Chapter 299 - 173: Truly Superb with Rice

Chapter 299: Chapter 173: Truly Superb with Rice

"Screw it, I still have to go back and cook for her, or she’ll give me hell," Zhang Zhengping muttered, shrinking back.

Zhou Yan filled a bowl with rice as well, then ladled a spoonful of Mapo Tofu on top. Fragrant, spicy red oil enveloped the silky tofu and crispy, aromatic minced meat. The sauce had been thickened to perfection, allowing it to cling just right to the tofu’s smooth surface. The consistency was the result of a precise, three-step thickening process.

If the sauce was too thick, it wouldn’t be glossy and glistening with oil. If it was too thin, it couldn’t hold the flavor or the minced meat. This level of Fire Control was a true test of skill, and it was the very reason so many Sichuan Cuisine restaurants couldn’t get their Mapo Tofu right.

The first sensation as the Mapo Tofu entered his mouth was intense heat!

The numbing fragrance of Sichuan peppercorns, the heat of the broad bean paste, the savory aroma of fermented black beans, and the fresh scent of garlic sprouts—each flavor was distinct, yet they all blended together perfectly.

The minced beef was the masterstroke, adding a rich beefy aroma to the Mapo Tofu’s sauce.

The originally crispy minced beef, having simmered in the sauce, took on a wonderfully tender texture. Eaten together with the tofu, it added another layer of savory flavor and texture.

That one bite was numbing, spicy, savory, and aromatic; tender yet firm, and piping hot through and through!

Even Zhou Yan himself wanted to applaud in admiration. One bite was all it took to prove its mastery.

Perfect tofu, combined with perfect technique, had produced this ultimate Mapo Tofu!

It was just unbelievably aromatic.

Zhou Yan was certain: if he put Mapo Tofu on the menu tomorrow, it would be an absolute blockbuster!

He was going to give the textile factory workers a taste of something so good it would blow them away.

"Brother, is the tofu spicy?" Zhou Momo watched wistfully from the side, looking hesitantly at the fiery red Mapo Tofu.

"It’s spicy for you," Zhou Yan said with a smile, "and it’s that numbing kind of spicy that you don’t like." He put two spare ribs into her bowl. "How about you eat some nice meat instead?"

"Mmm-hmm!" Zhou Momo nodded and happily bent her head down to gnaw on the ribs.

Zhang Zhengping shoveled down half his bowl of rice in a few quick bites, his gaze shifting to the stir-fried pork liver. Full of anticipation, he picked up a slice and said with a smile, "Look at this, now *this* is what pork liver should be. So evenly sliced."

He popped it into his mouth and, after chewing it thoughtfully, his eyebrows shot up. Finishing the slice of liver, he gave everyone a living demonstration of pure delight, exclaiming, "This liver is so tender! Numbing, spicy, savory, and aromatic! Delicious!"

"If you like it, Grand-uncle, please have some more," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

Zhang Zhengping declared with a serious expression, "I’m going to send your grand-aunt over to learn from you. I want her to see how stir-fried pork liver is actually supposed to be cooked. With her method, the pig died in vain."

"If you dare send Yurong here, I’ll accept on Zhou Yan’s behalf," the old lady said, beaming. "And then you can repeat what you just said to her face."

"I’ll say it, so what? It’s the truth! I’m not afraid of her in the slightest," Zhang Zhengping said defiantly.

The old lady said seriously, "You said it yourself. When we get home, I’ll have Wei Kingdom write a letter to Yurong, inviting her for a visit."

"Hey now, Third Sister, it’s rare enough for us brother and sister to get together. Why bring an outsider into it?" Zhang Zhengping started to panic. "Let’s eat, let’s eat. Let’s drop it."

The old lady said no more, her smile especially gleeful.

The old lady was quite pleased. It was a joy to still have a younger brother to tease at her age.

Zhou Yan laughed too. It was clear that his grand-uncle was thoroughly henpecked.

"The braised beef and braised vegetables are delicious too! The flavor is so authentic!" Zhang Zhengping put down his chopsticks and looked at Zhou Yan with admiration. "Zhou Yan, my boy, your cooking skills are just outstanding. Every single dish is bursting with flavor, a true feast for the senses with its color, aroma, and taste! This Suji Town is too small; it’s burying your talent. With skills like yours, you should be aiming for a much bigger stage!"

Before Zhou Yan could reply, the old lady spoke slowly and deliberately. "The size of your hands determines the size of the bowl you can carry. If your hands are small, and you try to carry a large bowl, you won’t be able to hold it steady and you’ll likely drop it. One person, one bowl of rice. For now, it’s enough to just focus on holding your own bowl properly."