Chapter 93: Art Remains the Right Path
The first record of the world written by Fang Mengjing for the first time discussed the romantic characters of miscellaneous families and arts all over the world. And Peng's cooking skills are also on the list. Liu Dajiang, the younger brother of his mentor Liu Dahai, was very jealous of him and very unconvinced. Because of his seniority, he is Peng Wuhope's uncle, and he is also one of the world's famous chefs, but he can't compare to a junior who is only in his early twenties, which makes him almost angry. Under his resentment, he led his four strong apprentices to carry the best Liuzhou coffin and came to Pengmen, wanting to be on a par with Peng Wuwang. In order to become famous, he also specially invited two famous food experts at that time, one was called Tongue Distinguishing Baiwei Hu Out, and the other was called Sniffing the World Lu Changfeng. When this team of people came to Pengmen, they happened to run into Luo Yixiao and Lei Yechang blocking the gate of Pengmen, so that it caused a series of misunderstandings.
Pengmen Dart Bureau is a large-scale dart game, in its heyday there were 34 dart masters and 393 executioners, and the momentum was huge. In the Qingzhou Bureau of the main dart bureau, in addition to the house for the dart masters to live, there are 12 VIP rooms, which are used to entertain customers who come from the south to the north to take care of the patrons. Therefore, there are three large, two small and three kitchens in the dart board to provide the food needs of these hundreds of people. For the sake of the competition, the kitchens were vacated, and more than a dozen runners worked together to clean them and make them spotless.
Peng Wuwang and Liu Dajiang each have a small kitchen, and the large kitchen has a round table and two chairs for the two judges Hu Bufu and Lu Changfeng to taste the dishes.
As soon as Liu Dajiang entered the kitchen, he immediately sent his cronies and disciples to various Qingzhou towns and villages to purchase raw materials.
And Peng Wuwang carefully selected the melons, fruits, vegetables and various raw materials stored by Peng Men to prepare for the war, which was much more careless than Liu Dajiang.
When the two of them came to the big kitchen, Hu Bufu and Lu Changfeng had already discussed the details of the competition, and sat down in the hall with confidence.
"Alright, this cooking showdown is one of the greatest events in the world. Since the wisdom fairy discussed the miscellaneous arts with the world's first record, the cooking skills have been passed down to future generations on the temple. So this duel is the first recorded event in the kitchen. I hope that the two of you will be humble and peaceful during the competition." Hu Bu said loudly.
This unique competition attracted people from all walks of life in the Pengmen Dart Bureau. Fang Mengjing was particularly interested, and sat in the corner of the big kitchen with a pen and paper and watched every movement of these people intently, it seems that the martial arts anecdote and the world's first record will have a few more strokes. Red Sky Man quietly leaned in front of the window, staring at Peng Wuhope, and secretly thought: My junior brother doesn't know what trick to do this time? This time, I have to learn no matter what, and it should be Ming'er to meet the master's ....... Thinking of this, his heart warmed. Zuo Lianshan, Li Xiaotian and Lu Buyou looked at the big kitchen from a distance, talking in a low voice, thinking that Zuo Lianshang bragged to the two sworn brothers about how sweet and delicious the claypot beef head Peng Wuwang made for him at the beginning. Although Situ Wan'er and Jia Bian Que were a little frightened in the past few days in Pengmen, they were still very happy to finally see Peng Wuwang come back safely. Situ Wan'er watched Peng Wuwang stand side by side with Liu Dajiang in a matter-of-fact manner, and was curious in her heart: I didn't expect this Qingzhou drummer to have such a skill. But Jia Bian Que was secretly amused in his heart: this stupid tough guy with a straight stomach would still work so delicately and meticulously. Hong Sixue was secretly worried about Peng Wuwang, she understood that Peng Wuwang was very conceited about his cooking skills, and if he failed this time, it would be a big blow to him. Zheng Juechen squinted at Peng Wuhope, and secretly cursed him in his heart, wishing that he would admit defeat and admit defeat, so as not to show him off in front of Hong Sixue.
And Peng Wuhope's two registered apprentices, Brother Zhao and Luo Mingxian, were already familiar with it in a few words, and the two of them clenched their fists and lay on the window of the big kitchen, excitedly looking forward to the master's performance. In their minds, Peng Wuwang, who knows martial arts and cooking, has become a fairy-like figure, and it has also become the goal of their struggle in this life.
