Chapter 341: Chapter 205: The Secret to Making Fish Head! Lamb is so cute, it must be well-marinated before roasting! [Seeking Monthly Ticket]
Lin Xu emerged carrying the prepared large fish head, and its spicy aroma instantly captivated all the relatives.
"How does this smell so incredibly good?"
"I remember the fish head we had in the city last time didn’t taste anything like this."
"The fragrance goes straight to your sinuses!"
"Our Little Xu’s cooking skills are truly exceptional!"
A huge round dining table had already been set up in the courtyard.
Lin Xu placed the fish head in the center, then arranged the previously prepared Fried Fish Fillets, Boiled Assorted Fish Parts, Boiled Fish Slices, Sweet and Sour Fish Slices, and Crispy Fried Fish Slices around it.
Later, the fish soup with tofu would also be served.
Every part of the large bighead carp his Second Uncle had caught was now accounted for in the planned dishes.
At this moment, his Second Aunt’s husband, Shi Wenming, also started stewing the geese.
Both geese were quite plump. Knowing they couldn’t possibly finish two, he had set one aside.
For a village feast chef like him, making famous or intricate dishes might be beyond his skill, but he was a natural at pot-stewed dishes like these. Especially since he was using the large cauldron in the courtyard’s wood-fired stove, the aroma began to waft out not long after he started stewing.
"Xu, this fish head is beautifully made! You have to teach me later. Once I’ve learned it, our restaurant can add this Wild Chopped Pepper Fish Head to the menu!"
Ever since contracting to manage this scenic area, Shi Wenming hadn’t actively managed the fish in the reservoir. He had neither scattered feed nor stocked fish fry, so calling them wild was accurate. It would be a shame for such good fish to simply grow in the reservoir. Besides, if there were too many, it could affect the water quality. Therefore, it was essential to seize any opportunity to generate profit.
Lin Xu said, "No problem, Uncle-in-law. I guarantee I’ll teach you before I leave!"
As they were speaking, Lin Hongqi returned with Liu Zhengyu, having shown him around the scenic area.
"Everything’s ready, right? Then let’s eat! President Liu, I apologize for the humble meal. When Xu goes back to Beijing, we’ll treat you to something better."
Yes, learning that Liu Zhengyu had made this special trip for the scenic area, Lin Xu decided on the spot that once he returned to Beijing, he absolutely had to treat Liu Zhengyu to a meal at Fishing Platform.
Liu Zhengyu said with a laugh, "Please, don’t stand on ceremony. It was only today that I realized the immense potential of Longqi Mountain Scenic Area. If development continues, it won’t just be a 4A-rated site; achieving 5A wouldn’t be a problem at all!"
Currently, the scenic area was developed around the outermost Dragon Head Peak.
But in reality, the area further in was vast. Not only was there a huge gentle slope with waist-high green grass stretching for ten to twenty kilometers, but there was also a valley extending for dozens of kilometers behind the mountain. The water in the reservoir flowed to the outside world through the river channel in this valley.
In the future, whether the gentle slope on the other side of the reservoir was developed into a ranch, or the valley was transformed into an Adventure Valley or a scenic promenade like Yuntai Mountain, either would qualitatively elevate the scenic area.
Furthermore, development could continue deeper into the mountains. Connecting several nearby peaks with plank walkways and adding attractions like aerial cable cars would further enhance its ability to attract tourists.
In short, this scenic area was a treasure trove.
Once developed, it could definitely become a major scenic area in Northern Zhongyuan, integrating dining, entertainment, leisure, wellness retreats, and opportunities to connect with nature.
"Then we’ll take President Liu’s auspicious words to heart!"
Lin Hongqi and Liu Zhengyu washed their hands and then joined the relatives at the large round table to begin the meal.
There were too many people today to fit at one table. So, they split the fish head in half and portioned out the other dishes as well. They also set up another table next to the large one for Lin Xu’s younger cousins.
Chen Yuanyuan took one look and exclaimed, "Ha! I’ll sit at the kids’ table!"
Shen Baobao wanted to join her, but Chen Meijuan held her back. "The kids eat a lot; you might not be able to compete with them."
Indeed, before long, Chen Yuanyuan returned with her stool, looking dejected. Compared to her growing younger cousins, her ability to compete for food was truly negligible.
Just then, Lin Xu, having put the crayfish on to stew, came out of the kitchen. He sat down next to Shen Baobao and started eating with everyone.
"Xu, how did you make this Chopped Pepper Fish Head? It’s so much tastier than the usual ones," Second Aunt Lin Hongxia remarked, finding the fish head more delicious with every bite.
When Chen Meiliang had first brought the fish over, she had worried they wouldn’t be able to finish it all. But now, she found herself wishing there was another one.
Lin Xu tasted a piece. After being thoroughly marinated, the savory flavor of the fish had been fully brought out. Plus, the aromatics had been stir-fried, which cooked off the harshness of the chilies, leaving only a gentle, spicy aroma. This made it even more delicious.
He explained with a smile, "Before steaming, stir-fry the aromatics with hot oil and dried fermented black beans. Once they’re fragrant, add them to the fish for steaming; that’s what brings out the flavor."
"Do you need to stir-fry the chopped peppers as well if you use them?"
"Yes, they also need to be stir-fried. And before stir-frying, you should rinse the chopped peppers to wash away excess salt. After pickling, the spiciness of the chopped peppers becomes milder. If you feel it’s not spicy enough, you can add some fresh bird’s eye chilies when stir-frying the aromatics."
As Lin Xu spoke, he shared the key points of this dish with his relatives.
"First, the fish must be thoroughly cleaned. Split it from the top of the head, which helps it steam through more easily.
Second, the fish must be marinated thoroughly. This allows its savory flavor to be fully released during steaming.
Third, stir-fry the aromatics. Strictly speaking, to achieve the most authentic flavor for Chopped Pepper Fish Head, one should use Tea Oil from the Xiangtan Region for stir-frying.
Fourth, after the fish is steamed and the heat is turned off, don’t rush to take it out of the steamer. Let it rest and continue to steam with the residual heat for another two to three minutes. This allows the aromas to fully penetrate the fish.
Fifth, when preparing the hot oil to pour over the fish at the end, try adding some lard. This makes the fish more fragrant and moist."