xymnovel Chapter 50 The Imperial Kitchen Finally Stands Up
Chapter 50 The Imperial Kitchen Finally Stands Up
Chapter 50 The Imperial Kitchen finally stood up for itself!
Sizzle—!
A thick layer of oil was brushed onto the frying pan.
One by one, square, angular dough pieces were placed on top.
Simmer over low heat.
The dough slowly hardened under high temperature, turning a golden brown color.
Although it lacks the overpowering aroma of deep-fried food, the wheat and chive flavors from slow baking are quite convincing.
Half an hour later.
A plate of neatly arranged rectangular "boxes," each one as if measured with a ruler, was presented on the imperial desk in the Ryougi Hall.
Inside the Liangyi Hall.
Li Shimin had a dark expression on his face and didn't even notice that he was holding the memorial upside down.
The empty city strategy in her belly was sung with great ups and downs.
"Your Majesty, the meal is here."
Wang Dequan carefully held the tray, barely daring to breathe.
On the tray, six golden, crispy rectangular pieces were steaming hot.
Li Shimin twitched his nose.
It has the flavor of chives, the flavor of eggs, and the aroma of toasted bread.
Although it wasn't quite as irresistible as the intoxicating aroma of bubbling oil I smelled at the woodshed doorway, the presentation was still...
It is indeed a "box".
It is square, orderly, and exudes a royal grandeur.
"Is this what the Imperial Kitchen made?"
Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, his anger subsiding slightly.
At least these lackeys were obedient and didn't try to fool the skin with steamed buns.
He stretched out his silver chopsticks and picked up a piece.
hard.
The chopsticks made a soft "thump-thump" sound when they touched the ground, like tapping wood.
Li Shimin opened his mouth and took a bite.
Click!
The sound was crisp enough.
But this crispness isn't the fluffy, crunchy kind; it's a solid, hard-on crispness.
It's like chewing on a dried-out biscuit.
As the dough cracked, the chive and egg filling inside was revealed.
The taste is alright.
After all, the filling was prepared by the imperial chef, so the saltiness was just right, and the dried shrimp added freshness.
"Um--
Li Shimin chewed, his brows slightly relaxed.
Yes, you can eat it.
You could even say that compared to those mushy mutton soups, this has a novel texture, becomes more fragrant the more you chew, and is indeed quite flavorful.
"The Imperial Food Bureau wasn't completely blind this time."
Li Shimin swallowed the food in his mouth, and felt the burning sensation in his stomach finally subside. "Reward him."
Wang Dequan breathed a sigh of relief; his legs no longer cramped. "Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin ate three in one go.
full.
He put down his chopsticks and looked at the three remaining cubes on the plate, his gaze gradually becoming deep.
The food prepared by the Imperial Kitchen is edible, and could even be considered a delicacy.
But why————
Why do I always feel like something's missing?
It lacked the sight of Father Emperor's mouth oozing oil when he ate that box.
It lacked that crazy energy of the little ox, screaming and shoving even when it was hot, still stuffing it into its mouth.
The one in my hand is so well-behaved.
It's dry and crunchy, but not moist.
"Even counterfeit products can taste like this —"
Li Shimin muttered to himself, his fingers lightly tapping the table, "Just what kind of divine flavor must that pot of rice that just came out of the woodshed have?"
He recalled his father's words about "coarse food".
If coarse food can make people swallow their tongues, then the so-called exquisite imperial cuisine that I eat every day is not even as good as chaff.
Li Shimin felt that the sense of satisfaction he had just felt vanish in an instant.
It's like you've got your eye on a legendary sword, but you end up buying a wooden toy instead.
Although I can play around with it a bit, I'm so itchy inside, and the more I scratch, the deeper the itch gets!
at the same time.
The study of the Duke of Liang's residence.
Fang Xuanling had just returned from court, still in his official robes, and was slumped in his armchair rubbing his temples.
Today, I was completely bewildered by His Majesty's rumbling stomach in the court, and on the way back, I kept thinking about that fried food smell.
I'm hungry.
