Chapter 296 - 173: Absolutely Perfect with Rice

Chapter 296: Chapter 173: Absolutely Perfect with Rice

Mapo Tofu is, without a doubt, one of the most famous dishes in Sichuan Cuisine, renowned both in China and internationally.

On the menu of any Sichuan restaurant, it holds a prominent spot, right alongside Twice-Cooked Pork.

Kung Pao Chicken wasn’t often seen in smaller eateries. In this era, the problem of sourcing a steady supply of chicken thighs was insurmountable, making it impossible for small restaurants to offer the dish.

But tofu? Tofu was as common as could be. It was dirt cheap, and you could find several stalls selling it in any given wet market.

Across the vast culinary landscape of China, from north to south, there was no one who didn’t enjoy it, and its preparation methods were incredibly diverse.

Tofu holds a very important place in Sichuan Cuisine. The people of Sichuan love tofu in all its different forms.

Take, for example, the fiercely competitive schools of "tofu brain" in Jiazhou, or the douhua restaurants that were popping up everywhere.

Douhua is a specialty of the Ba Shu region. Its texture is somewhere between tofu brain and soft tofu. It requires no complex cooking; simply paired with a flavorful dipping sauce, it can become a restaurant’s signature dish, or even the main draw for customers, which shows just how much the people of Sichuan and Chongqing adore it.

The douhua served in cold-pot fish was Zhou Yan’s personal favorite.

The "meat douhua," a hearty stew with crispy pork and other ingredients, was also quite representative.

Her thoughts returned to Mapo Tofu. She had researched the origin of this famous dish while making a video review of the Chen Mapo Tofu restaurant. The original Chen Mapo Tofu was founded in the first year of Emperor Tongzhi’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, 1862, over one hundred and twenty years ago. It was located by the Wanfu Bridge, north of Rongcheng.

The owner, Chen Chunfu, was skilled at making tofu. His wife had pockmarks on her face, earning her the nickname "Pockmarked Ma Chen." As her fame grew, the shop’s name was changed from "Chen Xingsheng Restaurant" to "Chen Mapo Tofu," a name that has lasted to this day.

She tapped open the recipe, and the knowledge instantly flooded her mind, surging rapidly.

From selecting and cutting the tofu, to stir-frying the ground beef topping, to the technique of thickening the sauce three separate times and the complex seasoning—she absorbed and mastered it all.

Zhou Yan closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she understood everything completely.

’No wonder most chefs can’t get Mapo Tofu right on their own,’ she thought. ’The method isn’t overly complicated, but the technique is extremely particular.’

Comrade Zhou soon returned and came into the kitchen to tell Zhou Yan, "Wei Kingdom said he has a meeting and won’t get off work until six. I told him to come over after he’s done. We’ll have dinner after we close."

"Okay," Zhou Yan said with a smile and a nod. She walked out of the kitchen to where Zhang Zhengping was drinking water. "Granduncle, take a look at the menu. Tell me what you’d like to eat tonight, and I’ll set it aside so the customers don’t order it all."

Zhang Zhengping waved his hand with a smile. "Let the customers order first. We’ll eat whatever is left. We’re family, it doesn’t matter."

Mrs. Xiang put down her bowl and chuckled. "You have no idea how busy this place is. If you don’t pick something, we’ll be eating the table for dinner."

"It’s that popular?" Zhang Zhengping looked surprised. He put down his bowl and began to study the menu seriously. "In that case, I’ll have the stir-fried pork liver and a plate of braised beef. You can decide the rest.

"I just love stir-fried pork liver, but your grandaunt’s skill is just terrible. She cuts the slices way too thick and overcooks them until they’re tough and mealy, with a bitter aftertaste."

"And I haven’t had Third Sister’s braised beef in years. I’d like to see how yours compares to hers."

Zhou Yan nodded with a smile and looked at Mrs. Xiang. "Grandma, why don’t you pick a couple of dishes?"

After a moment’s thought, Mrs. Xiang said, "I’ll have the Huo Xiang Carp, then. And set aside a plate of the five-spice braised vegetables—make sure there’s plenty of tofu skin. You can also make a Mapo Tofu and stir-fry some cabbage. I think that should be enough."

"Alright." Zhou Yan then turned to Zhao Hong. "Sister-in-law, could you pick up Fanwa and Huihui after school? Have Fei come over for dinner tonight, too. We’ll have a small get-together."

"Sure thing," Zhao Hong agreed with a smile.

Her granduncle rarely visited, so naturally, Zhou Yan wanted to treat him to a proper feast.

Elder TCM Practitioner Zhang had been absolutely crucial to the smooth completion of today’s mission.

Never mind healing her leg and eyes—he had given her immense faith.

The Zhou Family was too large, and tonight was too rushed to invite everyone.

Just now, she had overheard Comrade Zhou and Mrs. Zhao quietly discussing plans to talk with a few of the brothers about getting together on another day.

Her granduncle’s visit was the catalyst, but the main reason was that they had moved to town and settled in, yet they still hadn’t invited their own brothers over for a meal. The coming Sunday, when they were free, would be the perfect time to arrange it.

"Granduncle, what are all these little needles for?" Zhou Momo sidled up to Zhang Zhengping, asking curiously as she watched him organize his cloth pouch.

"These are silver needles. They’re for sticking into people," Zhang Zhengping said with a grin.

Hearing this, Zhou Momo quickly shrank back into her grandmother’s arms. Peeking her head out, she continued to ask curiously, "Granduncle, what about these little jars?"

"You heat them with fire, then stick them onto people’s bodies," Zhang Zhengping explained.

Zhou Momo wasn’t curious anymore. She pulled her head back and whispered to her grandmother, "Grandma, Granduncle doesn’t seem like a very good person..."

The main hall erupted in laughter.

"Zhou Momo, what a thing to say!" Zhao Tieying laughed. "Granduncle is a retired doctor, a great man who saves lives."

"Oh! A doctor!" Zhou Momo’s eyes lit up. No longer afraid, she moved closer to Zhang Zhengping. "Granduncle, does that mean you use the needles to fight bad guys? And you use the jars to burn bad guys?"

As the others chatted and teased the child, Zhou Yan returned to the kitchen to start prepping the ingredients.

At five o’clock, the bell rang at the textile mill, signaling the end of the workday. Workers poured out, some riding and some pushing their bicycles.

A long line formed at the entrance of Zhou Yan Restaurant, and the tables inside quickly filled up.

"There really are a lot of people," Zhang Zhengping remarked with a sigh. After a word to Mrs. Xiang, he put his hands behind his back and went for a stroll.

Mrs. Xiang relaxed in a reclining chair by the entrance, a gentle smile on her face as she watched Zhou Miao sell braised dishes and Zhou Momo greet customers.