Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle
Chapter 343 - 207: A Familiar Recipe

Chapter 343: Chapter 207: A Familiar Recipe

Qin Huai and Zheng Siyuan planned very well.

After the planning ended, Qin Huai began to make Longevity Noodles.

Having spent so much time at Huang Ji, making Longevity Noodles each morning nearly became a habit for Qin Huai. Even on the busiest days practicing Crab Dumplings, breakfast was always Longevity Noodles.

Imagine that, on an unremarkable morning, you arrive at the office and can enjoy a freshly cooked bowl of hot, hand-rolled elastic Longevity Noodles. The side dishes are simple, light vegetables, but the broth is rich and the chicken soup aromatic.

Slurp down a bowl of noodles, gulp down the remaining chicken broth, and then smack your lips in satisfaction. Depending on your appetite, choose whether or not to cook some wontons, add seaweed, or sprinkle with scallions.

This whole process makes an otherwise dreary morning turn delightful.

"Burp." Dong Shi finished the last sip of noodle soup, licked his lips, and murmured, "It’d be great if Qin Huai could make Longevity Noodles for lunch too, I’d definitely have two big bowls!"

Everyone at Zhiwei Restaurant kept silent, but mentally echoed Dong Shi’s sentiments.

Exactly, that’s right, they could have two bowls too!

They could eat right now!

Of course, having two bowls was impossible, as Qin Huai always made Longevity Noodles according to the headcount. If Guo Mingzhu wanted some, Gong Liang had to tell Qin Huai the day before so he could make an extra bowl for Gong Liang to pack home.

After breakfast, the people at Huang Ji got busy with work, except Zheng Da.

Zheng Da arrived at ten.

By that time, the queue of customers outside stretched about 100 meters.

Zheng Da casually strolled into the kitchen and seeing Huang Shengli directing everything, cheerfully said, "The line outside seems longer than yesterday. Once ’Taste’ is published in a few days, won’t the queue reach the neighboring blocks?"

Huang Shengli, seeing Zheng Da like this, couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation.

Every time he thought his junior was making progress, finally showing promise to become a master, Zheng Da would remind him: No, he wasn’t, and remained the same unambitious person.

Huang Shengli looked at the people from Zhiwei Restaurant, who were working busily, occasionally showing their finished ingredients to Qin Huai for approval. He felt Zheng Da might not stabilize this time either.

Indeed, there was no harm in comparison.

Such a comparison was too stark.

If one had to nitpick, the only flaw with the staff at Zhiwei Restaurant might be that they refilled tea too frequently, causing Qin Huai to visit the restroom twice this morning.

"Master Zheng." Seeing Zheng Da arrive, Qin Huai put down his work and walked towards him, "I have something I’d like to consult you about."

Zheng Da’s eyes lit up, "What a consultation! Ask away, any questions!"

"Do you know how to make Mixed Fruit Filling? The one for Four Happiness Dumplings."

Zheng Da was stunned.

Silence fell, so awkward it was palpable.

Zheng Da wanted to confidently shout: Of course! Such a simple Mixed Fruit Filling is no problem.

But he indeed did not know how.

This area fell into his knowledge blind spot.

Zheng Da awkwardly chuckled twice, "I’m not very good at making Four Happiness Dumplings."

"Back then, the State-owned Restaurant didn’t sell them."

Qin Huai wasn’t too disappointed, he had guessed it. Just as he was about to say a few words and leave, Huang Shengli spoke up.

"Is it for Gong Liang?"

"Yes." Qin Huai nodded. "Yesterday, I asked Mr. Gong if there was any snack he wanted. He said he had eaten the Four Happiness Dumplings made by Master Jing during his birthday. It was unforgettable, and he wished to eat Mixed Fruit Filling Four Happiness Dumplings again."

"But after inquiring yesterday, it seems there are very few shops making Mixed Fruit Filling Four Happiness Dumplings now, so I wanted to ask Master Zheng today."

Huang Shengli chuckled, "I knew it was him. All you have to do is listen to Gong Liang’s nonsense. He lived next door to our master back then, ate plenty of good stuff growing up. During times of scarcity, many snacks and dishes were only made by our master during holidays. Even if he had eaten something once or twice, he’d claim it was many years ago, unforgettable, and he wishes to have it again."

Qin Huai:...

Gong Liang, classic you.

Reminded by Huang Shengli, Zheng Da remembered, "Was it the birthday when he got engaged? Master cooked a big pot of Four Happiness Dumplings. I wanted meat fillings while you and Gong Liang fancied Mixed Fruit Filling. But those dumplings looked alike, and I only managed to eat three meat ones despite nearly bursting my stomach."

"Before making the dumplings, there wasn’t enough winter melon candy. I even went home to ’borrow’ 5 pounds that time."

Huang Shengli nodded.

Zheng Da sighed, "If it was that time, I do remember the Mixed Fruit Filling. Master took out all his treasured ingredients. Those premium dried fruits cost a fortune, all stuffed into the dumplings, my heart ached back then. At least divide them with the mooncakes, I love Mixed Fruit Filling mooncakes."

Qin Huai didn’t expect that Zheng Da and Huang Shengli still remembered that occasion with the Four Happiness Dumplings. He quickly followed up, "Master Zheng, do you remember the ingredients for the Mixed Fruit Filling back then?"

Knowing the specific ingredients would make things easier. Qin Huai believed the method for Mixed Fruit Filling surely had variations, but overall, the differences weren’t significant. If he knew the ingredients, he wouldn’t need to seek advice all the way to Zhiwei Restaurant. He could grab Zheng Siyuan to research it together, potentially figuring it out. If not, there’s always Zheng Da.

Even though Zheng Da couldn’t do it, he could research it.

"I don’t know." Zheng Da honestly shook his head, "That was many years ago, I was still making buns at the State-owned Restaurant, and such precious filling ingredients weren’t for me to handle."

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