Chapter 347 - 188: What Do You Call Perfect Fish-Fragrant Pork Slivers?

Chapter 347: Chapter 188: What Do You Call Perfect Fish-Fragrant Pork Slivers?

"Let me see how this tastes." Ji Hongtao picked up his chopsticks, put a piece of the fish-fragrant shredded pork into his mouth, and savored it carefully. His eyes lit up. After swallowing, he immediately exclaimed with admiration, "A little sweet, a little sour, a little spicy. The fragrance of the ginger, scallion, and garlic is very prominent, and the flavor of the pickled Erjingtiao peppers is just right. This is a truly authentic fish-fragrant flavor! The pork is moist and refreshing, tender and smooth!"

"The shredded celtuce is crisp and refreshing, with a light fragrance. The wood ear mushrooms are soft with a bit of a crunch. They go so perfectly with the fish-fragrant shredded pork! The taste is absolutely fantastic!"

"This fish-fragrant shredded pork is unbeatable! I’m getting another bowl of rice!"

Ji Hongtao quickly finished the last mouthful of rice in his bowl and stood up to get more, a gesture of respect.

Hearing this, everyone else picked up their chopsticks.

"Salty, fragrant, sour, and spicy with a hint of sweetness on the finish. This fish-fragrant flavor is really something else. If you used it to make Fish-Flavored Eggplant, it would definitely be delicious too." Zhang Zhengping tried a bite and also nodded repeatedly. He looked at Zhou Yan and chuckled. "You cook too well, kid. When your grandaunt’s leg is better, I’m definitely bringing her to Suji to stay for a month. We’ll eat at your restaurant for all three meals a day and spend my entire retirement fund right here."

"You and Grandaunt should just come and eat whenever you like. What’s the need to spend any money?" Zhou Yan said with a smile, shaking his head.

"Now that wouldn’t be right of you. If you don’t take our money, how could your grandaunt and I possibly have the nerve to come? I’d have to leave after just one meal," Zhang Zhengping said, shaking his head. "When you’re doing business, you have to treat me like a customer. Just make sure the food tastes good and the portions are generous. That’s all the filial piety I need."

Zhou Yan nodded. "Okay, whatever you say, Granduncle."

"Teacher has always been a man of such principle. He hasn’t changed a bit over all these years." Ji Hongtao put down his bowl and, with a smile, added half a bowl of rice to Zhang Zhengping’s.

He was enjoying this meal immensely. Although it was a family banquet, everyone in the Zhou Family was incredibly friendly and cultured.

There was no deliberate fawning, nor any obvious ulterior motive.

On the contrary, he was the one who had come empty-handed, eaten such a delicious meal, and drunk a generous amount of fine liquor. He was starting to feel a little embarrassed.

Besides, the Zhou Family had produced two first-class merit winners. Zhou Weiguo was already a deputy section chief at only thirty-three. It was hard to say who was currying favor with whom.

"Minister Zhou, a toast to you," Ji Hongtao said with a smile, raising his glass.

"You’re too kind, Dean Ji." Zhou Weiguo raised his glass and gently clinked it against his.

Zhou Yan didn’t drink, so he toasted all the elders at the table with tea in place of alcohol. After putting down his cup, he began to eat in earnest.

He first tried a bite of the fish-fragrant shredded pork. It was salty, fragrant, sour, spicy, and sweet—a perfect harmony of the five flavors. The zesty sourness came from both the vinegar and the pickled Erjingtiao peppers, which was the masterstroke of the fish-fragrant profile.

The sweetness wasn’t overpowering. It left a pleasant aftertaste upon swallowing, which served to enhance the dish’s overall umami.

The texture of the ’second knife’ cut of pork was indeed more succulent and satisfying, something pure pork loin couldn’t compare to.

The flavor even exceeded his expectations!

’What does it mean to be the perfect fish-fragrant shredded pork?’

’This!’

’This is it!’

Zhou Yan’s inner marketing guru was starting to catch fire.

’However, if this dish becomes a bestseller, the consumption of the ’second knife’ cut will increase significantly.’

’Fortunately, Zhang the Third has already helped me open up the pork supply chain in Jiazhou, so increasing the supply shouldn’t be a problem.’

And judging from everyone’s reaction to the fish-fragrant shredded pork, the dish was very likely to be a hit with customers.

"Little Aunt, you have the last piece of braised pork ribs."

"Little Aunt, try this shredded pork. It’s sour and spicy, and a little sweet. It’s not too spicy."

"Little Aunt..."

The children at the next table were taking turns putting food on Zhou Momo’s plate. What was this mix of respect and doting all about?

Zhou Yan turned to look at the little one sitting primly in the main seat, waiting for her grandnephews to feed her, and couldn’t help but smile.

’It’s nice. She’s being well taken care of.’

’With a group of grandnephews like that, she won’t get bullied by any brats no matter where she goes in Suji.’

After finishing his third bowl of rice and second glass of liquor, Ji Hongtao chatted with his esteemed teacher for a long time. Only when everyone was full did he rise to leave, slightly tipsy.

Zhou Yan walked him to the door.

"I was on duty today and rushed right over after my shift, so I came empty-handed. I’m really quite embarrassed," Ji Hongtao said, grabbing Zhou Yan’s hand, his voice tinged with a slight slur from the alcohol. "Zhou, you’re my master’s grandson, which makes you my junior. If you ever need help with anything in the future, just come find me at the hospital. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll do it without a second thought."

’That’s what I was waiting to hear,’ Zhou Yan thought with a smile. "Okay. Do you need me to take you home, Uncle Ji? You still seem a little tipsy."

"No need. The family courtyard isn’t that far. Ten ounces of liquor is still manageable. I’ll just get some fresh air to sober up a bit on the way back; it’s perfect. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to sleep in the study when I get home," Ji Hongtao said with a laugh, patting Zhou Yan’s arm. "You go on back. Next time, I’ll bring my wife and two kids over for a meal."

"Alright, take care then." Zhou Yan nodded. He watched Ji Hongtao leave, only turning to go back inside the restaurant after confirming he was walking in a relatively straight line and sticking close to the wall.

’True, he is a hospital vice dean, after all. There’s no way his alcohol tolerance is only ten ounces.’

"Zhou Yan, wait a bit before you start your ’lecture,’ okay? Let us finish washing the dishes first."

"That fish-fragrant shredded pork was so delicious! You have to tell us how you make the sauce taste so perfect."

The aunties and sisters-in-law were clearing the tables, and they all chimed in with a smile when they saw Zhou Yan enter.

"Sure thing. I’ll write down the sauce proportions for you all." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile. He took out a pen and some paper from behind the counter and, in one go, wrote out seven or eight copies of a simplified, home-style recipe.

He simplified it a bit to make it easier to follow, but as long as they stuck to the recipe, the home-cooked version would still taste great—definitely good enough to show off at a family gathering.