EBE Chapter 215 Enjoyable Eating
Chapter 215 Enjoyable Eating
The soup base of snail noodles can be said to be the soul. The snails are the core. After being washed, desilted, and the tails cut off, they are stir-fried with ginger, garlic, and chili peppers, and then boiled with water to release their unique deliciousness.
Pork shanks, beef bones and other bones are also key. After a long period of boiling, the nutrients and flavor are integrated into the soup, making the soup base rich, mellow and thick.
Star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and other spices are slowly stir-fried over low heat to bring out their fragrance, removing any unpleasant odors while imparting a rich, layered aroma to the broth. Sour bamboo shoots, with their unique tartness and fermented aroma, add a rich, unique flavor to the broth, blending seamlessly with the other flavors. Chili peppers, chosen to your taste, add an alluring spiciness and color.
During preparation, the snails must be carefully handled, the spices carefully sautéed, and the bones and snails simmered for an hour or two, or even longer. The resulting broth has a distinct flavor profile, combining the rich umami of the snails and bones, the refreshing sourness of pickled bamboo shoots, the spiciness of chili peppers, and the tangy aroma of a variety of spices.
In order to let Ji Yanchuan and Mu Qingfeng eat the most authentic and delicious snail noodles, Cheng Yuntao did not dare to be careless in the step of making the soup base and stayed in the kitchen for the whole afternoon.
Finally, near dusk, three bowls of steaming snail noodles were served on the table.
The rice noodles are white and slender, soaked in a rich soup with a rich variety of side dishes. The bright red chili oil floats on the soup surface, contrasting with the emerald green vegetables, golden bean curd sheets, and brown fungus. The color combination is very tempting.
The unique smell of sour bamboo shoots also spread and lingered in the air.
When Ji Yanchuan saw the snail noodles, his eyes were full of curiosity. He leaned forward slightly and asked with a hint of inquiry: "Miss Yuntao, what kind of noodles are these?"
Cheng Yuntao responded with a smile: "Boss Ji, this is snail rice noodle."
"Snail noodles?" Ji Yanchuan repeated with a frown, then his eyes fell on the rich soup base, "But there are snails in the soup base?"
Cheng Yuntao affirmed: "That's right."
Ji Yanchuan's mind instantly emerged with the spicy snails he tasted last time. The tender snail meat was soaked in the spicy and fragrant soup. It was so delicious that it was unstoppable in one bite.
Thinking of this, he instantly became interested in the snail noodles in front of him. The curiosity in his eyes turned into anticipation, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised. He said, "Then I must try it carefully to see what the noodles made with snails in the soup taste like."
Mu Qingfeng was standing aside, watching his master's reaction, and he couldn't help swallowing his saliva, his eyes also full of anticipation.
Although snail noodles are also smelly, the smell is slightly different from that of stinky tofu.
The smell of stinky tofu is strong and direct, while the smell of snail noodles is more complex. The unique fermented smell of sour bamboo shoots is mixed with the fresh fishy smell of snails, the mellow aroma of spices, and the rich fragrance of boiled bones. The various flavors are intertwined and distinct.
Ji Yanchuan and Mu Qingfeng did not pick up their chopsticks immediately. Instead, they first caught the smell in the air, their nostrils flaring slightly, trying to distinguish the components of this complex smell.
Cheng Yuntao couldn't wait any longer. After a busy afternoon in the kitchen, she was starving. She picked up her chopsticks, scooped up a handful of soup-soaked rice noodles, and thrust them into her mouth. With a slurp, the noodles slid smoothly into her mouth, their rich flavor instantly filling her tongue.
As she chewed, she mumbled, "Hmm! That's the taste! Come and try it!"
Seeing Cheng Yuntao eating heartily, Ji Yanchuan and Mu Qingfeng were unwilling to be outdone, and immediately lowered their heads to slurp the noodles.
The taste of snail noodles is amazing. The rice noodles are smooth and chewy when you put them in your mouth. When you chew them, they are very tough and have a great chewiness. Every bite is full and satisfying.
The sour bamboo shoots are extraordinarily crisp and tender, and they make a crunching sound when you bite them, and the crisp sound echoes in your mouth; after being fried, the bean curd sheets are crispy at first, and after being soaked in the soup for a while, they become soft on the outside and crispy on the inside, with rich layers and varied tastes; after being stir-fried or fried, the peanuts are extremely crispy and fragrant, and the taste is very different from other ingredients. Every time you chew one, the fragrance is overflowing; the wood ear mushrooms are crispy, tender and smooth, and are soaked in the soup. They have the mellow taste of the soup and their own crisp texture. When you chew them in your mouth, you can feel the crispness.
The broth is the essence of the dish. The snails, simmered for a long time, are fully revealed, blending with the freshness of the pork bones and chicken racks to create a rich, mellow broth. This savory flavor is not a single one, but encompasses the sweetness of the snails, the richness of the pork bones, and the savory aroma of the chicken racks. These intertwined flavors collide on the tip of the tongue, creating a thousand delights.
The sour bamboo shoots have a unique flavor, their sourness refreshing and appetizing, while the unique fermented aroma makes them incredibly appetizing, adding a unique touch to the snail noodles. The hot chili oil adds a vibrant and intense spiciness to the bowl of noodles, complementing the other flavors and enriching the flavor.
In addition, the blending of seasonings such as soy sauce and vinegar creates a mixture of salty, sweet, and sour flavors, which, combined with the freshness of snail soup, the sourness of pickled bamboo shoots, and the spiciness of chili oil, ultimately create a unique taste that combines salty, sour, spicy, fresh, and sweet. With every bite, you can taste the blending and changes of various flavors, making it unforgettable and impossible to stop eating.
Ji Yanchuan and Mu Qingfeng immersed themselves in tasting the noodles. At first they were quite polite, but as they slurped the noodles more and more frequently, they were already immersed in it. Beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads, and they kept letting out satisfied exclamations.
Seeing this, Cheng Yuntao stopped what she was doing and looked at the two of them, her eyes full of anticipation: "Boss Ji, Manager Mu, what do you think of the taste of this snail noodle? Do you like it?"
Ji Yanchuan finally came to his senses, put down his chopsticks, picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, cleared his throat and said, "The delicious broth first hits your taste buds, followed by the sourness of the pickled bamboo shoots, the spiciness of the chili oil, and the salty and sweet flavors of the seasonings. It's very rich in layers, and every bite brings a new taste, making it more and more addictive."
Mu Qingfeng also nodded quickly and took over the conversation: "Yes, yes, the noodles are smooth and chewy, and the side dishes are just right, especially the sour bamboo shoots, which smell bad but taste good, and match the other flavors perfectly. I'm almost finished this bowl." After saying that, he shook the half-empty bowl in his hand, a satisfied smile on his face.
Suddenly, Mu Qingfeng's expression straightened. He put down his bowl and chopsticks, looked at Cheng Yuntao sincerely, and said with a guilty tone, "Miss Cheng, I have to apologize to you solemnly. I misunderstood you before and my attitude was so bad. It was really offensive."
Cheng Yuntao had no grudges in her heart and said in a cheerful tone, "Don't worry about it, Steward Mu. I didn't take what happened just now to heart at all. It's getting late now, and I should go back. I wonder if you could trouble Steward Mu to drive me there?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingfeng nodded quickly and said, "Miss Cheng, you're too polite. Please take a rest and I'll make arrangements right away." After that, he stood up swiftly and walked quickly towards the door.