Chapter 250: Cooking Competition

Afterward, Zhang Ping'an went to the Eastern City Branch, handed the items to Li Baoguo, and the two chatted for a while before Zhang Ping'an took the money and headed home.

Just as Zhang Ping'an was about to pedal his tricycle out, he unexpectedly ran into Liu Guangtian.

"Guangtian, you kid, why are you here?"

"Hehe, Zhang Shu, I'm just here to learn. I'm in the Household Registration Section, and I learn a lot of things at the branch."

"Shouldn't you be at the Western City Branch? Why did you run all the way to the Eastern City?"

"The Western City quota was full, so I voluntarily applied to come here. Mostly because it's closer to Qiu Nan, hehe."

"You kid."

Come to think of it, Liu Guangtian and Ding Qiunan had been married for nearly half a year, and the two were still as thick as thieves; the kid had some tricks up his sleeve.

When Ding Qiunan first married into the Siheyuan, Nan Yi was also taken aback, but after learning it was introduced by Zhang Ping'an, he wasn't surprised.

Moreover, Nan Yi's heart was now entirely with Liang Ladi, and the two already had a fruit of their love.

Initially, according to Nan Yi's thoughts, he hadn't planned on having more children, but Liang Ladi insisted on leaving descendants for the Nan family, which led to the child they have now.

The women in the courtyard also admired Liang Ladi greatly, especially Qin Pandi, who felt a sense of mutual sympathy.

He Daqing also appreciated Liang Ladi very much, but he appreciated Nan Yi's character even more; in his view, this was what a real man should do.

With He Daqing having such thoughts, it was no wonder that in the show, he could struggle for the White Widow's family until he was old.

During this time, Cai Quanwu also brought his whole family to see He Daqing and hit it off with Nan Yi immediately, especially since their professions and hobbies were almost identical.

And so, a cooking competition began at He Daqing's home, with He Daqing serving as the judge, and Nan Yi, Shazhu, Cai Quanwu, and Yan Jiecheng competing, all focusing on famous Lu Cuisine dishes.

Four Joy Meatballs, Nine-Turn Intestines, Sweet and Sour Carp, and Stir-fried Pork Kidney—that morning, the fragrance of the food in the Siheyuan lingered for a long time.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Ping'an arrived immediately to act as a judge. He Daqing naturally wouldn't refuse; he could judge from a professional perspective, while Zhang Ping'an could judge as a diner.

To be honest, in his past life, Zhang Ping'an had seen pigs being slaughtered, and he had a vivid memory of the butcher squeezing the feces out of the intestines, so he never ate intestines.

Perhaps influenced by his past life, Zhang Ping'an was still a bit resistant to the Nine-Turn Intestines, but he still tasted two bites, and the flavor stunned him.

"How is it, Ping'an?"

"Brother He, to be honest, they all taste quite good, but Nan Yi's suits my palate better."

Actually, it was mainly because Nan Yi removed the smell of the intestines the most thoroughly, while the other three's dishes carried a bit of an organ smell.

"Hmm, but I think it's Quanwu's. Nan Yi removed the oil from the intestines too thoroughly, losing the flavor it should have had."

"And Zhuzi is slightly lacking in heat control; he was too hasty with the heat when reducing the sauce. As for Jiefang, he still needs more practice."

Yan Jiefang was in the Rolling Mill Kitchen; besides having opportunities to practice cooking while greeting guests, he mostly just chopped vegetables and cooked large-pot meals. Compared to the other three, he was the latest to enter the trade.

"Yes, Master."

The pork kidney was similar to the intestines; Zhang Ping'an still favored Nan Yi. This time, what satisfied He Daqing was Shazhu, and the subsequent Sweet and Sour Carp and Four Joy Meatballs were both won by Nan Yi.

Yan Jiefang accompanied them the whole way, but this was a rare learning opportunity for him, and he believed it would definitely be of great help to him in the future.

"Zhang Shu, why didn't you pick me just now?"

"Hehe, Zhuzi, actually, the taste of the dishes you, Nan Yi, and Quanwu make are about the same, but you all know me—I'm not picky about food, but when it comes to pig offal, I prefer a lighter taste."

