sinovels Chapter 48 Trial Sale of Spicy Boiled Pork Slices
Chapter 48 Trial Sale of Spicy Boiled Pork Slices
Xu Liang sat alone in the small restaurant, with a bowl of freshly cooked spicy boiled pork slices in front of him, still steaming.
The glistening red oil floats on the soup noodles, topped with emerald green scallions and Sichuan peppercorns.
The lingering aroma of numbing spiciness slowly spreads throughout the small restaurant.
Xu Liang picked up his chopsticks again, taking a bite of the bean sprouts and shredded lettuce at the bottom of the bowl. The crisp and tender vegetables soaked up the spicy broth.
One bite and the spiciness explodes on your tongue, without being overpowering, but just right.
Xu Liang picked up another slice of pork tenderloin, and the meat was still tender and springy.
It has a smooth texture and a perfect balance of saltiness, with every drop of rich broth perfectly balanced.
The ratio of numbing to spicy is just right.
It suits the tastes of Sichuan people and won't be too stimulating or upset their stomachs.
"That's the taste!"
Xu Liang put down his chopsticks and a smile appeared on his face.
The frustration and anxieties of the past few days have been soothed by this bowl of boiled pork slices.
He had put a lot of effort into innovation, but he never expected that he would be enlightened by the statement that "Sichuan people like spicy food".
It turns out that the most popular flavors are not fancy new dishes, but the down-to-earth, authentic flavors that locals can enjoy.
He got up and cleaned the dishes and chopsticks, and carefully wiped the cutting board and stove.
Then, Xu Liang mentally reviewed the cooking process he had just gone through.
After all this was done, the sounds of factory workers leaving get off work could be heard again in the town.
It's time to leave work, but it's not officially time to leave yet.
As usual, a group of people walked along the highway, but it wasn't mealtime yet; it was just a rest stop.
Some people only come out to buy cigarettes and water.
At the same time, Xu Liang was thinking about how to cook white rice and make a new dish, boiled sliced pork.
I've already planned out my expectations for today's trial sale.
Make sure you have enough ingredients, set the prices affordable, and test the new dishes for the first three days without expecting to make a profit.
All I want is to earn a good reputation and hear the neighbors' honest feedback on this new dish.
He made up his mind not to advertise, but to wait for regular customers to come to him.
Casual recommendations and the authentic taste speak for themselves – that's the foundation of a small restaurant.
After thinking for a moment, he rode the old-fashioned bicycle he had just gotten from his father, Xu Guisheng, with a cloth bag in the basket, straight to the town's vegetable market near noon.
Although it wasn't as lively as the morning batch, and the vegetables weren't as fresh, we still had to make the boiled pork slices dish, as so many factory workers were waiting to eat it.
The morning market had already quieted down, and the vegetable farmers were setting up their stalls with the vegetables they hadn't sold that morning.
Many meats are no longer available on the shelves of butcher shops.
Fortunately, you can still occasionally see one or two places selling Xu Liang's pork tenderloin.
The sounds of hawking and haggling filled the air.
He simply didn't hear it, and by lunchtime everyone's enthusiasm had waned.
The vitality of the entire vegetable market is declining significantly.
Xu Liang headed straight to a familiar butcher shop, where the owner, Boss Wang, was busy chopping up the remaining meat.
When Boss Wang saw Xu Liang, he greeted him, "Liang boy, what kind of meat do you want today?"
"You usually order pork belly and pork shoulder, what would you like to change it up for today?"
"Brother Wang, cut me six pounds of tenderloin, the tenderest kind, without any tendons or membranes."
Xu Liang said with a smile, "My little restaurant has a lot of customers, and today we'll rely on this pork tenderloin to make a living!"
Boss Wang readily agreed: "Sure!"
Old Wang swiftly and deftly cut off a piece of tenderloin that was bright red in color and firm in texture.
After you're done, tie it up with straw rope and hand it to him.
"Don't worry, these are all pigs that were just slaughtered this morning. I won't cheat you. The tenderloin is the most tender part of the pig, so the dishes made from it will definitely be excellent."
"Six jin is just right, thank you so much! Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to sell them all today. If it's too little, there won't be enough for the customers, and if it's too much, it'll be a waste. Don't worry, I'll weigh it out perfectly for you!"
Xu Liang paid the money and then went to the vegetable stall to pick out vegetables.
The lettuce should be crisp and tender, and the bean sprouts should be plump and rootless.
Fresh enoki mushrooms are not sticky to the touch, and they are not blackened or rotten.
Xu Liang carefully selected each item.
He didn't ride his bike to his small restaurant until the burlap sack in the basket was completely full.
Back at the shop, Xu Liang didn't even have time to catch his breath before immediately getting to work.
He first cleaned the pork tenderloin and placed it steadily on the cutting board.
With the cleaver close to the cutting board, against the grain of the meat, slice it into even, thin slices.
The sliced meat was cut to a uniform thickness and placed in an enamel bowl.
It looks very fresh and tender.
