Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 297 The cold is getting stronger, how can we have hot pot without it

On the streets of Chang'an, the Yu Yu family's tavern has become famous in this prosperous era.

Yu Yu looked at the increasingly cold weather outside the window, and suddenly an idea came to her mind: this cold weather and hot pot must be a perfect match.

"Mom, now that we have a coal stove, how about we make some hot pot and sell it?" Yuyu said excitedly to Xiaoyu.

Xiaoyu smiled and said, "That's a good idea, but I don't know how to make the hot pot."

At this time, Li Hao came back from outside. After hearing what they said, he nodded and said, "I think it's okay. Those high-ranking officials like new things. This hot pot might become popular."

As the family was discussing, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, who were guarding Zuixianlou, walked in.

Although these two men are the sons of ministers, they are particularly concerned about Yu Yu's tavern.

"Yu Yu, what's new?" Cheng Chumo asked casually.

When Yuyu mentioned the idea of ​​hot pot, Cheng Chumo's eyes lit up: "That's great! Eating hot food in winter will definitely be popular."

Qin Huaidao also agreed: "That's right, it's just that the ingredients and the base of the pot need to be carefully considered."

Ah Fu, who was washing vegetables nearby, interrupted, "I heard some places use bone broth as the base for hot pot, and it's very fragrant."

Ah Cai was wiping the table at the side and rolled his eyes at Ah Fu: "You know so much, but I don't know if it's easy or not."

Chef Mi walked out of the kitchen and said confidently, "How difficult is this? I have a few secret seasonings here. Combined with fresh ingredients, I can definitely make a delicious hot pot base."

Without delay, Yu Yu's family and his friends started to prepare.

Ah Fu and Ah Cai went to buy ingredients for hot pot.

After a while, they returned to the tavern, carrying large and small bags of food, chatting and laughing all the way.

As soon as I walked in, Yuyu came to greet me and said with a smile, "You guys are back! I've been waiting for you. Let me see what good things you bought."

Ah Fu put the bag on the ground, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "Yuyu, you don't know, there are so many people at this market. It took us a lot of effort to buy everything."

Ah Cai echoed, "Yes, and we put a lot of effort into buying the freshest ingredients."

Xiaoyu came out of the kitchen and saw the ingredients she had bought. She nodded with satisfaction and said, "Thank you for your hard work. These ingredients look delicious."

Chef Mi also came out, squatted down and looked at the ingredients, with a hint of joy in his eyes: "Well, with these, I can make a delicious hot pot."

Yuyu clapped her hands excitedly and said, "Let's get started. I can't wait to taste this hot pot."

So, everyone worked together to sort and organize the ingredients, preparing to start making the hot pot that was about to become a craze on the streets of Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty.

Xiaoyu stood in the middle of the kitchen, directing everyone, "Afu, wash these greens, cabbages, and radishes, and place the mutton, beef, and fish fillets separately from the vegetables."

"Acai, you have to cut these meat slices thinly. This is the key to hot pot. It tastes better when it is cut well."

Ah Fu responded and deftly took all kinds of vegetables to the basin of water beside him and started washing them. The fresh and tender leaves tossed up and down in the water.

Acai picked up a sharp kitchen knife and carefully placed the mutton on the chopping board. His eyes were focused, and the knife in his hand rose and fell, and slices of mutton as thin as cicada wings gradually piled up.

Yuyu watched curiously from the side, occasionally picking up a piece of cut meat and looking at it against the light, exclaiming in amazement: "Acai, your knife skills are really getting better and better! This piece of meat is so cut that it will melt in your mouth."

Chef Mi watched everyone busy at the side, giving some instructions from time to time. The fire on the stove was already burning, the water in the pot began to boil slightly, and the whole kitchen was filled with a lively and warm atmosphere.

The cold winter is also kept out of the door, waiting for the hot pot feast to begin, adding a unique touch of fireworks to the time of the Tang Dynasty.

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao saw that Ah Fu and Ah Cai were busy, so they rolled up their sleeves and walked forward, saying, "Let's help too."

Li Hao quickly waved his hand and said with a smile, "No, no, you two can just rest and warm up by the fire. We are experienced and can do this job quickly. Besides, we will be eating hot pot soon, so just wait and try it."

Cheng Chumo wanted to insist, but Qin Huaidao pulled him back: "Since Li Hao said so, let's not make trouble. It's not bad to wait and eat the ready-made food."

The two of them walked to the charcoal brazier nearby, stretched out their hands to warm themselves by the fire, but kept glancing towards the busy crowd. They were infected by the lively and warm scene, and were looking forward to the hot pot that was about to be served, wondering what this fresh food that they had never tasted before would taste like.

Ah Cai neatly cut the last piece of meat and placed it neatly on the plate. He breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay, now all the ingredients are ready."

Yu Yu clapped her hands excitedly: "I can finally eat hot pot!" and went to get the pot.

Cheng Chumo asked doubtfully, "Just eat it right now? Don't you need to cook it?"

Li Hao walked over with a smile, holding a special hot pot seasoning in his hand: "Of course not, this hot pot is to put these cut ingredients in a pot with a prepared soup base and eat them."

Qin Huaidao came closer curiously: "This is quite novel. I've never seen it eaten this way before."

Xiaoyu also explained with a smile: "This soup base is made by simmering large bones and various spices for a long time. The flavor is mellow and rich. Dip the fresh meat and vegetables in it and dip them in the seasoning. The taste is delicious."

Everyone sat around a burning coal stove, with a steaming hot pot in the middle. The soup in the pot was bubbling and the delicious aroma filled the air.

Everyone's face was filled with anticipation and joy, ready to start this unique hot pot feast, and to taste the unique warmth and liveliness of the prosperous Tang Dynasty on this cold day.

Yuyu stood beside the hot pot, staring intently at the boiling soup. He held the chopsticks tightly in his hand, leaning forward, as if ready to pick up his chopsticks at any moment, and kept muttering to himself, "This smells so good! Why can't I eat it yet?"

Xiaoyu looked at her daughter with a mixture of amusement and helplessness. She gently tugged at the corner of Yuyu's clothes and said, "Yu'er, don't be impatient. Wait a moment. The soup base has just boiled, and the flavors need to blend together. Also, we need to add the ginger slices and scallions to remove the fishy smell and enhance the flavor. It's not the time to add the ingredients yet."

Although Yu Yu was very reluctant, she still pouted and took a small step back, but her eyes were still fixed on the hot pot, and her nose was sniffing the tempting aroma, and she looked as if she would not be able to help but rush forward again in the next second.

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, who were standing next to him, couldn't help but burst into laughter when they saw Yu Yu's greedy look.