usatvline Chapter 26 Golden Corn Fritters!
Chapter 26 Golden Corn Fritters!
Chapter 26 Golden Corn Fritters!
"How beautiful the beads are!"
The little ox tiptoed closer, reaching out its chubby little hand to try and pick at it. "Is it made of gold?"
"More precious than gold."
Su Mu tossed the husked ear of corn into the bamboo basket. "If this stuff is grown well, the yield per acre is—"
He paused, then didn't continue.
If I told them, I'd scare these Tang Dynasty natives to death.
"Alright, stop looking."
Su Mu kicked over a small stool. "Sit down and peel it."
Li Lizhi was stunned.
She is Princess Chang Le!
I could tolerate her washing dishes and peeling garlic, but now she's making her sit in this dilapidated yard peeling some unknown crop?
"That one—Su Mu."
Li Lizhi nervously clutched the corncob in her hand, trying to steer the conversation toward something more serious, "Yesterday's thing—the method of making ice with stones—"
Su Mu didn't even raise his head; his hands moved swiftly, producing a constant sizzling sound.
"Want to learn?"
Li Lizhi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly nodded: "This method is miraculous, if it can be used—"
"I'll tell you after you've peeled this whole basket," Su Mu interrupted her, pointing to the huge pile that weighed at least fifty pounds.
Li Lizhi:
This person definitely did it on purpose!
But then she thought of her father's earnest gaze before she left, and her own unbearably hot bedchamber.
Li Lizhi gritted her teeth, lifted her skirt, and plopped down on the tiny stool that was no bigger than the palm of her hand.
"Fine, I'll peel it!"
She imitated Su Mu, grabbing the top leaf and tearing it down forcefully.
This job looks simple, but you only realize how difficult it is once you start doing it.
The bracts were tightly wrapped and incredibly resilient.
Li Lizhi's pampered fingers, which had only ever held a pen, ink, or zither strings, turned red at the tips after peeling just two pieces.
Especially breaking off the stem at the bottom at the end is particularly difficult.
"Oh dear!" Little Sizi was also busy nearby.
The little girl couldn't move the big stool, so she plopped down on the ground, holding a corncob thicker than her arm in her arms, grimacing as she struggled against the leaves.
"This outfit is so hard to take off!"
The little girl's face turned bright red, and she gripped her hands tightly, pulling with all her might to both sides.
"Sizzle!"
Using too much force, the leaf was torn off, but the little body also lost its balance and tumbled backward with a thud, landing on its back.
He was still clutching the spoils of war tightly in his hand.
"Hahaha!"
Su Mu looked at the little turtle with its shell flipped over and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He reached out and picked up the little ox, then patted the dirt off her bottom: "You're too weak. Go and clean up your whiskers over there, don't make a mess here."
The little ox wasn't annoyed. It got up and started using the tassels on the corn cob as a new toy, pulling them off one by one while making little noises.
Only the crackling sound of withered leaves tearing remained in the yard.
Li Lizhi found it easier and easier to peel the skin.
At first I took care of my nails, but later I just stopped caring about them.
Although this repetitive work is tiring, it unexpectedly brings peace of mind.
Watching the golden, plump ears of corn pile higher and higher in the bamboo basket, I felt a strange sense of accomplishment.
And this stuff smells really good.
It's not the kind of pollen scent; it's a pure, sweet aroma with an earthy feel. The moment you peel it open, the raw, juicy smell hits your nostrils.
"What exactly is this thing?" Li Lizhi shook her aching wrist and couldn't help but ask again.
Su Mu glanced at the nearly empty sack and nodded in satisfaction.
"That's called hope."
He got up and carried the basket of golden spoils to the well to wash them.
"As for your question about ice-making methods—"
While washing the corn, Su Mu casually said, "The principle is very simple; that stone is called saltpeter."
Li Lizhi immediately perked up her ears and even stopped what she was doing.
"When saltpeter comes into contact with water, it absorbs heat from the water."
Su Mu didn't hide anything. Anyway, once the secret was out, it wasn't really a secret. "When the heat is gone, the water naturally turns into ice. After the water freezes, boil the saltpeter water dry, and the powder that comes out can still be used."
Li Lizhi was completely confused.
What absorbs heat? What is released?
But that didn't stop her from memorizing it by rote.
"Saltpeter—absorbing heat when it comes into contact with water—" she repeated to herself twice, afraid of forgetting a single word.
"Got it?" Su Mu turned around and glanced at her.
Li Lizhi nodded solemnly: "I've got it."
"It's no use writing it down."
Su Mu poured cold water on the idea, saying, "Saltpeter is strictly controlled; it's the catalyst for gunpowder, and most people can't get their hands on it. Only your family is so wealthy that you can afford to use it to make ice."
Li Lizhi blushed.
The Emperor did indeed want to bring this method under the control of the court, but he didn't expect this person to be so insightful.
"Alright, the wages have been paid, now it's time to provide meals."
Su Mu stood the washed corn cobs upright on the cutting board.
The kitchen knife in my hand was replaced with a thinner one.
The blade cut cleanly down along the base of the corn kernel.
rustling.
Rows and rows of corn kernels fell off, golden beads scattered all over the cutting board, revealing the white cob inside.
The knife skills were extremely steady; each kernel of corn retained its complete shape without any hard stems.
Little Sizi had long since thrown away the whiskers in his hand and was now lying on the edge of the stove, standing on tiptoe to watch.
"It turned into golden beans!" The little girl's eyes sparkled, and she reached out to grab one and stuff it into her mouth.
"It tastes earthy raw, don't eat it." Su Mu slapped her hand away.
The chopped corn kernels were put into a large bowl, two eggs were cracked in, half a bowl of white starch was poured in, and a large spoonful of freshly rendered lard was added.
The chopsticks stirred rapidly.
Each kernel of corn was coated with egg liquid and starch, becoming sticky and shiny.
Remove from heat.
This time, instead of deep-frying, we'll pan-fry it.
Brush a thick layer of oil on the bottom of the pot and heat it up.
Su Mu picked up the basin and poured the mixture into the pot. He quickly spread it out and pressed it down with a spatula.
Sizzle—!
As the batter came into contact with the hot oil, a unique aroma instantly rose up.
It was the aroma of grains caramelized by oil, mixed with the umami of eggs, and an extremely rich sweetness.
This sweetness is very strong, unlike honey; it's a grainy sweetness that makes you feel reassured just by smelling it.
Li Lizhi's nose twitched.
She had eaten countless delicacies in the palace, but even the flatbread from the Western Regions could not match this pure fragrance.
My arm, which was sore from peeling corn earlier, doesn't seem to hurt as much now.
Su Mu turned down the heat, covered the pot, and simmered it for a while.
Let the starch slurry solidify, binding the scattered corn kernels together into a large pancake.
I figured it was about time, so I opened the lid.
Golden and shiny!
The whole pancake looked like a golden full moon lying on the bottom of a black pot, with its edges already browned and curled up.
But it's not over yet.
Su Mu poured another ring of hot oil into the pot.
As the oil temperature rises, the bottom of the pancakes crackles and pops. This is to make them crispier.
Finally, it's ready to serve.
The huge cornbread was slid perfectly into the bamboo winnowing basket.
Su Mu grabbed a handful of white sugar and flicked his wrist.
The snow-white frosting fell gently, covering the golden, piping hot corn kernels, instantly melting half of it into glistening syrup that clung to each "golden bean."
"Golden corn fritters, all done."
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