him more opportunities to train and find his own path; perhaps one day in the future, he would truly know what he wanted to do.
🌷 Sorry for the twice a week updates. I will post more chapters once I completed my current project. Anyway, enjoy!
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