Chapter 412 - 205: A Pretty Good Braised Chicken with Taro
It melted in the mouth like a snowflake, silky and delicate. The texture was simply incredible!
It was tender and fragrant. The moment it entered your mouth, you could taste the pure, rich flavor of the chicken.
"Eating chicken without seeing any chicken—it’s so magical! I have to say, it’s so savory and tender. This is the first time I’ve ever had such a unique dish," Mrs. Zhao exclaimed in admiration.
"It is delicious—silky, tender, and very fragrant." Zhao Hong also took a bite, smacking her lips. "It’s just that it feels like I’ve eaten, but also like I haven’t. It’s a little strange."
"That’s right. It’s delicious, but it’s not the kind of dish you eat with rice," Comrade Zhou nodded in agreement.
"You only use the two breast pieces from a whole chicken. If this were on the menu, I doubt anyone would even order it once in ten days," Mrs. Zhao added.
"It’s not meant to be a staple dish. It’s typically served as a transitional course in a banquet for everyone to have a few bites and savor the flavor. It won’t be going on our menu," Zhou Yan said with a smile.
Although Comrade Zhou and the others weren’t gourmands, their comments hit the nail on the head, representing the true feelings of small-town diners.
’Even if I could make this dish perfectly, it still couldn’t go on our family’s menu.’
’Just because it doesn’t go with rice doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious. This is a gourmet experience this town has never seen before.’
Just look at Zhou Momo, head down, shoveling it in one spoonful at a time. She had nearly dug out an entire side of the "snow mountain."
"Eat up! We can’t let her eat so much she gets sick of it," Mrs. Zhao quickly called to Comrade Zhou and Zhao Hong as they launched their own assault on the "snow mountain."
In no time, the Snowflake Chicken Porridge was gone, leaving everyone wanting more.
Zhou Momo scraped the plate clean with her spoon. Just as she was about to lick it, Mrs. Zhao stopped her.
"No licking the plate, or people will make fun of you," Mrs. Zhao said with a laugh, confiscating the dish.
"Oh," Zhou Momo replied, then proceeded to lick her spoon completely clean. She looked at Zhou Yan with eyes full of anticipation. "Brother, are all those uncles here to cook for us? What are we having for lunch?"
"Yep, we’re having a great lunch today," Zhou Yan replied. "We have Braised Chicken with Taro, plus Stir-fried Chicken Blood and Stir-fried Chicken Giblets."
"Braised Chicken with Taro! That sounds amazing!" Mrs. Zhao’s eyes lit up. "Which master chef is making it? You should go learn how. Your father and I had it once in a restaurant in Jiazhou when we were younger, and it’s absolutely the best thing to eat in winter! We can never get the flavor right ourselves. If you learn, we can make a big pot for the New Year and invite your grandma and everyone over."
"Alright, I’ll go learn," Zhou Yan agreed with a smile. He turned and went into the kitchen, walking over to Zheng Qiang, who was peeling taros. With a grin, he said, "Master Zheng, my mom sent me to learn how to make Braised Chicken with Taro from you. Is that alright?"
"Of course it’s alright!" Zheng Qiang smiled and nodded. "Master Zhou, just name anything you want to learn. I’d even teach you my own master’s secret techniques. Here, Zhou, you can start by peeling this basket of taros."
"Alright." Zhou Yan pulled over a small stool, sat down, and began peeling the taros.
Braised Chicken with Taro is a classic of Sichuan Cuisine. With taro that has soaked up all the savory broth, what person from Sichuan and Chongqing could possibly resist?
Today, Master Zheng was in charge of the Braised Chicken with Taro. Since Zhou Yan wanted to learn, he naturally had to humble himself, acting as an assistant and helping with the prep work.
The two chickens, which had already had their breasts removed, were chopped into pieces and set aside.
After being cut, the taros were first deep-fried until their surfaces turned a light golden brown, then they were removed and set aside.
"Frying the taro first keeps the broth from getting cloudy during braising, and it helps the taro cook until it’s perfectly soft," Zheng Qiang explained to Zhou Yan as he scooped the taro out of the oil. "For a good Braised Chicken with Taro, the chicken must be fragrant, tender, and flavorful, and the taro must hold its shape without making the broth murky. That’s the bare minimum for a passing grade."
"You’re right, Master Zheng." Zhou Yan nodded repeatedly, furiously jotting down the key points in a small notebook.
𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Next came stir-frying the chicken, braising, seasoning, adding the taro, reducing the sauce, and finally, plating the dish!
And with that, a glistening, reddish-brown plate of Braised Chicken with Taro was complete!
The shop didn’t have a serving bowl large enough, so they served it directly in an enamel basin.
An entire heaping basin!
A truly substantial portion.
The enticing aroma drifted out, drawing everyone to the kitchen doorway.
Zhou Yan’s eyes lit up as well. ’This Braised Chicken with Taro looks absolutely delicious.’
[A Pretty Decent Braised Chicken with Taro]