Then, add salt, local soy sauce, and cooking wine in the correct proportions, gently mix with your hands, and knead repeatedly.
After the meat slices have fully absorbed the seasonings.
Then let it sit aside to marinate.
This step is key to making the meat slices tender and smooth.
Next, Xu Liang processed the various side dishes in the order he remembered.
He used a peeler to peel the lettuce and cut it into evenly sized shreds.
Remove the old roots from the mung bean sprouts, rinse them three times, and soak them in a basin.
Cut off the roots of the enoki mushrooms, tear them into small pieces, wash them thoroughly and drain them.
The side dishes were categorized and neatly arranged in bamboo baskets.
The seasonings were also plentiful, with impurities removed from Hanyuan peppercorns, and the bright red Erjingtiao peppers and small red chilies cut into sections.
Finely chop the pickled ginger and garlic, and finely mince the Pixian chili bean paste.
All the ingredients are ready, just waiting to start cooking, and then... (The sentence is incomplete and ends abruptly.)
One by one, the dishes are baked and ready to serve.
He moved a stool and added another line to the price list on the wall.
Spicy boiled sliced pork, 4 yuan.
……
Just after 10 a.m., the streets gradually became more crowded.
Workers from nearby factories gradually left for the day, leaving behind a yard full of heavy-duty scooters and a few people chatting and laughing.
In no time, the large wooden paddles on the field were all gone.
At this point, the small restaurant should start to get busy.
Around 10:30, the first customer pushed open the door and entered; it was Mr. Du, an old worker from the cement factory.
He's a regular customer at the shop, coming almost every day.
As soon as he entered, Master Du shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Liangwa, the same as always today, one bowl of twice-cooked pork and a generous amount of rice. I'm exhausted from working this morning, so I need to make up for it."
Xu Liang heard that Master Du needed twice-cooked pork, but this morning he had only made a new dish, which was spicy boiled pork slices. So he thought he would explain it to Master Du properly.
"Master Du, the twice-cooked pork is sold out. I've launched a new dish, would you like to try it?"
"Oh, a new dish? I have to try it!"
Xu Liang smiled at him.
"Alright, Chef Li, please have a seat. Your tea will be poured right away, and the dishes will be ready shortly!"
Xu Liang smiled and agreed, poured Master Li a cup of hot tea, turned around and went into the kitchen, served him some boiled pork slices from the pot, put them on a plate, and then scooped a bowl of white rice.
Immediately afterwards, Xu Lianghan served rice and boiled sliced meat on the table.
Not long after it arrived, Master Du could smell a spicy aroma from afar.
Master Du picked up his chopsticks, took a piece, and put it in his mouth.
He then nodded repeatedly.
"Your cooking is truly authentic. This spicy boiled pork slices are so delicious, so satisfying! I feel completely at ease eating here!"
As they were talking, several more workers came into the shop. They were from nearby brick and tile factories and machinery factories, and they came in twos and threes.
Upon entering, everyone found a seat and ordered their favorite dishes: Mapo Tofu, Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce, Boiled Sliced Pork...
Soon the shop was more than half full, with the sounds of clinking bowls and chopsticks, laughter, and shouts rising and falling.
The once quiet little restaurant suddenly became bustling with activity.
Xu Liang was so busy at the stove that his feet barely touched the ground, and beads of sweat dripped straight down his forehead.
Xu Liang's back was also soaked with sweat, but he always had a smile on his face and his hands did not slow down at all.
Every dish is carefully prepared, with precise control of heat and seasonings, ensuring that every dish is authentically Sichuan.
After the peak season, there were fewer customers in the store, but a few tables were still occupied with eating and chatting.
Xu Liang wiped the sweat from his face, took a sip of water, glanced at the regulars in the shop, and thought to himself, "Why don't I go up and join in the fun and have a chat?"
He walked to a table near the kitchen, where three young workers from the machine factory were sitting. They were all in their early twenties, just like Xu Liang, and they were working hard.
He usually prefers strong flavors when eating, and he always orders Mapo Tofu. He always tells Xu Liang that it's not spicy enough and asks for more spice and numbing flavor.
"Gentlemen, please enjoy your meal."
Xu Liang spoke with a smile, his tone very sincere.
"I have something to tell you all. My shop has a new dish called Spicy Boiled Pork Tenderloin Slices. It's a trial sale for the first three days, and it's two yuan cheaper than the original price. Want to try it next time?"
The three young workers immediately looked up, and one of them, a young man with a buzz cut, asked curiously.
"What's 'boiled sliced pork'?"
"How does it compare to Mapo Tofu? No, we just love spicy food. Boiled pork slices won't do if they're not flavorful enough."
"It's absolutely authentically spicy, made with Hanyuan tribute peppers and Erjingtiao peppers, with a rich, numbing flavor and a fresh, fragrant spiciness."
"If you still don't believe me, just look at the price list!"
A customer confronted Xu Liang.
"Isn't the price of 4 yuan written on this all the same? Is there any discount?"
