Chapter 262: Chapter 178: An Extremely Labor-Intensive Dish to Impress - Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle! [Seeking Monthly Ticket]_4
While busy, Xie Baomin called out to Song Dahai, "This isn’t a soccer match, Old Song. Stop commentating and help me blanch some baby bok choy for the plating, with the roots facing out."
Song Dahai muttered, "Damn it, after sharing a couple of cups of tea, you start bossing me around..."
The baby bok choy was already washed and ready. Song Dahai boiled a pot of water, added some peanut oil, and a pinch of salt. Once the water boiled, he poured the baby bok choy inside and blanched it until it turned bright green before taking it out. He then rinsed it with cold water, drained it, and laid it on the plate with the roots facing out.
After preparing four plates of baby bok choy, Xie Baomin was also reaching the final stages of reducing his sauce. The pot’s lustrous braising liquid was now so thick it was almost paste-like. Even stirring it was somewhat difficult. Meanwhile, the pork knuckle had been washed three times, its skin becoming ever more glossy and reddish. Song Dahai carefully placed the pork knuckle from the strainer onto the plate, making sure to expose a segment of the leg bone to enhance its appearance.
Just as he finished plating, the braising liquid in the pot started bubbling. Xie Baomin picked up the pot without delay and ladled the thick braising liquid evenly over the pork knuckle.
"Wow, this really is beautiful!" Bai Pengbo exclaimed, starting to film with his cellphone.
Meanwhile, Lin Xu silently conjured in his mind, Use the Cooking Learning Card!
Soon, the system’s prompt echoed in his mind: "Learning target: Xie Baomin. Current Skill: Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle. Would you like to learn?"
"Learn!" Lin Xu commanded.
Fortunately, the system didn’t glitch this time.
Shortly after, the system’s prompt rang again in his mind: "One Perfect Level Cooking Learning Card consumed. You have acquired the Perfect Level Technique for making Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle. Congratulations to the host."
He finally acquired it. A wave of relief washed over Lin Xu.
By this time, Xie Baomin had also ladled the sauce over all four pork knuckles. Their gleaming reddish skin was coated in a thick layer of red braising sauce and even twinkled under the light; their appearance was utterly gorgeous. The rich, aromatic scent, along with a subtle sweetness, continually tempted everyone’s appetite.
"No wonder it’s the showstopper dish at banquets; this pork knuckle is just beautiful," Song Dahai exclaimed in admiration. He was quite intrigued by Xie Baomin’s use of sugar cane.
That damn genius, actually thinking of using green sugar cane to enhance the pork knuckle’s fresh flavor! he thought. The flavor made the otherwise greasy pork knuckle instantly less oily, inevitably making one eager to try a few bites. A truly nice improvement.
He decided to give it a try when he got back. Song Dahai was well aware that even if he didn’t make it, other head chefs would try after hearing about it. The result of everyone’s attempts would be a collective venture to Building 15 to steal sugar cane.
Better to use it myself before other head chefs can steal it away, he mused.
"Can we eat now?" Lin Xu asked, coming over with chopsticks and handing them out to everyone.
After being tantalized for so long, they finally had the chance to taste the dish. However, just as he was about to try it, his father-in-law, Shen Guofu, suddenly called.
"Xiaoxu," Shen Guofu said, "Uncle Tan and I, along with a few friends, are at Building Two to have a meal. The front desk manager said you’re in the kitchen cooking. What are you making? Can we try some?"
What a coincidence, Lin Xu thought. He picked up a plate of pork knuckle and said to Xie Baomin, "My father-in-law is here. I’ll bring him a portion of the pork knuckle, Senior Brother."
"Go ahead, go ahead, we made extra," Xie Baomin waved him off. He then picked up a piece of pork knuckle skin with his chopsticks and placed it in his mouth. The sweet flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture of the skin were truly good.
After tasting it, he called out to Lin Xu, "Hurry back, Junior Brother! I’m preparing to make some Cantonese dessert soup with the leftover sugar cane. You should learn this too. Three of this time’s judges are from Lingnan; making Cantonese dishes and Cantonese Snacks will earn extra points."
Lin Xu agreed and quickly headed toward the dining area with the pork knuckle.
He mumbled to himself as he walked. If the sugar cane dessert soup is delicious, then after finishing work today, I’ll definitely have to swing by Building 15 to snag a couple of green sugar cane stalks to bring home and make some dessert soup for Shen Baobao...