pjbooks Chapter 65 Sichuan Small Potatoes
Chapter 65 Sichuan Small Potatoes
After Master Qian's visit, Xiao Liangzi Restaurant continued its busy yet fulfilling life, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The business at the rice bowl stall is booming, with factory workers, street vendors, and teachers and students from nearby schools becoming regular customers.
A rice bowl for just over ten yuan offers generous portions, authentic flavors, and quick service. You can enjoy a hot and delicious meal in just over ten minutes, making it excellent value for money.
Moreover, the restaurant is always packed with seats during mealtimes, and many people are even willing to stand at the door waiting for a table.
Xu Liang still holds the fort in the kitchen, controlling the flavor of every dish, but now he no longer has to do everything himself.
Sun Zhonglei, having been around him for a long time, watched Xu Liang prepare, stir-fry, and season the dishes every day, and secretly practiced in private as well.
Little did they know that his culinary skills had improved rapidly, and he was already capable of handling things independently, helping to alleviate a lot of the pressure on the kitchen staff.
Sun Zhonglei is a diligent and down-to-earth person. He is observant and never slacks off when doing things.
Every day before dawn, he would follow Xu Liang to the small restaurant, and once there, he would immerse himself in the kitchen, helping to clean ingredients, chop vegetables, and prepare dishes.
While Xu Liang was cooking, he stood by, watching the chef's technique intently, memorizing the control of the heat, the amount of seasoning, and the rhythm of stir-frying.
They wouldn't overlook even the smallest detail.
When he encountered something he didn't understand, he didn't hide it. He would take advantage of the free time after meals to approach Xu Liang and ask for his advice.
Xu Liang was never stingy with his knowledge, patiently explaining the secrets of each dish to him, from the details of ingredient processing to the proportions of seasoning, and then to the soul of Sichuan cuisine.
The balance of spiciness, numbing sensation, and savory aroma is taught in detail.
"Zhong Lei, when it comes to stir-frying Sichuan cuisine, the heat is key. Only by stir-frying over high heat can you lock in the moisture of the ingredients and bring out the wok hei (wok aroma). This is especially important for dishes served over rice, where you need to quickly infuse the flavor with aroma. If the heat is too low, the taste of the dish will be far inferior."
"You have to be steady when adding the seasonings. You have to get the amount of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers just right. Too much will make it too numbing and spicy, and too little will lose the essence of Sichuan flavor. You have to make it a few more times to find the perfect taste."
"There's a specific order to putting ingredients into the pan. Put the ingredients that take longer to cook in first, and the ones that cook faster in last. This way, every bite of the dish will have a uniform texture, without some parts being undercooked and others overcooked."
Sun Zhonglei kept every word of Xu Liang's advice firmly in mind and practiced it repeatedly in private.
From the simplest scrambled eggs with tomatoes and stir-fried vegetables, to slightly more complex dishes like fish-fragrant eggplant and hot and sour shredded potatoes.
He explored and improved the recipes little by little, but at first, the dishes he cooked were inconsistent in taste and not cooked properly.
However, he gradually became more skilled and his dishes became more and more presentable, and their taste became closer and closer to Xu Liang's level.
That noon, the restaurant experienced a surge in customers, and the kitchen staff were extremely busy.
Xu Liang stared at the stove, cooking more than a dozen rice bowls in a row. His forehead was covered in sweat, and his arms were a little sore.
Sun Zhonglei saw this and stepped forward.
"Liangzi, take a break. I'll cook the rest. You keep an eye on things and call me if anything goes wrong."
Xu Liang glanced at him, then at the order in front of him, and nodded.
"Okay, be careful, watch the heat, and don't overdo the seasoning."
Sun Zhonglei responded emphatically, rolled up his sleeves, walked to the stove, took a deep breath, and imitated Xu Liang by starting a fire, heating the pot, and pouring oil. Although his movements were not exactly smooth and flowing, they were steady and orderly.
He skillfully added the ingredients, stir-fried them over high heat, and vigorously tossed the wok with his wrist, adding the seasonings one by one.
He learned the movements quite well after completing the set.
Within minutes, several rice bowl dishes were served one after another.
It has a bright color and a fragrant aroma.
Xu Liang stepped forward, took a bite, and showed a hint of approval in his eyes.
"Great, the taste is authentic, and the cooking time is just right. It's a huge improvement from last time. You'll be able to dominate the rice bowls at this restaurant from now on."
