Food Intelligence King

Chapter 198 Dumplings for Every Solar Term, Grandma Tao Tao's Secret Recipe

the next day.

At 7:30, Chen Zhou updated the intelligence.

First of all——

【Flavors of the Four Seasons】: As the fierce north wind sweeps away the last leaf from the branch, and as the calendar quietly turns to the "Beginning of Winter" page, people's stomachs begin to yearn for a warm ritual unique to this solar term. This ritual is a dialogue with winter that unfolds between the lips and teeth—a plate of dumplings for the Beginning of Winter.

As is customary, with flavors to be enjoyed in all four seasons, let's start with some culinary news.

However, this is the first time a common-level intelligence entry with its own name has been refreshed.

Chen Zhou could only say that reading the text version wasn't a loss.

However, in areas north of the Yellow River, there are countless occasions for eating dumplings during various festivals and solar terms.

It's not just about the Beginning of Winter.

If you don't know what to eat, dumplings are always a good choice.

Just from the old sayings that Chen Zhou knew, there were many:

If you don't eat dumplings on the day of Lidong (the beginning of winter), your ears will freeze off and no one will care.
And similar phrases: dumplings on the first day of the dog days, noodles on the second; dumplings on the first day of the lunar new year, noodles on the second; dumplings before boarding the train, noodles after boarding.
The old saying goes, "My mouth is stuffed full of dumplings."

Chen Zhou also keenly observed the diners' preferences regarding the character "Lao Hua".

The basic qualities of a food information provider.

Of course, this was the first time dumplings had been included in Chen Zhou's daily diet as a formal delicacy.

It is necessary to make preparations in accordance with the solar terms.

What is meant to come will eventually come.

The shop currently offers pork and scallion filling, as well as a three-ingredient filling of chives, which can be almost entirely substituted into the dumplings.

It's like just changing the filling wrapper.

The method of making dumplings is not difficult. After all, if it can be listed as a must-eat during the season, then every household must know how to make them. For family gatherings, children may start by rolling out the dough.

Then came the second piece of intelligence—

[Diner's Update (Rare)]: Grandma Tao Tao also has a recipe for crispy fried fish that tastes quite good. If you ask her for the recipe, she will be happy to teach you.

How fresh.

How could my mom not be willing to teach me?

After seeing the intelligence, Chen Zhou felt like laughing for some reason.

It seems even his own mother had a backup plan.

She probably never imagined that her son would later work in the catering industry.

Chen Zhou did remember that his mother used to be very good at frying fish; back then, the aroma of frying fish would fill the whole neighborhood.

But ever since Chen Zhou brought Tao Tao home for dinner, she hasn't fried anything again.

Because it uses ribbonfish, although the taste is delicious, it has too many small bones.

She was afraid of choking her precious granddaughter.

Actually, once it's completely fried until crispy, it's perfectly fine for adults to eat.

Whether I cook it myself in the future or get a recipe from the community canteen.

These are all very good.

Chen Zhou thought to himself: Then I'll just cooperate with my mom and go through the motions.

But judging from the way Grandma Tao Tao appeared in the diners' posts, she seems to want to come over.

Chen Zhou also paid a little attention and checked the next piece of intelligence—

The final "Market News" section contained a promotional message.

About Tuanyuanfu Supermarket.

This supermarket is a familiar sight. Even its name is quite symbolic.

Chen Zhou did some mental calculations and realized he really should go home.

This also saves the elderly couple the trouble of going out.

Friday is the start of winter, so I can go home and have dumplings with everyone.

In summary, there isn't much information to focus on in this intelligence report. The plan for the next few days is simply to focus on running the business steadily and then go home for a trip before the start of winter.

Of course, the community canteen will also serve dumplings on the day of Lidong (the beginning of winter).

After reviewing the intelligence, Chen Zhou adjusted the menu for Friday and discussed it with the staff.

I also listened to everyone discuss for a while the different solar terms for eating dumplings.

The upcoming winter solstice is also the actual day.

After winter arrives, the frequency of eating dumplings increases significantly, and that's before even counting the Lunar New Year.

Over the next two days, the store introduced tomato soup dumplings.

It really brought some novel experiences to the customers.

Aside from the residents around the neighborhood, the online account "Ren Dan Ru Ju" (meaning "gentle and unassuming") gained a small amount of popularity because of the tomato soup dumplings.

This thing is indeed quite rare:
"These little soup dumplings look really good. It's the first time I've seen them like this. I want to try them!"
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"You know what, you really have to admit, it tastes sweet and sour."
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"Everything can be wrapped in a bun. This time it's tomato and beef brisket, what will it be next? [Curious]"

Some people have put their ideas into practice:

"I'm already looking at train tickets to Haibin City. I heard they offer food subsidies there?"
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"Locals warn that the coupons are available in limited quantities and need to be claimed quickly."
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"It's a shame that community canteens aren't included in the subsidy program. @HaibinCultureTourism"

Customers who frequently dine at the community canteen often look forward to the dumplings served on the day of Lidong (the beginning of winter).

Zihan's mother: "The first plate of dumplings for the Beginning of Winter!"

I'm not a foodie: "I have to try this."

The dumplings did not disappoint.

Although the filling is not much different from that of steamed buns, it is precisely because they are not much different that they taste good.

The only difference is that the dumplings are made with unleavened dough and are boiled in water.

This makes the dough more moist than the steamed bun.

The soup soaking process makes the dumpling skin soft and chewy with only a slight elasticity.

The lips feel incredibly smooth when touched.

Let them cool slightly, then gently separate them to prevent them from sticking together.

When you bite down on it again, you'll feel more chewiness.

The dough bounced back slightly, tightly wrapping the filling inside.

Once this thin barrier is bitten through.

The broth from the dumpling filling also flowed into my mouth.

Next comes the familiar taste provided by the filling.

Finally, as it slowly slides down your throat, that slight soothing sensation is the last comfort left by the dumpling skin.

The first meal of dumplings in winter was also served at the community canteen, where they successfully completed their mission.

Ms. Lin and Chen Taotao both took the day off today and came over at noon to wait for Chen Zhou to go back to his grandparents' house together.

But the mother and daughter didn't expect so many people to come and eat dumplings today.

Knowing that they would inevitably have dumplings that night, Chen Zhou didn't specifically set aside any for his wife and children.

So Ms. Lin took a quick look and then prepared to turn around and take her child upstairs.

Chen Taotao held her mother's hand and said, "Mom, I want to eat dumplings too."

After hearing this, the elderly mother presented her daughter with a multiple-choice question:
"So, would you like to eat at the shop for lunch, or go to your grandparents' house for dinner? It's all dumplings."

Chen Taotao felt she could have them all:

"Then I'll have different fillings for lunch and dinner!"

The little girl's life experience is still somewhat immature; she doesn't know there are so many old sayings about dumplings, nor does she know that she will have many opportunities to eat dumplings in the future.

The elderly mother naturally agreed.

He took his daughter and headed back into the store.

Chen Zhou then smiled and reminded her:
"Tomorrow morning, the leftover dumplings can be fried again, and you can have dumplings for three meals."

(End of this chapter)