Chapter 396

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "What you said makes a lot of sense. Like a dish in Sichuan cuisine that requires the most effort, called 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup', the main ingredient is just a head of Chinese cabbage, which is as home-cooked as it gets. But truly well-made 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup' is so delicious that one wishes they could swallow their tongue."

Lu Xiaoya widened her eyes and said, "'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup'? What taste does that have? And it's so delicious that one wishes they could swallow their tongue?"

Lu Zhenghong smiled and said, "Xiaoya, you're ignorant. 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup' is not just boiled cabbage. I was lucky enough to eat it once, and that was thanks to a leader. But I've only eaten authentic ones once in my life; this dish is too much effort. Xinghui, have you eaten it too?"

Su Xinghui had indeed eaten it, but that was in his previous life. He had eaten 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup' made by a famous chef when he traveled to western Sichuan. It was treated by a local classmate. A small dish of 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup' cost several hundred yuan, but the taste was something he would never forget in his life.

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "I was also lucky enough to eat it once."

Lu Zhenghong said, "Then do you know the production process of this 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup'? I was just busy eating that time and didn't ask the chef for the production method."

The eyes of several people at the table looked at Su Xinghui. They also wanted to hear how this legendary 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup' was made.

Su Xinghui said, "I have seen introductions in books, saying that for this 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup', the actual cooking process takes about ten minutes, but the preparation takes two or three days."

Lu Xiaoya said, "It takes that long?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Yes, the 'clear soup' in 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup' is actually not clear water, but high-quality stock. It is made by boiling old hen, Jinhua ham, pig's trotters, pork ribs, pork, dried scallops, winter bamboo shoots, winter mushrooms, and other ingredients in water. It must be boiled for at least three hours, and if conditions permit, it should be simmered over low heat for two or three days. Only the stock boiled in this way can be called high-quality stock."

Lu Xiaoya was shocked again, "So many good things? Then how much money does that cost?"

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "In ancient times, wealthy families not only ate this dish, but all the dishes they ate were flavored with high-quality stock, and they didn't use MSG at all. Of course, MSG didn't exist back then. They would throw away all the ingredients used to boil the high-quality stock."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Throw them away? Isn't that too wasteful?"

Su Xinghui said, "This is the lifestyle of wealthy people in ancient times."

Song Qiaoli was already listening intently. She said to Xiaoya, "Don't be so surprised, let Little Su finish speaking."

Lu Xiaoya stuck out her tongue and stopped making a sound.

Su Xinghui said, "After this high-quality stock is boiled, it cannot be used immediately. It must be boiled again with minced chicken breast meat placed in the high-quality stock. This is to absorb the impurities in the high-quality stock. Once is not enough; after absorbing it several times, the high-quality stock will become very clear and bright. Only then can this high-quality stock be called 'clear soup'."

"Then there's the cabbage. The cabbage must be selected from the most tender cabbage hearts in the Chinese cabbage. It takes the cabbage hearts from more than a dozen Chinese cabbages to make one plate. Use a needle to pierce small holes all over each cabbage heart, then divide the prepared high-quality stock into two portions and boil them. Use one portion of high-quality stock to repeatedly rinse and scald the cabbage hearts until they are cooked, then use the other portion of high-quality stock as a base, put the cooked cabbage hearts in, and you can plate them and serve them."

"This 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup' has a clear and bright soup color, and the high-quality stock looks exactly the same as clear water. The cabbage hearts are very fresh and tender, and they are pierced with small holes, absorbing the soup, so the taste is indescribably delicious."

After listening to Su Xinghui, Song Qiaoli and Lu Xiaoya were both sighing in admiration. Lu Xiaoya said, "This dish is too much effort and too expensive. It seems I'll be lucky to eat it once in my life."

Lu Zhenghong nodded and said, "Xinghui, you truly have a good memory. You can remember such complex procedures."

Su Xinghui said, "Actually, the procedures can also be simplified. The high-quality stock can be replaced with chicken soup, and the chicken used to boil the soup doesn't need to be thrown away, so it's not wasteful, right? I think the taste won't be much worse. If there's a chance next time, I'll make it for you."

Lu Xiaoya said, "No need to wait for next time. Aren't you staying in Jiangcheng for a few days this time? Why not make it for us tomorrow?"

Lu Zhenghong asked, "What are you doing in Jiangcheng this time, Xinghui? Are you staying for a few days?"

Su Xinghui said, "I was invited to attend the provincial calligraphy and painting exhibition on the achievements of reform and opening up and economic construction."

Lu Zhenghong nodded and said, "Oh, it's this calligraphy and painting exhibition. I'm going to attend it too. Do you have any works participating?"

Su Xinghui said, "When Teacher Qu left Meng Hu Ling, he did take one of my paintings, saying he would recommend it to the organizers of the calligraphy and painting exhibition. I don't know if it was recommended or not."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Your painting will definitely be no problem; it will certainly be selected."

Song Qiaoli said, "Come to think of it, Xia Zhu's bamboo weaving painting 'Autumn Charm of Bamboo Township' should have been selected, but she took it to participate in the Canton Fair."

Su Xinghui asked, "By the way, Auntie Song, how is Xia Zhu doing at the Canton Fair?"

Song Qiaoli nodded and said, "You asked the right person. Old Li from our store called back and said that Xia Zhu is completely popular this time. She performed bamboo weaving skills in public at our province's booth, making those foreigners stare with wide eyes. They were all shocked by her, and the orders are like snowflakes!"

Su Xinghui said happily, "Auntie Song, is what you said true?"

Song Qiaoli said, "Of course it's true. Old Li said it so much that I regret not going to the Canton Fair. If I had gone to the Canton Fair, wouldn't I have been able to see Xia Zhu shock those foreigners?"

Lu Xiaoya also said, "Xia Zhu is truly amazing!"

Song Qiaoli said, "The name Xia Zhu is truly not wrongly named. She really has talent in bamboo weaving. I have never seen anyone with her talent."

Hearing the news about Xia Zhu, everyone was very happy, and everyone ate this meal happily.

After eating, Lu Zhenghong said, "Xinghui, what you said just now made me want to eat 'Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup'. Why don't you cook for us again tomorrow?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Fine, no problem!"

Lu Zhenghong said, "Xiaoya, pour a cup of tea for Xinghui and bring it to my study."

Lu Xiaoya agreed, and Lu Zhenghong said to Su Xinghui, "Come, let's go to the study and chat."

Su Xinghui agreed and followed him into the study.

Lu Xiaoya brought two cups of tea into the study, placed one in front of her father and one in front of Su Xinghui. While her father couldn't see her, she made a face at Su Xinghui, almost making Su Xinghui unable to help but laugh. She saw Su Xinghui trying hard to hold back his laughter, and only then did she triumphantly leave the study.

Lu Zhenghong was lifting his teacup, blowing the foam, and drinking tea, not seeing this scene. He took a sip of tea and smiled, "Xinghui, is the environment in your Shangjun County better than before now?"

Su Xinghui said, "This is all thanks to Uncle Lu!"

Lu Zhenghong said, "This is not just relying on me. In fact, you have done a very good job in Meng Hu Ling, winning a lot of face for me and Secretary Gu. Don't underestimate this; this has won a relatively loose space for our political environment, allowing us to maneuver. The political environment in Hudong Province is too complex!"