Nan Yi's nature of being good at studying and improving was what Zhang Ping'an admired most; the dishes he made better suited the palate of Zhang Ping'an, a person from the future. Of course, He Daqing remained the top choice.

"Zhuzi, everyone's palate is different. What you made wasn't wrong either, just like the chicken soup you made back then and the Sichuan Cuisine you make now—I love them both."

"Hehe." Shazhu had been a bit unhappy listening earlier, but hearing Zhang Ping'an praise him, he chuckled foolishly.

"That's right, Shazhu, I support you. Let's drink chicken soup again sometime, and have Teacher Yan provide it," Damao said from the side, acting snide.

Back then, Yan Bugui had tutored him and gotten a free meal of chicken soup out of him; Xu Damao still remembered it to this day.

"..."

"Fine, when the time comes, Old He, Zhuzi, and all of you come over."

Yan Bugui was an innocent bystander, but thinking that his son could have a learning opportunity, he changed his mind and agreed.

"Sure." Zhang Ping'an would never refuse a chance to taste a master chef's cooking.

Thus, everyone agreed to continue the cooking competition at Yan Bugui's house on their day off, and He Daqing was happy to do so; only through such competitions could they improve more.

Zhang Ping'an knew about the Scallion Braised Sea Cucumber in Lu Cuisine; this stuff was chewy and delicious, and quite nourishing. He soaked the sea cucumber two days in advance, and after thinking about it, he also prepared a lively, jumping soft-shelled turtle.

None of them were short on money, so they each brought some ingredients. On the day off, Yan Bugui's kitchen was filled with ingredients, even more abundant than their family's New Year's feast.

"Ahem, Brother He, I don't trust anyone else to make this Scallion Braised Sea Cucumber, but you all can do whatever you want with this turtle."

Zhang Ping'an knew that among these people, only He Daqing had often made this dish before; the other four had probably only seen it in books. Of course, Shazhu might have seen He Daqing make it.

"Fine, then I'll show off my skills today, but this thing is time-consuming; just hanging the soup takes two or three hours."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's do it! Damao, let's build the stove."

"You got it."

Soon, three stoves were built. The Xu, He, and Zhang families each provided a small pot, and Yan Bugui's kitchen had two, which was plenty.

This time, everyone tacitly chose different Lu Cuisine and Sichuan Cuisine dishes, while Zhang Ping'an and Xu Damao were responsible for tending the fires.

The sea cucumbers Zhang Ping'an brought this time were not large, only seven or eight centimeters after soaking, but there were many of them—twenty in total.

As time passed, everyone finished their preparations and began to cook.

At twelve noon, Yan's table was already filled with delicacies, mostly Lu Cuisine. The four dishes from last time were also among them. What Zhang Ping'an was most concerned about were the two dishes He Daqing made: Scallion Braised Sea Cucumber and Overlord Steals the Chicken.

Zhang Ping'an considered his own Overlord Steals the Chicken to be quite good, but compared to a professional, it was still inferior, especially since this old guy He Daqing was a Third-grade Cook.

Zhang Ping'an regretted it; he should have tasted the other dishes first. Starting by eating He Daqing's food made the gap obvious when comparing the rest.

"Uncle He, it still has to be you; this dish is authentic." Xu Damao was eating until his mouth was oily.

"Hahaha, Damao, your insight is as long as your face."

"..."

Xu Damao suddenly felt the turtle shell skirt he was about to eat didn't taste good anymore. However, thinking that Shazhu and He Daqing were cut from the same cloth of being unreasonable, he turned his grief and indignation into appetite.

Afterward, He Daqing commented on each dish one by one. Opportunities for a master chef to teach hands-on like this were rare, and all four benefited greatly.

The Yan Bugui family could be considered to have celebrated the New Year early; of course, it is likely that his family will not have such food again for the next ten years.

Time returns to the present; after Zhang Ping'an said goodbye to Liu Guangtian, he went to Guan Daye's house for a turn, left some New Year goods, exchanged them for a copy of the Intermediate Antique Knowledge Compendium, and only then left satisfied.