Food Intelligence King

Chapter 21 Professional Photographers Go Online

Saturday morning, at the Happiness Vegetable Market.

Comrade Wang Meng arrived on time, and Chen Zhou noticed that he had changed into a vest and was carrying a large photography backpack.

Chen Zhou exclaimed in surprise, "Captain Wang, you're so professional?"

Wang Meng hung the backpack upside down in front of his chest and took out a camera from inside.

"Hey, I used to have a girlfriend who liked taking photos, so I bought her a set of equipment, but it's been gathering dust for ages."

There was a Captain Wang before, whose romantic history was quite extensive.

Chen Zhou asked, "Start filming now? Do I even need to say anything?"

Wang Meng was adjusting the equipment when he casually said, "Just be natural, do what you're supposed to do, and leave the rest to me."

"Row."

Chen Zhou walked towards the market, and behind him rang Wang Meng's warm and gentle voice—

Every morning, Mr. Chen, the owner of the steamed bun stall, arrives at the market on time to select the ingredients he needs for the day.

Freshness is his most basic requirement.

The camera followed Chen Zhou to Yongjia Fresh Meat Shop.

Looking at the person behind Chen Zhou, carrying a camera and muttering to himself, Old Zhang, the butcher, couldn't help but turn his head and ask, "Brother Chen, who's this?"

Chen Zhou replied, "It was a city management officer who was filming me setting up my stall."

"Goodness, the city management officers are following you around taking pictures!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Jinsheng displayed a rare display of both righteous indignation and amiable hospitality.
"Welcome, Chef Chen! These pork pieces were freshly slaughtered this morning!"

Chen Zhou almost burst out laughing.

"Just be normal, Lao Zhang."

In addition, Chef Chen will also check the ingredients purchased today to see if they have quarantine certificates and quality inspection certificates.

Even though it's just a small stall, Mr. Chen won't lower his standards for himself.

This is also why he has gained the trust of so many customers.

After buying the meat, Chen Zhou went to the vegetable and condiment sections to check for any missing items.

The camera follows the movement.

After filming the market scene, Chen Zhou walked over to Wang Meng:
"How about it?"

Wang Meng reviewed the video and replied, "It's a one-take video, but the butcher looks a bit strange. I'll go back and cut it again."

As the two walked out, Old Zhang passed by and told them, "Come and buy meat when you have time."

Wang Meng smiled and nodded to Lao Zhang.

Chen Zhou did not see any discomfort in him that he had when he first met Lao Zhang.

His professional identity gave Wang Meng the confidence to face any merchant with ease.
Next is the food pre-processing stage, which was filmed at Chen Zhou's home.

Wang Meng exclaimed "Oh!" and asked, "Is this convenient?"

“It’s convenient,” Chen Zhou nodded. “At this time, her mother has probably taken her swimming.”

"You already have a child?" Wang Meng asked, somewhat surprised.

Chen Zhou recalled what the other person had said to him yesterday and mimicked his tone, saying, "You don't even look at my WeChat Moments, Captain Wang?"

Wang Meng scratched his head, "My colleague forwards eight posts a day. There are dozens of people in the company, that's hundreds of posts flooding the screen! How can anyone keep up with them all?"

The two arrived at Chen Zhou's house.

Chen Zhou took two bottles of drinks from the refrigerator and told him to sit in the living room and cool off in the air conditioning. "Sit wherever you like, Captain Wang."

Looking at the warm and tidy environment of Chen Zhou's home, Wang Meng couldn't help but praise it.

This is probably just Ms. Lin's normal level of housework. The house isn't spotless, but it's not so messy that you can't even step inside.

It looks quite clean on the surface.

The two rested for a while, then continued working.

Wang Meng's vocal abilities are even better when performed indoors.

After returning from the market, Chef Chen began preparing the ingredients for the day.

[The shop is not open for the time being, so much of the work has to be done in the kitchen at home.]

This might explain why some customers say his steamed buns taste like home. [Chopping meat, cutting vegetables]

A rhythmic tapping sound echoed in the kitchen.

[When cutting meat and vegetables, Chef Chen used two different sets of cutting board knives; he's a meticulous chef.]

This meticulous attention to detail also ensures food hygiene for diners in places that are not visible.

"I'll treat you to dinner later, I really mean it."

"Thanks, but it really has to be another day." Wang Meng shook his head. "I have a blind date scheduled for noon."

“Your schedule is pretty tight,” Chen Zhou recalled, remembering that he had recently broken up with a blind date. “Where are you going to eat? Do you need me to recommend a place?”

"It's all arranged," Wang Meng replied.

"Then I wish you good luck."

Thanks, see you this afternoon.

For lunch, Chen Zhou prepared to stew the pig's tail from yesterday for his wife and children.

But a small tail isn't really worth stewing. He kept a few pieces of the front leg meat with a good balance of fat and lean.

Blanch the scallions, ginger, and cooking wine.

Caramelize the sugar, then add soy sauce, sweet bean sauce, and soybean paste and stir-fry until fragrant.

Transfer to a pressure cooker and add boiling water.

Salt, sugar, and chicken bouillon—make sure you have the right amount of saltiness.

Take a small handful of soybeans, cover it, and pop it open!
Benefiting from the initial opening of points redemption, Chen Zhou chose the culinary skill. Although he didn't specifically improve his stir-frying skills, his overall abilities have improved.

"Before reaching a professional level, cooking seems to be something that can be learned in many ways."

When the mother and daughter returned, the house was filled with a delicious aroma.

Chen Taotao was the first to rush to Chen Zhou's side and ask, "Dad, what are we having for lunch today? It smells so good!"

Chen Zhou ruffled his daughter's still slightly damp hair. "Do you like to eat stewed Peppa Pig tail?"

Chen Taotao seemed to consider it for a moment.

But I was a little hungry after swimming, so I readily replied:
“Love to eat!”

"Your daughter insisted on running home before I could even dry her hair. She must be hungry." Ms. Lin said with a smile as she carried Chen Taotao to the bathroom.

Hearing the sound of the hairdryer, Chen Zhou continued to reduce the sauce over high heat.

Bubbles continued to bubble in the pot, and the dark brown, almost viscous sauce clung to the surface of the meat chunks and pig tail.

"almost."

Turn off the heat and remove from the pot.

The family sat down at the dining table and enjoyed their weekend.

The pig's tail was stewed at high temperature until it was tender and fell off the bone. Chen Taotao ate it herself with chopsticks without any effort.

"Mom, I want a little more rice."

Lin Yifan also picked out a small piece and tasted it.

The outermost layer is rich in collagen, with a soft, chewy, and elastic texture, and is fragrant but not greasy.

Further inside, the lean meat attached to the pig's tailbone, quickly cooked in a pressure cooker and then reduced in a wok, has absorbed all the flavors, resulting in a salty, savory, and fragrant dish.

The taste should suit the mother and daughter's tastes very well.

Overjoyed, Ms. Lin gave it a 0.5 rating.

To make it easier for Wang Meng to come and film, Chen Zhou concentrated all the preparations on three or four o'clock in the afternoon.

The other party brought some fruit with them when they visited this time.

"You're too kind, Captain Wang," Chen Zhou said with a smile, accepting the gift and welcoming him in.

At that moment, Tao Tao was playing in the living room.

Upon seeing the person, he took the initiative to greet Wang Meng.

Chen Zhou thought to himself, "As long as the other party isn't that scary, my daughter is still very polite."

(End of this chapter)