Gourmet: Midnight Vending

Chapter 105: Perfectionist Supreme Chicken


Don't be fooled by the small diameter of the black pot, its unique curve actually fits a lot!

And its special heat conduction properties ensure you don't have to worry about uneven heating causing different cooking levels of the ingredients.

That's really nice!

Sichuan pepper oil, scallion and ginger oil!

These two types of oil, after being refined by Chen Mo, are poured into reusable seasoning bottles, essentially becoming inexhaustible and low-cost chic.

The naturally aromatic oil, once heated, only needs a bit of scallion and ginger to be added in, no need for a long stir-fry, just until a slight fragrance is detected.

Removing the sautéed scallion and ginger to the side, Chen Mo lifted a bucket of chicken pieces and dumped them all into the black pot. On average, that's the equivalent of ten chickens.

Turn on the high heat!

The black pot quickly spread the heat to each piece of chicken, as if the aroma of the chicken was already noticeable in an instant.

"Mu Mu, help me!"

Xiao Mu, undeterred, responded, "Brother Chen Mo, you got this!"

Chen Mo: ???

Help me toss the pot, what's with the cheerleading?

Forget it.

Chen Mo simply grabbed the handles of the black pot with both hands, rooted his energy, stabilized his stance, and with a force from his legs, tossed the pot up and down with powerful arms.

The chicken pieces inside were tossed into the air and fell back precisely into the pot, a maneuver that left Chang Jianjun and LuLu deeply impressed.

The livestream chat was abuzz with excitement, not just anticipating the taste, but the cooking process itself was a spectacle!

Chen Mo let out a sigh of relief, thanking his regular stair climbs for his steady lower body.

The process of sautéing the chicken takes a little longer, persisting until the aroma is rich, and the meat starts to shrink, exposing the bones. Only then does Chen Mo pour the simmering caramel-colored sauce from the electric cooker back into the black pot.

Use a skimmer as you pour back, filtering out all the spices from the sauce.

Next comes the easy part.

Just put the lid back on and let it simmer on medium heat. This step is no different from the ordinary version, just use fewer seasonings, just a pinch of fine salt.

While waiting, Chen Mo seemed to have some new insights.

About special techniques, an understanding of ingredients.

Qingyuan Chicken, or tender chicken, really cooks easily, overcooking affects the texture greatly.

So how to infuse exquisite cooking skill in the short cook time? That might just be the real essence of cooking chicken dishes.

A few minutes later, Chen Mo divided the perfectly simmered chicken pieces into 20 small bowls.

The sautéed scallion and ginger were evenly placed over each serving of chicken, then he poured the broth from the pot over them.

He then covered each bowl with torn cabbage leaves.

"Boss Xiao Chen, what's this about?" Chang Jianjun couldn't help but ask.

It was really the first time he'd seen someone cook like this, every step was out of line with what he'd thought.

The previous steps could be explained, but covering the chicken with cabbage leaves seemed unnecessarily complicated, even giving off a pretentious air, commonly: this can sell for more.

Similarly, the livestream viewers shared similar doubts.

It felt like something done only in very high-end restaurants.

Chen Mo didn't quite understand the stir-frying sugar syrup technique, but he certainly knew about covering with cabbage leaves, it was emphasized in the recipe.

"Sealing with a cover is true braising. Of course, that's just one aspect. Mainly, the cabbage cover prevents too much aroma loss from the chicken, and the evaporated steam falls from the lid without dripping back into the bowl, while melding a bit of the cabbage's fresh aroma into the chicken."

Chang Jianjun seemed somewhat understanding, yet remaining seemingly impressed and puzzled.

Hou Yao, sitting on the bed, opened a second bottle of Maotai, thoroughly enjoying his drink today.

"Mr. Hou, is it really as mystical as Boss Xiao Chen claims?"

Fang Zhizhong was skeptical, it's just cabbage leaves, why so mysterious?

Hou Yao nodded slightly, "Actually, how to say it..."

He wouldn't definitively say it tastes better, but found a way to explain simplified for Fang Zhizhong, "You see, making a dish's process lasts just ten to twenty minutes in total, including numerous steps, adding spices, controlling heat, and so on."

"Actually, to ordinary folks, messing up any step wouldn't greatly affect a dish's taste. But when you aim for perfection in each step, the final dish surely edges towards perfection."

Fang Zhizhong mulled over for a while, "I get it! You mean, like, if I smoke Huazi daily, switching to some He Tianxia, it feels the same, but switching to Liqun feels harsh in the throat, right?"

Hou Yao didn't anticipate President Fang's unique angle of understanding, feeling admiration, he raised his glass, "Well put!"

In a nutshell, whether the cabbage is covered could hardly be tasted by the average person, but if eating it daily and then having one without the cover later on, the faults would be glaring.

Getting a refined taste is just like that.

Over five hundred people watched Chen Mo cooking, each step meticulous, every move fluid, those not staying hospitalized already secretly swore to get sick by tomorrow!

Information group.

Old Zhao frantically sent message after message.

"LuLu, LuLu! What's happening, why haven't you delivered my food?"

"What do you mean? I've been waiting an hour and haven't seen even a bun?"

"LuLu, say something. I'm not in the inpatient department; I'm in the men's ward, LuLu, are you there?"

LuLu, here.

"Doctor Chang, what's the men's ward? Isn't it in the inpatient department?"

Chang Jianjun wasn't sure why LuLu asked, "The men's and women's wards are more private, so the rooms are specifically set nearby but separated from the inpatient department. Why do you ask?"

LuLu responded with an oh, "Nothing much."

It's true, the hospital's thoughtful arrangement keeps these patients away from many prying eyes while moving around.

It's pretty nice.

Ignoring Old Zhao's chatty group messages, LuLu continued to watch Boss Xiao Chen.

As the first basket of chicken steamed, Boss Xiao Chen started the second batch of chicken pieces.

Steam again!

With five barrels of chicken done, Chen Mo looked at the five large steamers with a full sense of accomplishment.

Who would've thought those steaming baskets for buns could be used for this?

According to staggered times of steaming, the first Yellow Braised Chicken is done, ready to serve!

LuLu and her companion eagerly stood up to take a look, the original green and white cabbage leaves now all soft and wilted.

Chen Mo, moving gently, one by one removed the cabbage leaves and placed a plate upside down over each bowl.

Using a cloth to hold, hands on top and bottom, turned the bowl and the plate sideways, pouring the broth back into the black pot.

Last step, thickening.

The sauce for Yellow Braised Chicken should not be too thick, just enough to slightly thicken so it clings onto the chicken surface.

The thickened sauce becomes even more glossy.

Scooping out the scallion and ginger from the surfaces, he ladled the bright sauce over each bowl, the advanced version of Yellow Braised Chicken, done!

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