The Female Supporting Role Shows Out

Chapter 21

Translator: NovelMultiverse | Editor: NovelMultiverse

Tang Jiu craned his neck to look into the earthen jar, but Lin Dan pushed him away and said jokingly, "You better not fall into it, or you may turn into a piece of braised meat!"

Tang Jiu was amused and looked at her eagerly, "The broth you make is completely different from the others."

Lin Dan explained slowly, "In 'Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals – The Root of Tastes', it says that the root of all flavors is where water is the foundation, and it is boiled nine times with five flavors and three food ingredients to create the most flavorful broth. In my three pots of broths, I used clear and soothing mountain spring water and added several homemade spices and Nanshan pine wood. I'll bring it to boil whenever I add new spices and repeat this step nine times. The flavors will enhance each time before finally becoming a pot of good broth. This technique is naturally different from the others as the broth tastes salty and sweet at the same time, and its aroma is rich and light. It is made by my unique 'Flavor Enhancing Method', which creates a broth that is richer than any other ordinary broths."

Lin Dan fished out the chicken, duck, and pork knuckles and put them into a food box before cutting large chunks of pork belly into slices. She then made a dipping sauce that matched the taste of the meat and continued, "Braised broth that is cooked for a long time tastes better. This is why we must keep adding fresh ingredients. You may take this cooked food back and savor them. This is to thank you for taking care of me in the past few days."

"Don't mention it." Tang Jiu said politely but stretched out his hand to take the food box and said, "I remember you added pigskin into the pot, why don't I see it?" Braised pig skin was one of his favorite foods and he had to ask about it.

Lin Dan pointed to the pork knuckles and pork belly and chuckled, "Did you see that? As I have deep-fried the knuckles and pork belly, it will not disintegrate after cooking for so long because it has a burnt outer layer that protects the tender meat underneath. But as I've added in fresh pig skin that has not been fried before, it liquefies after boiling for a few hours and blends into the broth. A good pot of braised broth must be both fragrant and viscous, but how can we create its viscosity? It's all about making use of rich animal fat and collagen. Freshly made broth wouldn't taste like broth that has been cooked for a long time without dissolving the pigskin. But if you like pigskin, I will deep-fry it the next time, add it into the pot, and let it cool before it is ready for you to collect it."

Lin Dan frequently talked about food literature. At times, she would make casual comments that were actually secret cooking techniques that others would not be able to learn for a lifetime. This had always fascinated Tang Jiu. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva and reiterated, "Please add more pigskin. I'll come back and collect the next time. If you have met with any trouble, you may find me at the Ministry of War, I will be there on duty."

Lin Dan did not inquire more about Tang Jiu's identity at all, nor did she feel intimidated by the thought of being acquainted with an official. She nodded and smiled before seeing him off.

Tang Jiu was actually disappointed that Lin Dan did not ask more about his identity. He kept looking back as he walked out with mixed emotions. When he turned into the entrance of the alley, he saw a few people rushing out of the gambling den and shouted: "Why is that delicious smell gone? Is someone cooking at home? That smelled too damn good! I'mma stop gambling and go home for dinner right now!"

After some time, everyone in the alley opened their doors to check on each other's kitchen and were drooling. They could smell an extraordinary aroma of braised broth.

Tang Jiu then slowly walked away with the food box in hand, shaking his head and chuckling. He could hear whispers from passers-by as he walked on, "Who was making braised food just now? Did you smell that? It smelled heavenly!"