"The competition is divided into two rounds, with a total of three dishes, to determine the winner. The first game is a competition of designated dishes. Both of them are famous chefs in Qingzhou, Qingzhou cuisine pays attention to exploding, roasting, stir-frying, and frying, and the dishes are known for being clear, fresh, crispy, and tender. Although the ingredients of Qingzhou's famous dish fried tofu brain are simple, the chef's heat is the most exquisite, and this dish is used as a basis to test the real kung fu of the two." Lu Changfeng Road.
Liu Dajiang said: "Sure enough, it is worthy of being heard all over the world, although the ingredients of this fried tofu brain are easy, the selection of ingredients is extremely difficult, and it is indeed wonderful to compare the chef's methods on the wok."
Peng Wuwang looked at him, snorted and didn't speak.
Lu Changfeng coughed, his face slightly pale, and then said, "The second game is to let the two of you play freely, limited to two dishes."
"That's fine." Peng Wuwang nodded.
Liu Dajiang's face was happy, he glanced at him, and sneered slightly.
"If there is no objection, then we will limit it to two hours, please do it quickly." One sentence exposed Hu Bubu's eagerness to taste the world's deliciousness. And Lu Changfeng's eyes also showed an eager gaze.
Liu Dajiang immediately rushed to the kitchen that belonged to him, and in a moment, the sound of Ding Ding Dongdong in pots and pans was endless, as well as the roar of his dissatisfaction with his apprentice. But Peng Wuwang came to the door of the big kitchen and met with the people gathered there one by one.
"Senior brother, you are here, and you will live here in the future." Peng Wuwang happily shook Red Sky's hand. Red Sky Man laughed out loud and said, "Senior brother, this time I have decided to stay with you, in addition to healing, I will also steal your cooking skills. Haha."
Peng Wuwang said excitedly, "Great." He took three steps and two steps to Jia Bian Que and said, "Miss Jia, it's great that you're here too." Jia Bianque smiled and said, "You have become my poison...... I mean, you've become my primary patient, and I can't leave." She was about to say the word poison ding, but remembering Peng Wuwang's advice, she immediately changed her words.
Peng Wuwang said eagerly, "Miss Jia, I have always wanted to ask you for this, but everything is cumbersome, and I haven't stolen it. Senior brother was once picked to break the tendons and tendons of the feet, and even pierced the pipa bone, and now although the meridians have been connected, the true qi cannot pass through the limbs, I don't know if there is a doctor?"
Jia Bian Que smiled slightly: "There are no incurable diseases in this world, but there are some diseases that do not have specific treatments. I have paid attention to Senior Hong's injury when I was in Jiangdu, although it is strange, but it is not difficult for me, I will treat him."
Peng Wuwang hurriedly thanked him, and Red Tianxia was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth, and said, "Senior brother, I didn't expect you to be so familiar with this powerful little girl, it's really wonderful." Jia Bianque's face turned red, and he couldn't speak.
At this time, Zuo Lianshan, Li Xiaotian and Lu Buyou walked over together.
"Brother Peng, all three of us brothers have come to join you." Li Xiaotian's face was lonely. Lu Buyou's face also darkened slightly. Zuo Lianshan scratched his head and did not speak.
"Brother Li, although your cottage is scattered, it is the so-called wealth that goes to people's happiness. If it is peaceful today, what else to do in the green forest, now our Pengmen Dart Bureau is being rebuilt, one day straight out of the Western Regions, the dart flag to the end of the Western Heavens, what a great cause. I hope the three of you can help me." Peng Wuwang said loudly.
Li Xiaotian and the three of them had been depressed because of the sweep of the Eighteen Villages, but now when they heard these words, all the pride and ambition that had been silent came up, and Lu Buyou said, "Brother Peng, we are determined to follow you. Wherever the Pengmen Dart Banner goes, there must be my share." The other two saw that the second brother, who had always been the deepest, had already expressed his attitude, and they were sure in their hearts, and they had the heart to settle down in Qingzhou.
When Boss Luo led the elder brother of the Zhao family to Peng Wuwang, Peng Wuwang said happily: "Boss Luo, your nephew should stay here, as long as he is not afraid of hard work, I will definitely let him get ahead in the future."
