Ruyi was quite adept at the art of making pastries.
Even though the dough was extremely soft, sticky, and hard to handle, she remained calm and composed. Following Li Ying's instructions, she always managed to knead it into a smooth, round, and pliable lump with a bit of toughness.
For this reason, Li Ying decided to teach her how to bake various kinds of pastries.
In the kitchen of the Li's Restaurant in the capital, a solid red - clay oven had been built on the day of its decoration.
The kitchen helpers rarely saw the boss, Miss Li, operate the large oven by herself. For a moment, they all craned their necks curiously, peering inside.
Ruyi had already divided the risen milk dough into small portions. Without using a rolling pin, she gently patted it into a round cake with her hands.
In this way, the crust of the baked pizza would be softer and more relaxed. When chewed carefully, the aroma of wheat would be more intense.
Around the edge of the pizza base, she placed dried cheese strips in a circle and wrapped them with the dough. After baking, it would be filled with the rich fragrance of milk, creating the "cheese - stuffed" flavor that girls would like.
Li Ying also taught Ruyi without reservation the techniques of making creamy white sauce and tomato red sauce.
She spread a layer of meat sauce on the pizza base, neatly arranged various pre - marinated meats and hams, dotted with small pieces of mushrooms and golden - fried potato wedges, sprinkled a layer of fine basil crumbs, and finally generously added a thick layer of cheese.
Although Ruyi followed Li Ying's instructions obediently, she still felt a bit uneasy when putting this oddly - shaped "big cake" into the oven.
"Sister Li, this pizza you've made..."
There was no shortage of various novel pastries and pancakes in the capital. With the fresh - meat pepper pancakes sold in the fishing - village night markets setting a good example, the restaurants naturally knew they had to put more effort into the flavors of the fillings.
However, it was the first time for someone to so openly place the ingredients on the pizza crust like this.
Li Ying smiled and said, "Ruyi, a merchant must have the courage and determination to be the first. Customers are always fond of novelty. Only by constantly innovating and surprising them can we remain undefeated."
She made several other pizzas with different flavors and put them into the oven together. As they talked and laughed, the rich aroma of the melting cheese secretly wafted out.
Li Ying calculated the time and carefully took out the baked pizzas with a long - handled spatula. She cut them into pieces with a sharp knife and invited the helpers around to taste.
Ruyi sniffed. The indescribable rich aroma made her mouth water.
Even though she had been in charge of the branch of Li's Restaurant for several months and had deliberately acted in a mature way to show her stability, her involuntary outstretched hand still made Li Ying smile.
"Quickly taste it. It should be the flavor you like."
She cheerfully handed a slice of pizza to Ruyi.
The softened cheese pulled out countless delicate and lingering threads, twining between the lips and teeth, and finally turning into a mellow milk fragrance.
The pizza crust, baked by the charcoal fire, was soft with a bit of toughness. Wrapped with the rich fillings, each bite brought a satisfying feeling.
The basil and meat - sauce pizza was rich in meat flavor. The roasted cherry tomatoes burst out sweet and sour appetizing juice in the mouth, full of passion.
The creamy spinach and roasted beef pizza took the pleasure of a hearty meal to the peak. The spinach in winter, after being frosted, became even sweeter, complementing the aroma of the creamy white sauce perfectly.
There were also those with novel flavors like "scallion - shredded roast duck" and "potato - wedge curry chicken". Each one had an unexpected taste.
Naturally, this aroma had already spread out of the small kitchen.
Li Ying waved her hand generously and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, let's give each table of guests dining here today a pizza as a token of our gratitude for their love of Li's Restaurant!"
With her generosity, the guests naturally cheered.
Seeing the diners all looking satisfied, Ruyi finally felt relieved. Her mind began to work actively.
To make pizza, the pizza base had to be rolled out by the chef personally, but there was really no difficulty in brushing the sauce and arranging the side dishes.
In this way, as long as the oven was big enough, it would be easy to bake a dozen different - flavored pizzas at once!
The restaurant's business was booming now. The helpers wished they could split themselves in two. But if they made more food like pizza and lasagna...
Even if they had to serve dozens of tables of guests at the same time, it shouldn't be a problem!
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She looked at Li Ying, wanting to say something but hesitated.
How could Li Ying not understand her intention? Immediately, she knew what was on Ruyi's mind.
Ruyi was truly a natural - born business talent, daring to think and act.
Once these Western - style dishes were introduced, they would surely cause a stir in the capital again. This would be a great opportunity to expand the Li's Restaurant.
But Li Ying just frowned slightly and then slowly shook her head.
"Ruyi, remember that in the future in the capital, you must be cautious in your words and deeds, be careful, and keep a low profile."
"Although the Imperial Inspector Lin is dead and there is no longer anyone in the capital who regards us as a thorn in their side, it is precisely at this time that we should be vigilant in times of peace."
To bring down Inspector Lin this time, she had taken a risky move, relying entirely on the emperor's suspicion of Inspector Lin.
Now, without that prominent figure, hundreds of pairs of eyes in the capital were naturally fixed on Su Buchi and Lu Xunguang, the new favorites of the emperor.
The Lu family had received the emperor's favor. In the past few days, they had presented the emperor with all kinds of rare treasures from the fishing village without reservation.
The nine - dynasty tribute glue, the fishing - village coastal tea, the top - grade bird's nest, and the sea - cultured pearls. Which one of them was not a rare and precious treasure?
Naturally, the emperor was overjoyed and heavily rewarded Lu Xunguang. But...
She lowered her voice and clearly explained all the pros and cons to Ruyi, repeatedly warning her not to be carried away by success. Opening a new branch or expanding the restaurant might arouse the emperor's suspicion.
As someone close to Lu Xunguang, she naturally couldn't hold him back.
Ruyi nodded, understanding her meaning, but there was still a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
"Sister Li, are we just going to let this great opportunity to make money slip away?"
Li Ying smiled.
"Of course not."
"Ruyi, have you forgotten our 'take - out' business?"
Ruyi's eyes lit up. That's right! Baked pizza only needed a small food container for heat preservation. It was perfect for home delivery!
The two looked at each other and smiled. They carefully rediscussed several dishes suitable for "Western - style take - out", carefully selected some quick - witted and flexible helpers, and gave them unified training. The business of "brick - oven pizza delivered to your home in half an hour" was thus established.