novelraw Chapter 340 - 316: How Can a Real Man Admit He Can’t Do It!
Chapter 340 - 316: How Can a Real Man Admit He Can’t Do It!
Amidst the chaos in the kitchen...
Huang Jun had no idea that a team of police had visited the kindergarten quietly, and it was even more unexpected for him that a top-level anti-riot drill was about to unfold within the kindergarten.
At this moment...
He couldn’t spare a thought for the changes in the outside world, as he was leading his small kitchen team, busy preparing for the upcoming lunch peak.
Indeed.
The highlight of today’s lunch was the mouth-watering pig’s trotter rice.
This dish had always held an important place in Huang Jun’s heart; he usually chose it when ordering takeaway.
The tender pig’s trotter, paired with fragrant rice, and drizzled with a secret sauce, every bite was filled with happiness...
Therefore.
He was particularly looking forward to cooking the pig’s trotter rice himself.
The taste must be quite good, right?!
At this moment, he adeptly poured clear cold water into the pot, then added the pig bones, old chicken, and carefully singed and cleaned pigskin into the cold water.
The addition of pigskin was not random; it was to give the broth a richer taste and texture.
As the fire gradually intensified, the water in the pot began to boil.
He skimmed off the foam with a spoon, letting the ingredients continue to cook for three minutes.
This step was crucial as it ensured the removal of blood and odors from the pig’s trotter.
Then, he removed the pigskin and other ingredients from the boiling water and quickly immersed them in cold water to rinse again.
He poured the well-rinsed ingredients into the soup bucket one by one.
As the ingredients mixed evenly in the bucket, Huang Jun increased the heat again, bringing the soup to a quick boil.
In the meantime, Huang Jun didn’t remain idle.
He placed the sole fish on the fire, carefully roasting it until the skin was an enticing golden brown with slightly charred edges, fully releasing the fish’s freshness and aroma.
As the water in the soup bucket began to boil, Huang Jun quickly added the roasted sole fish and chopped ginger slices.
Using a spoon, he skimmed the foam off the soup surface, making the soup clearer and brighter.
He covered the pot, increased the heat, letting the ingredients in the soup bucket simmer at high temperature for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to fully blend.
Afterward, he reduced the heat to the lowest, letting the ingredients simmer slowly, further releasing their deliciousness and nutrients until reaching the perfect taste.
During this break.
Huang Jun started preparing the spices that would add layers to the pig’s trotter rice.
He placed cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, white cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, fennel, sand ginger, white pepper, cabbage seeds, bay leaves, Sichuan peppercorns, dried chili, white angelica, and qianlixiang into the pot, gently stirring them over low heat.
Stirring over low heat was key to fully releasing the aroma of the spices.
As the roasting time passed, the aroma of the spices gradually permeated the kitchen.
When all the spices were roasted to a golden brown with a rich aroma, Huang Jun carefully packed them into a spice bag and tied it tightly for later use in the soup.
Next, he began preparing the fragrant spice oil.
He placed the pot on the fire, poured in lard, letting the oil temperature gradually rise until it started to smoke slightly, emitting a faint fragrance of fat.
When the oil temperature was just right, he quickly added green onions, onions, ginger slices, minced garlic, and cilantro into the pot.
As the oil temperature continued to rise, the pot started making a subtle sizzling sound, and the aromatic ingredients turned golden, releasing a rich and tempting aroma, instantly filling the kitchen with this fragrance.
When all the aromatic ingredients turned golden and the fragrance was pervasive, he removed them from the oil.
Although the spices were already fragrant, their aromas were not fully released.
Thus, he packed these spices into a spice bag, planning to place them into the broth later to continue releasing their flavors and blend perfectly with the pig’s trotter and sauce.
As time passed...
He observed closely, seeing that the pig bones and pigskin had perfectly blended into the soup, making it thick and creamy, as if a heavenly potion.
Nodding in satisfaction, he skillfully removed all the ingredients from the broth, preparing for the final seasoning stage.
He placed a little red yeast rice into a strainer and simmered it in the broth over low heat.
The red yeast rice slowly released color in the strainer, gradually giving the broth an enticingly bright red hue.
This red yeast rice not only bestowed a beautiful color to the broth but also ensured its vibrant appearance over time without discoloration.
Then, he added Longjiang sweet oil to remove the fishiness and enhance the aroma, followed by Longjiang soy sauce to enhance the flavor and color.
But no sugar coloring was added, as it would ruin the entire pot of braised broth.
To enhance the color of the broth, he added a little dark soy sauce, then carefully stirred, allowing the various seasonings to blend thoroughly for a more uniform color. Afterward, he added chicken essence, monosodium glutamate, salt, and maltose to add a rich taste and layers to the broth.
Next, he poured in the previously prepared aromatic spice oil, adding ginger slices, spice bags, and herb bags one by one.
Submerging these spice bags, he brought it to a boil, reduced the heat, covered it, and began simmering, allowing the spice flavors to be released into the broth.
