Li Ying eyed the jade pendant. The material and carving were both of top - notch quality, and it had been polished smooth and delicate from frequent handling, clearly a cherished item of its owner.
A thought flashed through her mind. Immediately, with a warm smile, she gently pushed the jade pendant back intact.
"Sir, what are you saying? I suppose you were in a hurry when you went out and forgot your money pouch."
"You like the taste of our skewers so much. I'm already overjoyed. How could I speak rudely to you? Sir, please take back your jade pendant. You can pay for the meal next time."
Li Ying spoke so naturally that the few diners nearby all involuntarily gasped.
The purple - robed man had eaten heartily this meal. The bill was enough to cover an ordinary family's living expenses for a month. And since this was his first time here, if he really ran away without paying, Li Ying would surely suffer a great loss.
"Boss Li, even if you're willing to offer credit, it's better to keep something as collateral..."
Someone kindly offered her advice, but Li Ying just waved it off nonchalantly. She bowed politely and courteously saw the purple - robed old man off from the stall.
She didn't take this little episode to heart.
Judging from the old man's reluctant look, she somehow felt certain that they would meet again.
Just as Li Ying had expected, those newly opened barbecue stalls were busy imitating her skewers. However, whether it was the freshness of the ingredients or the seasoning, they were ultimately inferior to hers.
Li Ying didn't bother to care. She continued to manage her stall as usual. One day, when the flow of customers at the stall finally slowed down a bit, Manager Wu from the Zizai Workshop called out to her.
"Boss Li, are you free these days?"
He was beaming with joy and his face was glowing, obviously having been doing quite well in business. Li Ying put down the odds and ends in her hands, poured him a bowl of hot tea, and greeted him, "Manager Wu, do you have any instructions?"
Manager Wu took the tea from her and then smiled, "Boss Li, our master intends to hold a family banquet. Usually, this kind of task is handled by the Zizai Workshop. But I've heard that you're extremely skilled in cooking and your dishes are novel in style. So the master wants you to prepare this banquet."
Li Ying never expected that business would come so soon. For a moment, she was a bit dazed.
Seeing her stunned look, Manager Wu thought she didn't understand the benefits of this, so he kindly reminded her, "Boss Li, don't you always dream of opening a restaurant specializing in the 'burning - tail banquet'? There will be many civil officials and literati at our master's family banquet. Their disciples will surely become your customers if they pass the imperial examinations in the future! Boss Li, this is a once - in - a - lifetime opportunity. You mustn't miss it!"
Every word he said was for her good. Naturally, Li Ying wasn't so ungrateful. She thanked him and, for the first time, closed her stall early to go back and plan the menu.
Li Ying didn't know what official position the owner behind the Zizai Workshop held. But according to Manager Wu, this old master had no taboos about food, yet his taste was extremely picky. It wouldn't be easy to cook dishes to his liking.
"Boss Li, our master said that he's tired of all the common cooking methods of chicken, duck, fish, and other delicacies. He invited you here just to taste some unique and fresh flavors. You must show your best skills."
Li Ying raised her eyebrows. Was this mysterious old master challenging her cooking skills?
She smiled slightly and confidently agreed. She knew very well that this family banquet was crucial for her to build her first network of contacts in the capital, so she became extra vigilant.
According to Manager Wu, their master was a bit impatient. Li Ying guessed that if she was right, spicy and flavorful dishes would surely suit his taste.
Her pickled kimchi was just ready. She tore off a small piece and took a bite. The taste was extremely sour and appetizing. Li Ying calmed herself down and immediately had an idea.
The black carp brought by the horse caravan this time had indigo - blue patterns all over its body, reflecting a faint cold light in the sun. The fish was as straight as a sharp dagger. After washing and cutting it into sections, it would be perfect to stew with the kimchi.
She cut the radish, long green peppers, and scallions into large pieces. Layer by layer, she placed them in the pot together with the bright - red kimchi. Then she prepared a bowl of sauce by mixing minced garlic, chili sauce, sweet rice wine, and soy sauce. There was no need to add extra water; the dish would be stewed with the moisture from the ingredients themselves.
In winter, the black carp caught from the sea was fat. The fat was neutralized by the sourness of the kimchi, making the fish meat even more delicious and tender.
The pungent sourness of the pickled vegetables became mild and mellow after stewing. Absorbing the freshness of the fish and the essence of the sauce, it became the perfect accompaniment for every bite of the fish.
She carefully picked out a piece of plump and boneless fish with chopsticks, covered it with a slice of kimchi, a piece of sweet and crispy scallion, and a pepper. Taking a bite, the texture in her mouth was extremely rich. Salty, sweet, spicy, and sour flavors all came together, like a firework exploding on the taste buds, making one unable to stop.
The radish was stewed until it was soft and flavorful. It seemed to melt in the mouth without even having to chew. Then, scooping up a spoonful of the bright - red spicy fish soup while it was still hot and eating it with various vegetables and sticky rice made one sweat all over with pleasure.
The remaining kimchi was casually cut into small pieces, mixed with chopped chives and scallions, and then added to the batter seasoned with garlic powder and pepper. Fresh shrimps, scallops, and octopus segments were also added to make the pancake batter.
As soon as the kimchi seafood pancake was put into the pan, it made a "hissing" sound. Fry it patiently over medium - low heat until a thin crispy crust formed on both sides, then it could be cut into small pieces and served with dipping sauce.
The seafood pancake made by Li Ying was bright - red in color, crispy on the outside and sticky on the inside, soft but not sticky. Dipping it in soy sauce and sweet - and - sour sauce, one could taste the rich aroma of oil without feeling greasy. The sweetness of the seafood and the sourness of the kimchi complemented each other perfectly, and the taste was extremely rich.
Finally, the scattered kimchi leaves were not wasted either. After being chopped, they were mixed with soaked sweet potato starch, minced meat, scrambled eggs, and chives, and seasoned with sesame oil to make a fragrant filling. Wrapped into dumplings and fried in the pan until a thin lace - like ice - flower formed on the bottom, they were crispy with endless aftertaste.
Li Ying was confident. Just this kimchi alone, which the people in the capital had never heard of or seen before, would surely amaze all the guests at the family banquet!
However, considering that most of the people at the family banquet were of high status, she couldn't just rely on the novelty of the kimchi. She also had to prepare some high - class and delicately - presented "staple dishes" to show off her skills.