Seeing that Peng Wuwang hadn't forgotten a little person like himself, Boss Luo was secretly happy in his heart, and said, "Peng Engong, it's hard work." The elder brother of the Zhao family looked at Peng Wuwang with admiration, and was so excited that he was speechless for a while.
At this time, Peng Wuwang saw Situ Wan'er, who had been silently watching him, dressed in white and linen. He took a few steps, came up to her, and said, "Miss Situ, you have finally decided to come back." Situ Wan'er nodded slightly, and said softly, "I live in my father's former room, and my father's ashes are buried in the back mountain, and I go to worship every day." Peng Wuhope's face was moved, and he said, "Uncle Situ will definitely feel extremely relieved in the Heavenly Spirit. The girl doesn't miss the old evils, and Peng is very grateful." Situ Wan'er shook her head and said, "Daddy's mistake back then has been compensated with his life, and if I blame him as a daughter, it will be unfilial. Since my father ordered me to get out of the Qinglou, and you ...... Persuade me. I'll stay here." After speaking, her eyes burned and stared at Peng Wuwang's face. Jia Bianque and Hong Sixue were both slightly stunned.
Peng Wuwang was happy from the bottom of his heart, and said, "It's the best."
"Also," Situ Wan'er said suddenly, "Your war drums are far-reaching, and I am inspired, I wonder if you can find another time to teach."
Peng Wuhope's face turned red and said, "This war drum is my eldest brother Peng Wuji's personal transmission, and I only have this song. If the girl doesn't dislike it, I'm willing to play it for you repeatedly. I didn't expect the girl to be so uplifted by the drumming of these rough men."
Situ Wan'er lowered her head slightly, and said, "In the past, I only focused on entertaining high-ranking officials and dignitaries, and looked down on the market. And Childe's drum made me suddenly realize my narrow-mindedness. Every time Haojie slaughters more dogs, Wan'er is taught."
Peng Wuwang hurriedly arched his hand and humbled himself.
At this time, Luo Mingxian quietly came to Peng Wuwang's side and whispered, "Master, hurry up and cook, it's almost half the two hours." Peng Wuwang smiled slightly, looked at Liu Dajiang's kitchen with smoke, snorted, and said, "Don't worry."
Two hours later, Peng Wuwang and Liu Dajiang placed six kinds of dishes in the shape of plum blossoms on the round table in the large kitchen, and the rich and fragrant aroma almost overwhelmed the onlookers.
The closest to the two judges are two plates of fried tofu brain. This tofu brain is made of specially selected tender tofu stir-fried in a wok with cooked lard, accompanied by refined salt, cooking wine, snow mushrooms, clear soup, stirred into a paste, thickened with potato flour, and drizzled with chicken fat to add flavor.
And the rest of the four-color dishes are truly dazzling.
Chef Liu Dajiang's two dishes are steamed eight-treasure soft-shelled turtle and eight dragons to invite arhats.
Eight treasures soft-shelled turtle to live soft-shelled turtle as the tripod, open its shell, stuffed with sea cucumber, pork, cakes, winter bamboo shoots, mushrooms, scallops, lotus seeds, glutinous rice, called eight treasures, poured into refined salt, rice wine, clear soup, soft-shelled turtle bile. The ginger shreds are divided into the upper middle and lower hems on the eight treasure traps, covered with soft-shelled turtle covers, and then add chicken breast and pork knuckle meat on the cover, and spread ginger slices, Sichuan peppercorns, and green onions. Steam the bowl in the cage for an hour and a half, remove the green onion, ginger, chicken and pork, decant the soft-shelled turtle juice into the pot, boil over a high fire, thicken it with corn flour, and pour it on top of the soft-shelled turtle.
And the Eight Dragons invite Arhats to the sea is even more colorful. In this dish, the chicken breast minced into a puree is inlaid at the bottom of the bowl, and the white fish meat is cut into long strips, and the fish bones are cut in the middle. Live green shrimp are made into shrimp rings, shark fin and leftover chicken puree are made into chrysanthemum shark fin shapes, and sea cucumbers are made into butterfly shapes. Abalone, fish maw slices, asparagus is ready, select eight good sprouts, season these ingredients with rice wine, refined salt, steam them in the basket, put them in a porcelain jar, the dish is divided into eight directions, the middle is embedded with Luohan chicken, sprinkle ham, ginger slices, green vegetables, and drizzle with chicken broth and hot lard to enhance the flavor.
