Li Hehua's words reached the hearts of the people. Indeed, the reception of this happy event is an important thing. When the foods in the banquet are delicious, the quest will definitely eat well. It is a great honor and people will look up to it. This is also the reason why people, although not rich, will buy enough food once there is a happy event. They also especially invite people in preparing the banquets.
"Of course, we should prepare well for this occasion. My family hired the best chef in the eight villages just to prepare this banquet. Everyone praises his craftsmanship." Old Man Wang said.
In fact, what Old Man Wang really want to say is, 'How can a young woman compare to a chef who has been working for decades?'
Li Hehua felt the distrust in Old Man Wang's words but she didn't get angry. She continued, "Uncle, I believe that other's craftsmanship is definitely not bad, but I also believe that my own craftsmanship is definitely not worse than others. If I don't have real ability, would I even dare to say big things? Let me try and cook you a dish. Try it and see which craftsmanship is better. If the other's is better, then I won't say a word and leave immediately.
Li Hehua's words made the people watching the fun lively.
"This woman is so confident. Isn't she bragging?"
"Zhou Laogen has been cooking for decades, can her craftsmanship even compare to his?"
"That's not necessarily true. That woman dared to cook and make a dish. Maybe she really has the ability."
At this time someone said, "Old Man Wang, let her try it. It's almost lunch time anyway. It's just the right time to cook a dish.
Those words were immediately echoed by those around him.
At this time, Old Man Wang's family also came out. A young man, who looked eighteen or nineteen years old, pulled Old Man Wang's sleeves and said,
"Father, let her try it. If she's not good, we won't hire her. We have nothing to lose. If she's really better than Zhou Laogen, then we will have people to prepare the banquet.
Old Man Wang saw that everyone agreed to let her it. He no longer hesitate and agreed. "Okay, I'll let you try it. It can be said that trying is free so we won't pay you."
Li Hehua hurriedly said, "I definitely won't charge money. I'll just make it for you to taste."
Old Man Wang turned around, "Then come with me. I just happened to caught some fish today. You will be preparing the fish."
Li Hehua was overjoyed. She hurriedly keep up.
The villagers who were watching the fun also refused to leave, they all followed into the kitchen. The kitchen space was not enough for so many people, so they just stood outside and watched.
Li Hehua didn't care about the number of people outside. She went straight into the kitchen and saw a snakehead that had been killed.
Snakehead is a very good material for making pickled fish. Li Hehua plans to make pickled fish.
Li Hehua asked Old Man Wang: "Uncle, do you have some sauerkraut at home? Can you bring me a bowl?"
Old Man Wang nodded, "Okay, wait." Then he asked his wife to fetch the sauerkraut.
Li Hehua began to deal with snakehead.
First cut the meat of the thick part of the fish into slices diagonally. She then cut off the head, tail, and row of the fish as materials for making the fish soup later. The sliced fish is then marinated with egg whites and cooking wine.
While marinating, Li Hehua prepares the ingredients such as ginger slices, garlic, peppercorns, etc., then heated the wok and poured some oil. She added ginger slices, garlic cloves, peppercorns, chili peppers and stir-fry it until fragrant. Pour the fish head, fish tail and other soup ingredients into the pot and stir. She then pour the cooking wine and continue to stir fry.
Soon, a tantalizing smell came from the kitchen.
Many of the onlookers didn't know what she's doing. Is it braised fish and a soup? Why put it piece by piece? And what are you doing with so much sauerkraut?
Old Man Wang's wife, Aunt Wang, was also very curious and could not help but ask, "Girl, what are you doing? It seems that I have never seen it before."
"I'm making sauerkraut fish. Ordinary people don't know how to make it." It seems like the people here don't know sauerkraut fish.
After listening to Li Hehua's words, everyone understood that this dish was her unique recipe. Their feelings for her suddenly risen, and they believed that she was indeed capable.
Li Hehua didn't care about their discussions, and just continued the action of her hands. After the fish pieces were fried and turned white, she poured boiling water into the wok. She then poured the sauerkraut and boiled it together with the fish soup. After the fish in the wok is cooked medium, she pour it into another pot. She then use chopsticks to evenly clamp the marinated fish fillets into the pot, scald with high heat until discolored and turn off the heat.
Finally, she spread the dried red pepper segments and peppercorns on the fish fillets. She sprinkle it with coriander and a tablespoon of oil. The pickled fish is ready.
***
T/N: I don't freaking know the process of making this dish! It's hard to translate. I added a youtube link in making one upstairs for your references. It seems to have the same process written by the author hehe. Next update tomorrow! ;)