Upon receiving Xu Liang's affirmation, Sun Zhonglei wore a simple, honest smile, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.
The diners who tasted Sun Zhonglei's dishes all gave him a thumbs up, praising the delicious taste.
A regular customer smiled and asked, "Xiao Liang, did your apprentice cook this today? His cooking is excellent, it tastes just like yours!"
Xu Liang smiled and agreed.
"He's willing to learn, so if anyone wants to eat here, just ask him. He'll make sure you won't be disappointed."
Seeing that Sun Zhonglei was finally able to stand on his own, Xu Liang felt very gratified.
With this capable helper, the pressure on the kitchen was greatly reduced, and the restaurant's operations were also improved with the addition of new staff.
Aunt Lu and Aunt Bai are in charge of front-of-house service and cleaning. They are warm and welcoming, and take excellent care of their guests.
Chen Yang was in charge of cashiering and checking accounts. He was meticulous and calculated every penny clearly, never making a mistake.
The four worked together seamlessly, making Xiao Liangzi's restaurant more and more prosperous every day, and it became a well-known home-style restaurant in the town.
After the lunch rush, the shop finally quieted down. The staff tidied up a bit and prepared to take a short break.
Xu Liang had just sat down and taken a sip of tea when the landline phone at the entrance of the small restaurant suddenly rang.
The crisp sound of the bell rang especially loudly in the small restaurant.
That was a landline that had just been installed in the store. Usually, it was regular customers who called to order food in advance, and there were very few other calls.
Chen Yang, who was closest, quickly walked over and picked up the microphone.
"Hello, this is Xiao Liangzi Restaurant."
A genuine Sichuan accent came from the other end of the phone; the words were simple and sincere, with a touch of warmth.
"Could you please find Xu Liang? I'm a distant relative of his, and I'm calling from Tongchuan County."
Chen Yang quickly turned around and called out to Xu Liang.
"Liangzi, it's a phone call. It's for you. They say they're relatives in Tongchuan County."
Xu Liang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.
Tongchuan County is located deep in the mountains of eastern Sichuan, hundreds of miles away from the town. Most of his relatives there are older generations, and he has never contacted them since he was reborn.
He quickly got up, walked to the counter, took the microphone, and spoke softly.
"Hello, this is Xu Liang. May I ask who you are?"
"Liangwazi, it's me, your brother Muping!"
The voice on the other end of the phone carried a strong local flavor of eastern Sichuan.
"It's been a long time since we last contacted each other. I heard you opened a restaurant in Rongcheng Town and your business is booming, so I called to ask how it is."
Xu Liang immediately realized that Mu Ping had always lived in the countryside of Tongchuan County in eastern Sichuan, making a living by farming. Although the two families lived far apart, they would occasionally visit each other during festivals, and their relationship was quite close.
He quickly responded with a smile.
"Muping, it's you! Long time no see. How are you? Why did you suddenly think of calling me?"
"I'm perfectly healthy, I just wanted to tell you something."
Mu Ping's tone carried a hint of mystery.
"Do you remember the small potatoes that grow in the mountains around Tongchuan? This year's harvest is particularly good. They are everywhere. They are small in size, with thin skin and tender flesh. They are sweet, glutinous and fragrant. Whether you steam them, boil them, stir-fry them or roast them, they are very fragrant. They are a unique flavor of eastern Sichuan. You can't find such authentic ones anywhere else."
When the topic of Sichuan potatoes comes up, Muping starts talking non-stop, praising them endlessly.
Xu Liang's memories were instantly stirred. In his previous life, he had been to Tongchuan County and eaten the local small potatoes. He still couldn't forget the unique taste of them.
Tongchuan, located in the mountainous region of eastern Sichuan, has fertile soil and a mild climate. The potatoes grown there are only the size of an egg, with smooth skin, high starch content, and a soft, powdery texture. They also have a sweet potato aroma, which is quite different from ordinary potatoes.
Whether you make them into pan-fried potatoes, the outer skin is fried until crispy and fragrant, while the inside is soft, chewy, and flavorful.
Or make it into spicy and sour mashed potatoes, which is smooth, creamy, and delicious with rice.
Whether simply stir-fried or prepared plain, it can become an excellent dish to accompany rice, with a strong local flavor.
Xu Liang's heart skipped a beat.
Xiao Liangzi Restaurant now mainly serves home-style dishes and rice bowls. Although there are many dishes, most of them are common Sichuan home-style dishes, lacking a signature dish that is unique and eye-catching.