"Ah!"
Fang Qingjun pushed open the door and came in, carrying a delicate little food box in her hand, her steps as light as a butterfly.
"What's wrong? Why are you all in such a rush?" Fang Xuanling sat up straight. "You don't act like a proper young lady."
"Father, you must try this!"
Fang Qingjun placed the food box on the desk piled with official documents as if presenting a treasure, and opened the lid.
A strong, domineering aroma, with a hint of vinegar and the spiciness of chives, instantly exploded in the study filled with the fragrance of ink.
Fang Xuanling frowned and subconsciously pinched his nose.
"What...what is this? The smell is so pungent!"
He was a scholar, and he valued elegance.
Chives are a pungent and spicy food, and eating them will leave you with bad breath. They have never been considered a refined food.
"This is called a chive box!"
Fang Qingjun's eyes sparkled, "Mr. Su made it! Father, please don't mind, it's really delicious!"
"Wow, it's so delicious!"
Fang Qingjun was almost misled by Xiao Zhouzi's accent.
She took an oil paper package out of the box.
Although the chive boxes inside were a bit cold and the outer skin was no longer so crispy, becoming somewhat chewy, their golden tiger-skin color was still tempting.
Especially that oily aroma that still wafts out even when it's cold.
Fang Xuanling looked at his daughter's expectant eyes, and then at the large dumpling that looked "vulgar" no matter how he looked at it.
"Fine, since you brought it back especially for me—"
Fang Xuanling reluctantly reached out, pinched his nose, and bit it slightly as if he were about to die.
The dough is very chewy and has a wheat aroma.
Use your teeth to cut the chives.
A strange juice burst in my mouth.
Although it was cold, the aroma of chives, which had been brought to its full potential by the hot oil, mixed with the tenderness of the eggs and the sweetness of the dried shrimp, instantly broke through Fang Xuanling's insistence on "elegance".
The best part is that touch of aged vinegar!
Su Mu deliberately added a few drops of aged vinegar to the filling, which not only cut through the greasiness but also neutralized the originally unpleasant, unpleasant taste of the chives, turning it into an enticing sweet aftertaste.
Fang Xuanling slowly lowered his hand that was pinching his nose.
His eyes widened even more.
The chewing speed is getting faster and faster.
"this----"
Fang Xuanling stared at the bitten box in his hand, his face full of disbelief.
This stuff smells awful, but tastes so good?
Just like Wei Zheng in the imperial court, he may seem stubborn and inflexible, but he's really useful when it matters!
"Father, how is it?"
Fang Qingjun was somewhat smug.
"Hmm—not bad."
Fang Xuanling maintained a haughty demeanor, but his hands betrayed him, constantly stuffing the rest of the food into his mouth.
His cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel storing grain.
Only after swallowing the last bit of food did Fang Xuanling lick the oil off his lips, still feeling unsatisfied.
He even dipped his finger into two pieces of egg crumbs that had fallen on the official document, put them in his mouth, and slurped them up.
"cough!"
Upon discovering his daughter looking at him teasingly, Fang Xuanling blushed and quickly said seriously, "Although this dish is pungent and not suitable for high-ranking officials, its seasoning method is indeed unique. Especially the skin, which remains chewy and springy even when cold, something no ordinary chef can achieve."
He glanced at the empty food box.
"That's it?"
"That's all." Fang Qingjun shrugged. "I only managed to grab two. I ate one myself, and this one was specially saved for you."
Fang Xuanling sighed, suddenly realizing that his earlier nibbling had been far too refined.
I should have swallowed it whole!
He stood up, walked to the window, and opened it to let the smell out.
But in his heart he was thinking:
No wonder His Majesty was so distracted in court today.
This flavor is even better when it's hot and fresh out of the pot—
Fang Xuanling swallowed hard, turned to look at his daughter, his eyes filled with eagerness: "Qingjun, tomorrow—why don't you go to the backyard of the imperial kitchen again? I think that since these leek boxes can refresh the mind, eating a couple more might be very helpful in handling government affairs."
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