PNB Chapter 423 It needs a name.
Chapter 423 It needs a name.
"The food is all ready, everyone, let's eat!"
Zhao Chen took out a gong and struck it twice, instantly igniting a lively atmosphere along the entire village road.
The long table under the straw curtain was already full of people, and cheers from adults and children filled the air.
All the Lotus Sect members in the village, along with the remaining outlaws, gradually sat around the table.
Shouts, drinking games, playful banter, and the sounds of village aunties holding small steamed buns and unexpectedly "adding rice" to villagers' empty bowls filled the air.
Zhou Miao was visiting the village for the first time, and he was the focus of everyone's attention!
Just as he finished eating the overflowing rice in his bowl, the aunt who was supposed to "add rice" quickly scooped up another spoonful for him!
He quickly held the bowl further away, repeatedly refusing, "Thank you, Auntie, no need for more rice, I'm full!"
He had barely finished speaking when he picked up his bowl and looked at it. To his surprise, someone had dumped a bowl of preserved vegetable and pork into it!
The dark brown preserved mustard greens were soaked with meat juices, and the glistening pork belly was marbled with fat and lean meat, its aroma filling the nostrils.
Zhou Miao held up the bowl, feeling both amused and exasperated. Unable to refuse such hospitality, she could only bury her head in her rice.
Before he could finish speaking, another woman squeezed through the crowd, placed two glistening pieces of blood sausage in his bowl, and said with a smile, "Don't be shy, kid! This is a local specialty from the village's cured meat shop. It's really delicious, have a taste!"
Zhou Miao nodded repeatedly and quickly reached out to take the bowl.
Looking at the mountain of food piled up in the bowl, and then at the genuinely smiling faces, he nodded happily again and again!
The village was bustling with activity.
But the village dungeon seemed deserted in comparison.
Yin Bi clung to the cell door, sniffing intently at the fragrance wafting in the air.
The aroma, a blend of meat, vegetables, and smoky flavors, seeped through the cracks in the prison door, making his stomach rumble.
Yin Bi swallowed hard and kicked the cell door hard.
The dull thud echoed in the empty dungeon, but it didn't even cause a ripple to disturb the commotion outside.
I'm so angry, I'm absolutely furious!
after dinner.
Apart from the villagers who had no choice but to smoke cured meat and boil oil, the rest of them, after cleaning up their dishes, all gathered at the entrance of Gao Mengli's courtyard house.
Because they were making pickles, they didn't let Lin Xi touch a single drop of alcohol!
Poor Zhou Miao! After the meal, he was the one being toasted by the villagers!
After Lin Xi and Da Niu helped Zhou Miao, who was fast asleep from drunkenness, to her home and settled her in, they followed Gao Mengli out the door.
When the two came out, the villagers had already prepared several baskets of chayote at the door, and there was also a table next to it, with a cutting board and a kitchen knife ready!
Lin Xi was both amused and exasperated upon seeing this.
I knew the villagers were anxious, but I didn't expect it to be this urgent!
He coughed twice: "Aunties, making pickled cucumbers is actually very simple, but it takes several days. We can't finish all the steps today!"
As he spoke, he quickly picked up a knife, peeled the chayote, washed it, removed the seeds and pulp, and cut it in half.
Gao Mengli stood to the side, sprinkling salt on the prepared chayote. "This chayote needs to be salted to draw out the moisture. It needs to be thoroughly salted to absorb the flavor. It won't spoil even after a year or two!"
The aunties gathered around listened intently and watched even more intently, their eyes glued to the screen, afraid of missing a single detail.
Lin Xi worked quickly and efficiently, and in no time she had cut all the large baskets of chayote into pieces. Gao Mengli then rubbed salt all over them and stirred them!
Salt may be scarce in other places, and they may not be able to produce salt, but Wangyue Village has no shortage of salt!
After wiping it clean, Gao Mengli quickly asked her aunts for help to move the processed melon to the kitchen, place it on a straw mat, and spread it out evenly: "It's cold in the weather, but the kitchen is warm. Let it air dry overnight to drain the water that has been squeezed out."
You can make this after harvesting the chayote in summer and autumn, which makes it easier to drain.
"All right!"
The aunties responded in unison.
They deftly moved the chayote pieces onto the straw mat in the kitchen and arranged them neatly.
The residual heat in the kitchen hadn't completely dissipated, making everyone feel warm and cozy.