Meanwhile, Huang Jun poured an appropriate amount of clear water into the pot, placing the cleaned pig trotters into the cold water to start boiling.
As the high flames raged, the pot cover was deliberately left ajar, allowing steam to escape freely.
When the water began to boil and the scum gradually surfaced, he carefully removed these impurities until there were no new impurities left in the pot.
Afterward, he fished out the pig’s feet and rinsed them under the tap, thoroughly removing the leftover scum from the meat crevices, then drained the excess water, leaving them ready for further use.
Once the marinade was ready, he placed the rinsed pig’s feet into it.
The broth, made specifically for pig’s feet rice, only applies to ingredients from the pig. As time passes, the gelatin in the broth gradually extracts, causing the marinade to become thicker, seemingly infused with endless rich aroma.
In the state of neither fully boiling nor simmering, he covered the pot and continued to marinate.
At this temperature, the pig’s feet slowly absorbed the essence of the broth, gradually becoming flavorful. Occasionally, the soup pot emitted bubbling sounds, accompanied by an enticing aroma spreading through the air.
...
Inside the kindergarten, staff were busily setting up cameras in every corner to ensure every detail of the drill was recorded.
Before long...
The cameras in the main scenes were installed one by one, ready for action.
Although this was a top-tier anti-terror drill, the entire process was designed to be straightforward and clear, easy to execute.
The script for the drill was as follows: Three simulated terrorists, armed with AK weapons, suddenly broke into the kindergarten, taking Liang Yinqiu hostage and controlling all the teachers and children inside.
Immediately, the police would intervene quickly, employing professional strategies to subdue the terrorists and successfully rescue all hostages.
The core purpose of this anti-terror drill was to raise the children’s safety awareness.
Through such simulated exercises, children could develop a certain level of self-help and mutual aid awareness when encountering dangerous situations.
Of course.
The prerequisite for all actions must be ensuring the children’s safety.
Even though the drill is essentially safe, there can be no relaxation.
As the drill’s chief commander, he habitually reminded the team members: Everyone listen up, the primary task of the drill is to ensure the children’s safety, which is the foundation of our actions. Have you all understood?
"Understood!"
The participating police responded in unison.
Then, he reiterated all the precautions, enabling everyone to clearly understand their respective duties.
At this moment, Uncle Li slowly approached, rubbing his hands with a smile, and asked, "Captain Guan, I heard that in this drill, Director Liang was arranged by you as a hostage?"
Guan Shiming nodded and replied, "Yes, Director Liang has great awareness. She volunteered for this task, adding a lot of realism to this drill."
Uncle Li’s smile deepened: "Captain Guan, look, can you arrange a role for me too? I was a soldier in my youth and have some experience in this area."
"Oh, did you serve in the military?" Guan Shiming’s eyes flashed with a hint of respect.
Uncle Li said proudly, "Of course, I was once a model soldier. Besides, I recently learned a set of martial arts, and I’m quite good at it."
"You know martial arts too?" Guan Shiming asked curiously.
Uncle Li puffed up his chest and said cheerfully, "What’s the matter, Captain Guan, don’t you believe me? How about I demonstrate a set of martial arts for you and show you my skills!"
While speaking, Uncle Li eagerly posed in a starting stance, and judging by that posture, nine out of ten it was Tai Chi.
However, with the anti-terror drill about to begin, every minute and every second was precious, leaving no leisure to appreciate Tai Chi.
Guan Shiming courteously stopped him, "Uncle, I believe you. Don’t perform your martial arts now. Just tell me the role you want to play, and I will try to meet your request."
Uncle Li said with a smile, "I can do any role, as long as I can fulfill a dream of showcasing my martial arts."
Oh!
Didn’t expect it, Uncle Li, you also have a hero’s dream...
Upon hearing this, the surrounding kindergarten leaders couldn’t help but laugh, teasing Uncle Li one after another.
"Uncle Li, can your body withstand the exertion?"
"Indeed, take it easy; don’t push your old bones too hard."
"Uncle, we’ve never seen you showcase martial arts before. Is it really that impressive this time?"
"Yeah, Uncle Li, can you really do it?"
Hey~
Look at what you’re saying, underestimating whom?
How can a real man say he can’t!
Uncle Li heard these doubts and a hint of defiance flashed in his eyes: "Don’t underestimate me! Although I am old, my body is strong! When the drill starts, just watch and see my true skills!"
Guan Shiming initially had concerns about Uncle Li’s physical condition, but seeing his spirited actions earlier, his worries disappeared.
He nodded in agreement and said, "Alright, Uncle, why not play your true self and act as a guard? When bad guys rush into the kindergarten later, you can stand up and stop them, while showcasing your martial arts, then pretend to be knocked down by them. Does this arrangement suit you?"
"No problem, just wait and see. I, an old man, will give you a wonderful performance." Uncle Li said with confidence.
"Great! But proceed within your limits; don’t overexert..."
Guan Shiming reminded.
Then he conducted final checks on various aspects.
Once confirming every detail was perfect, he issued the command to start through the walkie-talkie...