Chapter 298 - 173: Absolutely Perfect with Rice

Chapter 298: Chapter 173: Absolutely Perfect with Rice

If the Mapo Tofu doesn’t hold its shape, it’s a failure.

He added a splash of dark soy sauce for color and aroma.

On the left burner, the fish simmered over low heat; on the right, the tofu cooked over high heat.

This was the classic principle of "high heat for tofu, low heat for fish."

Mapo Tofu requires being thickened three times. After the sauce had reduced by about half over high heat, he scattered in the white parts of the green garlic stalks and began the first thickening. He added a small amount of cornstarch slurry and gently pushed the tofu with a spoon, causing the sauce to begin to thicken.

He started the second thickening. This time, he added more of the slurry, again using the back of his spatula to gently push the tofu so it would be evenly coated in the sauce.

For the third and final thickening, he added just a bit more slurry, reducing the liquid until the sauce was thick and the oil began to separate. He scattered in the previously chopped green garlic leaves, gave it a few more gentle nudges with the ladle to release their fragrance, and the dish was ready.

Two earthenware bowls sat on the stove. He poured the Mapo Tofu into them. The dish glistened with sauce and oil, its white tofu cubes tinged with red. He sprinkled a pinch of Sichuan peppercorn powder on top, and the green garlic leaves and savory ground beef scattered throughout made it look absolutely irresistible.

[An Exceptionally Good Mapo Tofu]

The Identification result flashed before Zhou Yan’s eyes.

’Why isn’t it perfect, though?’

’Because I just used plain water. Authentic Mapo Tofu should be made with beef bone broth. Tomorrow, I’ll set up a coal stove and simmer a separate pot of it. The dish will be even more delicious then.’

"It smells amazing! Uncle, this tofu even tastes like beef!" Zhou Lihui exclaimed.

"I used a hundred grams of stir-fried ground sirloin, so of course it tastes like beef." Zhou Yan smiled, placed a serving spoon in each bowl, and said, "Huihui, take the Mapo Tofu out to the table. Be careful, it’s hot."

"You got it!" Zhou Lihui replied, carefully picking up the two bowls of Mapo Tofu and heading out.

Zhou Yan lifted the carp out of the wok, reduced the remaining sauce, and poured it over the fish. The Huo Xiang Carp was complete.

He cranked up the heat, and in the blink of an eye, a dish of flash-fried pork liver was ready.

When Zhou Yan came out with two plates of flash-fried pork liver, everyone was already seated around the table. Zhou Miao was pouring drinks for his grandmother and grand-uncle.

"Brother, come sit with me~" Zhou Momo said, looking back at him and patting the empty seat beside her.

"Come on, we were all waiting for you," Mrs. Zhao added with a smile.

"What are you waiting for me for? Dig in while it’s hot," Zhou Yan said with a laugh as he set the dishes down.

"How could we dare start eating before the Chef sits down?" Zhang Zhengping said with a smile. His eyes, full of amazement, landed on the Mapo Tofu. "This Mapo Tofu of yours looks incredibly authentic. The sauce and oil are glistening, and it smells wonderful. It honestly looks even more appetizing than the Chen Mapo Tofu I had in Rongcheng."

"But isn’t Chen Mapo Tofu the original? How can it be more authentic than theirs?" the old matriarch asked, puzzled.

Zhou Yan smiled as well. "Grand-uncle has had the real deal, so why don’t you try mine and tell me how it measures up."

"Alright, I’ll give it a try." Zhang Zhengping picked up the serving spoon and ladled a scoop of tofu into his bowl. It was thoroughly coated in the sauce and chili oil, studded with bits of ground beef.

"It’s fresh out of the wok, so it’s a little hot," Zhou Yan reminded him.

"No problem. Tofu should be eaten piping hot, and a wife should be plump! Mapo Tofu is meant to be searing hot; that’s the only way to get the true flavor." Zhang Zhengping picked up a piece of tofu, put it in his mouth, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Numbing, spicy, savory, fragrant, tender, crisp, hot, and whole—all eight sensations converged in that single bite!

It was scalding hot, but unbelievably fragrant!

His lips trembling from the heat, Zhang Zhengping swallowed the tofu and stared at Zhou Yan in utter amazement. "Whoa! This Mapo Tofu is absolutely fantastic! I think it’s even more authentic than the version they make at the restaurant behind my hospital!"

"They list all the classic characteristics of Mapo Tofu on their wall, but I’ve never been able to taste all of them in their dish. With that one bite just now, though, I finally experienced it all!"

"The numbing, spicy, savory, and fragrant flavors have all seeped deep into the tofu. The texture is incredibly smooth and tender, while the ground beef is both crispy and fragrant. Paired with the unique aroma of the green garlic, it’s simply divine!"

"I need to get some rice. This Mapo Tofu is made for rice, not for drinking. You have to eat it with rice to truly enjoy it."

With that, Zhang Zhengping started to get up.

"Uncle, stay seated. I’ll get it for you." Quick as a flash, Zhao Tieying took his bowl and headed over to the rice container.

"Let me have a taste." Hearing his praise, the old matriarch also served herself a spoonful. She picked up a piece with her chopsticks; it wobbled, visibly tender. After slowly savoring it, she couldn’t help but nod again and again.

"This really is something else! Much better than that restaurant in Jiazhou. It’s perfectly numbing and spicy, the beef is so fragrant, and the tofu is incredibly smooth. It’s definitely a dish that calls for rice."

"Zhou Miao, get me a bowl of rice, too."

"Got it." Zhou Miao smiled, getting up to take her bowl and fill it with rice.

Hearing their reactions, everyone else couldn’t resist ladling a spoonful of Mapo Tofu into their own bowls to try.

"It smells amazing! This tofu is made perfectly!"

"I need rice, too! This would be incredible mixed with rice!"

"Mom, I want rice!"

Everyone was showering it with praise as they grabbed their bowls to get rice.

Zhang Zhengping already had his rice. He spooned a generous amount of tofu over it and broke it up with a couple of pokes from his chopsticks. The tender tofu crumbled instantly, mixing with the sauce, chili oil, and ground meat. The whole mixture glistened as he stirred it into the rice. He took a huge mouthful and was practically sent into a daze by the incredible flavor.

"Incredible! I haven’t had Mapo Tofu this good in ages!"

"It’s the ultimate dish to have with rice!"

"I’m seriously considering asking my wife for permission to stay in Suji for another month."

Zhang Zhengping’s eyes narrowed into slits, his expression one of pure, unadulterated bliss.

"Go ahead and stay. As long as you’re not afraid of Yurong coming here to hunt you down, you can stay until New Year’s for all I care," the old matriarch said with a laugh.