These small potatoes from eastern Sichuan have a unique texture and rich flavor. If they could be introduced to the restaurant and made into several signature dishes, it would not only enrich the restaurant's menu but also attract more new customers, becoming a major feature of the restaurant.
Thinking of this, Xu Liang's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly asked.
"Muping, how much potato production do you have here? Is it easy to transport?"
"The yield is plentiful. Every household has planted a lot, so much that they can't eat it all, and a lot of it is piling up at home."
"These potatoes are tough and don't spoil easily. They can be packed in sacks and transported long distances without any problems. They will definitely arrive at your store intact."
Mu Ping readily agreed.
"I was just thinking that since you're opening a restaurant, you'll definitely need all sorts of ingredients. These potatoes are so good, it would be a shame not to use them in cooking. So I called to ask if you wanted to order some to try?"
Xu Liang was skeptical and clearly hesitant.
But then he realized that this was a golden opportunity, given the unique characteristics of small potatoes from eastern Sichuan.
It could definitely become a new selling point for restaurants; if prepared properly, it would absolutely win over diners' taste buds.
After thinking for a moment, Xu Liang spoke into the phone.
"Muping, yes! Of course I want it! Could you help me get a batch of the best quality potatoes from my hometown? I'll go there myself, partly to check the quality of the potatoes, and partly to discuss the supply with you."
"Okay! I'll wait for you at home and make sure I pick out the best potatoes for you!" Uncle was especially happy to hear that Xu Liang was coming over. The two chatted briefly for a few more minutes before hanging up.
Xu Liang put down the microphone, his heart filled with anticipation and excitement.
The small potatoes from eastern Sichuan present a great opportunity for the restaurant to reach new heights, and he must personally make the trip to ensure its success.
He turned to look at the people in the shop, his face serious, and began to speak.
"Aunt Lu, Aunt Bai, Zhong Lei, Chen Yang, I have something to tell you all."
The group stopped what they were doing and looked at Xu Liang, wondering what had happened.
"The person who just called was my cousin from Tongchuan County in eastern Sichuan. They produce a special kind of small potato there, which tastes amazing and is not available here. I plan to go to Tongchuan County myself to check the quality of the ingredients, discuss the procurement, and introduce this specialty ingredient to the restaurant to enrich our menu."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy. Sun Zhonglei was the first to speak.
"Ryoko, don't worry about going. I'll take care of things at the shop. Don't worry about the kitchen; I'll manage it perfectly and make sure it doesn't disrupt business."
Aunt Lu quickly chimed in.
"That's right, Liangwa, you can go without worry. We two old women will take care of the work in the front hall. We'll definitely handle entertaining guests and cleaning."
The old lady nodded as well.
"Yes, even if you're not here, we can still keep an eye on the store and there will be absolutely no mistakes."
Looking at the trusting and supportive eyes of his partners, Xu Liang felt reassured.
During this time, everyone has worked together and is no longer just a simple employer and employee, but a family fighting side by side.
He looked at Chen Yang, his tone unusually solemn.
"Chen Yang, I'll be away for at least three days and maybe five days. I'm entrusting the shop's cashier, accounts, and overall management to you."
"You are meticulous and reliable. Please take good care of everything in the store. If you encounter any problems that you can't solve, please feel free to call me."
Although Chen Yang is young, he is calm and reliable. He manages the accounts in an orderly manner and is very proper in his dealings with people. He is the most suitable person to manage the store.
Upon hearing Xu Liang's entrustment, Chen Yang straightened his back, his eyes firm, and nodded heavily.
"Ryoko, don't worry! I'll take good care of the restaurant and keep the accounts straight, and I'll be waiting for you to come back!"
Looking at his four reliable partners, Xu Liang felt completely at ease.
With them there, he had no worries and could travel to Tongchuan in eastern Sichuan to find the special ingredient that would elevate his restaurant to a higher level.
He then carefully gave instructions on all the matters concerning the store.
He repeatedly instructed Sun Zhonglei to control the taste of the dishes, Lu Niangniang and Bai Niangniang to provide good service, and Chen Yang to take good care of the store and manage the accounts.
After everything was arranged, Xu Liang looked at them again.
In his heart, he knew that this trip to eastern Sichuan would bring new opportunities to Xiaoliangzi Restaurant, and that his trustworthy partners would take good care of the small shop for him, waiting for him to return with brand new and unique ingredients.