Chapter 68



68 Changing Methods

Just in case, Sister-in-law Shen made them all drink a big bowl of hot ginger soup.

“Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law.”

Shen Yao and Ji Zhao said in unison.

“We’re family, what’s there to be polite about?” Shen Dalang quickly smiled and said, “By the way, why are you guys in the county city? Is there something going on at home?”

“Brother, don’t worry. Everything is fine at home.” Shen Yao smiled and pointed at the basket he had placed in the corner. He explained softly, “I accompanied Ah Tao to the county city to deliver goods to Hongxing Restaurant.”

“I see!” Shen Dalang nodded gently. “But the rain is still heavy. When the rain stops, I’ll accompany you to the restaurant.”

“Thank you, Big Brother!”

“We’re brothers!” Shen Dalang smiled brightly and patted Shen Yao’s shoulder!

“Ah Tao, can you accompany me to the kitchen?” Eldest Sister-in-law Shen thought for a moment and walked to Ji Zhao, pleading softly.

“Sure, do you need me to do anything?”

“Let’s talk as we walk.” Eldest Sister-in-law Shen held her arm affectionately and walked happily to the small kitchen in the backyard. “It’s like this. This morning, when Chunyan went to the market to buy groceries, she mistakenly bought pork trotters instead of pork belly. When she turned around to look for the stall owner again, the stall owner had already sold all the pork belly. The stall owner was also an honest person and did not take extra money from Chunyan.”

“It’s just that your eldest brother has never liked pork trotters,” Sister-in-law Shen said in distress. “So, Ah Tao, can I ask you for a favor? Can you help me deal with these pork trotters?”

Ji Zhao did not agree immediately. Instead, she asked curiously, “Sister-in-law, why doesn’t Big Brother like pork trotters?”

Pig trotters were so delicious!

Besides, they were full of collagen!

“Your brother said that pork trotters always smell like pig urine. He really doesn’t like it.” Sister-in-law Shen sighed helplessly. “To be honest, before I got married, my favorite food was pork trotters. Unfortunately, your brother doesn’t like it at all.”

“How do you usually deal with pork trotters?”

“Braised or boiled with soybeans,” Sister-in-law Shen quickly replied. “Unfortunately, no matter what I do, your brother still thinks that the pork trotters have a smell…”

“Then let’s change our method!” Ji Zhao snapped her fingers and quickly had an idea.

“Sister-in-law, help me prepare ginger, green onions, dates, star anise, grass fruit, cloves, and wine.” Ji Zhao smiled and asked, “Also, where are the pork trotters?”

“There, it’s in that wooden basin. I’ve already washed the pork trotters.”

“Alright, I’ll teach you how to make this dish now!” Ji Zhao nodded, rolled up her sleeves, and got to work.

First, she added the cleaned pork trotters into the pot and stir-fried them gently.

“Ah Tao, you’re not adding oil?” Sister-in-law Shen asked curiously as she watched her movements.

“That’s right.” Ji Zhao immediately nodded. “Don’t add oil. First stir-fry the two sides of the pork trotters with a small fire, then drizzle it with wine. When the outer skin is slightly yellow, put in the onions, ginger slices, star anise, grass fruit, and cloves that have been prepared in advance.”

After a while, a fragrance filled the air.

Eldest Sister-in-law Shen widened her eyes in surprise. “It doesn’t seem to have the urine smell of pork trotters anymore?”

Ji Zhao smiled and continued to stir-fry the pork trotters in the wok. When the outer skin was completely charred yellow, she added a suitable amount of soy sauce and continued to stir-fry. Then, she added a spoonful of brown sugar.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, this is the key point of the dish I’m going to teach you. Look, after adding brown sugar, isn’t the color of the pork trotters different?”