Peng Wuwang's dishes are much bleaker in comparison, just ordinary pot roast duck and assorted ham, although the color is bright and the taste is sweet and rich, but it is far less eye-catching than Liu Dajiang's dishes.
Hu Bufu and Lu Changfeng's eyes brightened, as a famous food expert, at this moment, in the face of rare delicacies in the world, making fair judgments is really the pinnacle moment of their lives. In the eyes of everyone, these two white-bearded and white-haired old men suddenly looked vibrant, and seemed to exude youth again.
They first rinsed their mouths with water, then each held a spoonful of fried tofu brain, and tasted it carefully.
There was silence in the room for a long time, and everyone waited with bated breath for the verdict of the two judges.
After a while, Lu Changfeng said: "The two masters are on par with each other in the wok, the tofu brain is like a cloud, tender and sweet, sweet but not greasy, bright but not millet in color, and it has won the three flavors of Qingzhou cuisine."
Hu Budao: "The selection of ingredients for the two is also first-class, and the tender tofu gets rid of the miscellaneous taste of swill, and the taste is mellow. But as we all know, if you want to get rid of the swill smell, the tofu has to be soaked in boiling water for half a column of incense, but in boiling water, the tofu will become old and lose its umami taste. It's hard to have it both ways. However, Master Peng's tofu brain is extremely tender and there is no miscellaneous flavor in the taste, which is a major breakthrough and it is really shocking. I don't know how Master Pang did it."
When these words came out, Liu Dajiang's face was like ashes, and everyone's faces showed joy for a while. Peng Wuwang smiled slightly, and said, "This recipe is what I got from Master Liu Dajiang's proud disciple when I passed through Meihua Town, and exchanged it for the recipe of tofu brain marinade." Liu Dajiang was shocked and said, "How can I have such a powerful disciple and not know?"
Peng Wuwang said: "Senior uncle, this senior brother has been under your hands for several years without an inch, so he left for another country, and finally got ahead and became the first chef in Meihua Town. That's what he learned there."
Liu Dajiang was gloomy for a while, and sighed, "It turned out to be him, I....... Hey."
Lu Hu and the others nodded and sighed, "I see, there is a deep fortification between famous chefs in cooking, so that countless famous recipes have been annihilated, which is really a pity."
At this time, Lu Changfeng and Hu Buchu had already come to the other four delicacies and tasted them carefully. Seeing their intoxicated appearance, Liu Dajiang immediately regained his confidence and proudly puffed up his chest.
At this time, Lu Changfeng struck and said, "Master Liu's eight-treasure soft-shelled turtle is not only pleasing to the eye, but also has a variety of flavors, the soup is fresh and mellow, and the fragrance is breathtaking."
Hu Bu didn't taste another famous dish, and sighed: "Eight dragons invite arhats to the sea, the raw materials are changeable, and they are deep, fresh, tender, soft and smooth. The soup is rich and fresh, mellow in taste, and has a variety of flavors, which is unforgettable."
Liu Dajiang's face was full of pride, and the loss just now was completely gone.
Then, the two came to Peng Wuhope's pot roast duck and assorted ham, and tasted it with chopsticks. When they put the dish in their mouths, a look of surprise and shock suddenly appeared on their faces. After a long time, the two of them picked up a few more mouthfuls of food and tasted it carefully, and the more they chewed, the more surprised their faces became. Liu Dajiang's face showed a look of confusion, and he asked hesitantly, "You two, I don't know if there is a conclusion?"
Hu Buchu and Lu Changfeng glanced at each other, then looked at Liu Dajiang's look of suffering from gains and losses, and then looked at the Liuzhou coffin lying on the martial arts training ground outside the window, and hesitated for a long time. Hu Bubu sighed, "Chef Peng's pot roast duck and assorted ham are not only bright and pleasing in color, but also have a first-class taste, but because the ingredients are too casual, they are not as carefully selected as Chef Liu, so they are half a chip. This competition should be a draw."