"That's written on it, but it'll be half price next time you come to eat here."
The people on one side started making a fuss.
"This...this feels so good?"
"How many discounts are there?"
Xu Liang held up three fingers and said to everyone.
"three times!"
These words immediately excited the diners in the restaurant.
"And what are the ingredients?"
Xu Liang patiently explained the situation to the diners.
"The main ingredient is tender pork tenderloin slices, with shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, and enoki mushrooms underneath. The pork slices are very tender, and the vegetables are soaked in the soup. It's very appetizing and tastes different from the Mapo Tofu and Twice-Cooked Pork in the restaurant. This dish is definitely innovative."
Another worker wearing a hat scratched his head.
"Is it really as delicious as you say? I hope it's not just for show, all looks and no substance."
"I guarantee with the reputation of my little shop that if you don't like it, just tell me and I won't charge you for the bowl."
Xu Liang patted his chest and assured him, his tone very certain.
"I've tasted this dish myself, and it's exactly the spicy and numbing flavor that we Sichuan people love. I would never lie to anyone."
Upon hearing this, the young man with the buzz cut became interested and waved his hand.
"Okay! We'll get one too. The three of us plan to try it. If it's really good, we'll order it every day!"
"Okay! Okay!"
Seeing that the guy with the buzz cut had made his decision, the others couldn't hold back any longer.
"I'll have one too!"
"Me too!"
"Do mine first."
Xu Liang smiled and agreed to each one, then turned and went back into the kitchen.
At this moment, his eyes became exceptionally focused as he began cooking the next batch of boiled pork slices.
At this point, the current group of diners finished eating, and it was time for the next group.
The aroma of spicy numbing flavor intensified, filling the entire store.
The three young workers stared wide-eyed, picked up their chopsticks, and eagerly grabbed a slice of meat.
"Wow, this slice of meat is so tender! It melts in your mouth, not dry at all!"
The young man with the buzz cut took a bite, his eyes lit up instantly, and he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"This spicy flavor is so authentic! It's fragrantly spicy and incredibly numbing. The more you eat, the more comfortable it feels, and the more you want to eat it again!"
Another worker nodded repeatedly, giving a thumbs-up as he ate.
"The bean sprouts and shredded lettuce at the bottom are even better; they've soaked up all the broth and are even more fragrant than the meat—they're so delicious with rice!"
The three of them chatted away, sweating profusely as they ate, unable to stop eating. They completely forgot about the twice-cooked pork and shredded pork with garlic sauce that they had originally ordered but hadn't yet been served.
A bowl of boiled sliced pork was devoured in less than ten minutes.
They even mixed the soup with their rice and ate it all up.
A full bowl of rice was gone in no time.
"Boss, this is so delicious! Another bowl, please! The three of us haven't had enough!"
The young man with the buzz cut put down his chopsticks and shouted loudly, his face full of satisfaction.
This shout immediately attracted the attention of other customers in the store. Chef Zhang at the next table was an old worker in his fifties who had been eating at Xu Liang's store for several years and had a discerning palate.
Seeing this, he asked curiously.
"Young man, is this new dish really that delicious?"
"That's right!"
"Then give me one too, I want to try it."
Xu Liang responded from inside the kitchen.
"Okay, just a moment."
"Master Zhang, this dish is absolutely delicious! You'll know once you try it. If you don't like it, my son will be damned!"
The young man with the buzz cut enthusiastically recommended Master Zhang.
Before long, other customers also ordered the boiled pork tenderloin slices.
Xu Liang immediately got busy again, the fire in front of the stove never went out, and bowl after bowl of boiled pork tenderloin slices were served.
Every bowl is fragrant and delicious, and every bowl is praised by the guests.
After taking his first bite, Master Zhang couldn't help but nod and said leisurely.
"Liangwazi, your cooking skills are truly exceptional. These slices of meat are incredibly tender, and the spiciness is just right. They taste even better than what you get at restaurants in town, and they suit our tastes perfectly."
At the next table, a neighbor, Aunt Hua, who usually prefers light meals, ordered a dish to try it out. After eating it, she smiled and said...
"I don't usually like spicy food, but yours is just the right amount of spicy. It's fragrant but not overpowering, the vegetables are refreshing, and the meat slices are tender. I can eat more than half a bowl of it. I'll let my husband try it too."
"That's wonderful!" Xu Liang said to her with a beaming smile.
The restaurant is getting more and more customers, most of whom come specifically for the newly introduced boiled sliced pork.
Originally, it was just regular customers trying it out, but gradually, passersby smelled the aroma and also pushed open the door to enter, order a bowl, and the small shop was soon full, with some people even standing at the door waiting for a seat.
This is a rare sight of bustling activity in the small town's home-style restaurants.
Xu Liang was so busy that he didn't even have time to drink water, and the sweat on his forehead kept flowing down.
But my heart was filled with joy as I listened to the guests' praises and saw how satisfied everyone was with their meal.
No matter how exhausted he was, Xu Liang knew it was all worth it!