Lin Xi checked it over and, finding no problems, said, "That's fine, ladies. Tomorrow night I'll teach you how to make five-spice seasoning, or if you have any other flavors you like, you can make them!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the kitchen became lively.
Yang Qing's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together as he asked, "Big brother, can you make the sweet and sour kind? My three kids, Fu, Lu, and Lin, love to eat sweet and sour pickles!"
Zhu Mei chimed in, "I'd like a spicy one; it would be delicious with porridge in the morning!"
Several aunties nearby were chattering away, some saying they wanted to make it savory, others thinking about adding some rock sugar to enhance the flavor. They were making quite a lively scene.
Lin Xi smiled and agreed, "We can make them all! Tomorrow we'll explain the sauce recipe clearly, and you can adjust it to your own taste. I guarantee you'll all be happy with it!"
Gao Mengli added, "The sauce must be cooled down before use, and the pickling jar must be wiped dry so that there is not a drop of oil on it."
"Okay! We've got it. We'll cool a batch of them down when we get back tonight!"
The aunties were all eager to help and quickly agreed.
After giving the two a heads-up, the group hurriedly made their way home.
night.
The village's brick kiln has a job!
If we're talking about something joyful, then we should mention the Lotus Sect!
They are paid by piecework!
Originally, with the Lunar New Year approaching, the village's brick kiln factory shut down and closed, so they had no income.
All the money he had earned before was sent home through the Chang'an Escort Agency so that his family could also have a prosperous New Year.
When the news spread that the brick kiln had resumed production of earthen jars, the disciples of the Lotus Sect were overjoyed!
Several young disciples immediately patted their chests excitedly: "Making earthen jars is less strenuous than firing bricks, and we can earn more money!"
The elderly leader of the Lotus Sect smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhao Chen, who had brought the job: "Don't worry, village chief, our pottery-making skills are no worse than our brick-making skills. We will definitely be able to make good jars with uniform wall thickness that are leak-proof!"
I heard that this earthen jar was prepared by the village for pickling chayote.
After that, their sales channels opened up, and from then on, in addition to receiving brick-making jobs, they could also get jobs making pottery!
Zhao Chen smiled and nodded, "Just do your job well. You'll be paid two coins for each pottery piece you make. Make sure you fire them quickly and well, the village needs them!"
Upon hearing this, the disciples of the Lotus Sect were overjoyed.
This is much more profitable than making bricks!
Immediately, everyone lit torches and began working enthusiastically.
The disciples had clear divisions of labor: some mixed the clay, some shaped the clay, and some carried firewood. Everyone was quick and efficient, and their faces were full of enthusiasm.
Not surprisingly.
The next day, another round of pig-slaughtering feasts began. After all, there were ten families a day, and this round would not end until the 28th of the lunar year!
At night, Lin Xi began teaching everyone how to make the five-spice sauce for the fermented bean curd.
Spices are a bit expensive, but they are still within the acceptable range for the villagers of Wangyue Village.
Based on a weight of 500 grams, you will need 1 pound of water, 2 ounces of light soy sauce, 1 ounce of sugar, 2 star anise, a small piece of cinnamon, 2 bay leaves, and a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns.
Pour into a pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Then, after rinsing the chayote tubers, put them into an oil-free and water-free airtight jar, pour in the cooled marinade to cover the tubers, seal it, and place it in a cool, ventilated place to marinate for one month before eating.
In winter, it would probably take two months to store.
"If you prefer other flavors, you can replace the spices with chili peppers or aged vinegar, and the flavor of the sauce will be different!"
Lin Xi gave instructions as she filled the cans.
The cost of this thing is a bit high, but there's still a 30% profit margin. However, with so many people buying it, the profit is still considerable!
This job is suitable for villagers to do as a side business.
Yang Qing leaned closer, touching the seal on the jar where Gao Mengli had written the date, and asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, if we're going to sell these pickled cucumbers outside, should we give them a name? That way, people will remember the products from Wangyue Village!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone echoed them and began to discuss them animatedly.
Some suggested calling it "Moon-Gazing Pickles," while others proposed "Buddha's Hand Incense Altar," creating quite a stir.
Gao Mengli smiled and agreed: "The name issue is easy to handle. We'll discuss it again once sales pick up in the spring!"
"For now, let's seal these jars and store them in a cool, dark place to let them absorb the flavor. There's still plenty of time; we'll discuss it again after the pickled cucumbers are ready!"
In this freezing cold, making money is definitely more heartwarming!