Peng Wuwang and Liu Dajiang were furious at the same time. Peng Wuwang was about to have a seizure, when he suddenly looked at the Liuzhou coffin outside the window, suddenly realized, snorted angrily, and did not speak. Liu Dajiang said angrily: "You two are clearly partial, Peng Hopeless's roast duck ham, not to mention the single ingredients, it is simply colorless, how can it be compared with my eight treasure turtles and eight dragons in the sea."
Hu Bubu smiled slightly, and said, "How about you taste it?" Liu Dajiang rushed forward, grabbed a piece of duck meat and put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully, and said angrily, "Although the taste is excellent, it is just duck meat." Speaking of this, he was suddenly stunned, speechless, and broke out in a cold sweat. He was stunned for a long time, suddenly showed gratitude, bowed to Hu Lu and the others, and then bowed deeply to Peng Wuwang, retreated out of the door, led the disciples under the door, carried the Liuzhou coffin, and flew away.
Peng Wuwang looked at his figure in a hurry away, and said, "It's really cheap for him."
Lu Hu and the others saluted Peng Wuhope, and Lu Changfeng said: "Chef Peng is able to blend gluten and yam to bring out the taste of duck meat and ham, and his cooking skills have reached the point of being superb, and I am deeply admired."
Hu Bubu sighed: "If I taste it right, this vegetarian pot roast duck is made with green onion and pepper sauce, rice wine, sauce, egg white, gluten seasoning, and served with pu cabbage, water chestnut, magnolia, and water mushrooms. As for the details of the production, I can't guess."
Peng Wuwang sighed, "Hu Gong is really smart."
Lu Changfeng said: "This assorted ham is made of yam, egg white, refined salt, sesame oil, rock sugar, mixed with tender sugar. The cooking methods used during this period must have been unheard of. I don't know if Master Peng can tell me."
Peng Wuwang said: "It's very simple, steam the yam, mix it into a puree and mix it with potato flour, add egg white, refined salt, sesame oil, rock sugar, make a yam material, take out a hundred percent to bring out the tender sugar color, spread it flat in an oiled tin box, and steam it into a basket to become ham skin. Put 30% of the yam material on the ham skin and steam it, and then come out of the cage as meat fat. Other yam ingredients are mixed with sand kernel noodles, koji juice, stirred well with sesame oil, spread on the fat, and then steamed in the basket with three sticks of incense, and let it cool and brush in sesame oil."
Lu Changfeng stroked his palms and admired, "No wonder the ham I eat is both fat and thin, so I am almost unsure."
"You two wait a minute." At this time, Luo Mingxian and Zhao Yixiang, the elder brother of the Zhao family, who were listening indignantly, rushed into the house and said loudly, "Listening to what you say, it is clear that my master won, why is it said that it is a tie?"
Hu Lu and the others glanced at each other, laughed at the same time, and Hu did not say: "Forgive me, two little brothers, because Master Liu Dajiang gave everything he had this time, if he loses the battle and loses his reputation, he will inevitably have no business. Although we should judge fairly, human life is at stake, and this time we have to ignore our conscience."
"It's not fair!" Luo Mingxian said loudly, "Liu Dajiang only has one more coffin than my master, is this okay?"
Peng Wuwang patted him on the head and said, "There are no rules, it's really rude to talk to the elders."
He looked at Hu Lu and the others and said, "My uncle's dishes are extremely luxurious, the ingredients are complicated, and the cost is so high that ordinary people can enjoy them. We cooks come from a common family, and if we can't benefit the people from the skills we learn, we will lose our roots. Although my uncle is extremely smart, he never understands this truth, and he created the Eight Treasure Turtle and the Eight Dragons in the Sea, although he enjoyed a temporary glory, but it brought the chef's atmosphere bad. If this wind grows, the consequences will be terrible. My master often had arguments with him about this. Hey, it's a pity that Master is dead, and no one in this world can control him anymore."
Hu Bubu nodded with deep feeling, and said, "No wonder Master Peng's dishes are only seasoned with very ordinary ingredients, just so that ordinary people can enjoy the taste that only high-ranking officials and nobles can afford." He looked at Lu Changfeng, who had a contemplative look on his face, and said, "Did we do something wrong this time?"
Peng Wuwang hurriedly said, "You don't have to blame yourself, my uncle came here carrying the coffin, and his courage is commendable. Hey, can't we watch him die?"
The room was silent, only the brush in Fang Mengjing's hand brushed on the rice paper.