The news that Boss Tong was about to leave still had some influence on Yuan Zhou. For example, when he was sculpting now, Yuan Zhou preferred sculpting some family of three.
However, they were all Fuwa or animals. They were all cute and charmingly naive. As a result, they were more popular with the children.
"Mom, look. This uncle sculpted a rabbit today. It's so cute." A little boy who had just received the sculpture raised the radish in his hand and said happily.
"Have you thanked me?" The young mother stroked her son's head and asked smilingly.
"Thank you, uncle." The boy rolled his eyes and immediately turned his head to Yuan Zhou and thanked him loudly.
"You are welcome." Yuan Zhou felt a little annoyed.
"This brat. I'm still young." Yuan Zhou sighed inwardly.
"Uncle, is this a bird?" A little girl with a pigtail pointed at the Young Swallow Returning to its Nest on the shelf and asked.
"Yes." Yuan Zhou nodded his head. Then, he took it down and handed it to her directly.
"Elder brother." Yuan Zhou suddenly said.
"Um?" The little girl tilted her head and looked at Yuan Zhou with a puzzled expression.
"Never mind. Here you are." Yuan Zhou swallowed the word "elder brother" that was about to come out of his mouth and then said.
"Thank you, uncle." The little girl took the crystal clear radish sculpture and ran away happily.
In just a little while, the sculptures on the shelf were taken away by the children or the girls.
Such situations basically happened every day as long as Yuan Zhou sculpted something.
However, on the next day, after the breakfast time, Yuan Zhou didn't sculpt anymore. Instead, he started to grind the beans. Of course, it was the beans that had been soaked in advance this time.
The inventor of tofu was Liu An, the Duke of Huainan in the Western Han Dynasty. There was also a rumor that Yuan Mei in the Qing Dynasty bowed three times in order to eat tofu.
Tofu pudding was a semi-finished product of tofu, which could be found in both the north and the south. The south preferred sweet taste while the north preferred more salty taste.
Today, however, Yuan Zhou was going to make a tofu pudding that was a little older than the tofu pudding. In Beijing, it was also called "Old Tofu".
Among the tofu pudding in Sichuan, Leshan's was the most famous. Apart from the importance of the tofu pudding itself, the dipping sauce was also very important.
"Zhi Ya, Zhi Ya". Yuan Zhou turned the millstone slowly. While turning it at a constant speed, he added the water mixed with spring dew in an appropriate amount. The water even emitted cold air in the warm place of Yuanzhou shop.
"This water will definitely be delicious when making tofu pudding. It's tender and smooth." Yuan Zhou nodded his head in satisfaction.
After grinding it repeatedly and filtering out the bean dregs, he directly put it into the pot and began to cook.
Yuan Zhou didn't like to use other kinds of soup to cook his tofu. He only used a little dew on the lotus leaves to remove the beany smell. He didn't use chicken soup like many big restaurants, because that would cover the taste of the tofu.
"Yuan, I'm here to eat." Boss Tong's clear voice appeared at the door.
"Auntie Tong, this way please." Yuan Zhou opened the partition.
Yuan Zhou noticed that Boss Tong wasn't wearing the same clothes as in the morning. She should have changed her clothes. After all, they were going to eat in the kitchen this time.
"It's the Tofu Pudding Rice. That's good." Once Boss Tong got seated, she saw the dishes on the table and nodded her head contentedly.
"Humm. Tofu Pudding Rice with a side dish of bean curd soup and beef." Yuan Zhou didn't prepare many dishes.
For the two of them, there was only one meat dish, one vegetable dish and one soup.
"That's enough. These are enough. At that time, even if I only eat the tofu pudding, I can still eat two bowls of plain white rice." Boss Tong said smilingly.
"Then let's eat." Yuan Zhou also got seated and said warmly.
"Yes, it's time to eat." Boss Tong nodded her head and picked up the tofu pudding first.
When he ate, Yuan Zhou didn't pay much attention to the dishes. He just used a big celadon bowl to carry the tofu pudding. The white and tender tofu pudding floated on the water surface and was picked up by Boss Tong easily.
"The tofu pudding is quite tender." While saying that, Boss Tong directly stuffed it into her mouth without any dipping sauce.
Once the tofu pudding entered her mouth, it carried a scorching temperature. With a slight bite, the tofu pudding broke apart and emitted the natural fragrance of the beans in her mouth.
"The sauce is made of bean paste, which isn't very spicy. And there's also the beef mince. Have a try." Yuan Zhou pointed at the two plates on the table and said.
"Got it. Hurry up and eat. The taste is not bad." Boss Tong nodded her head and picked up the tofu pudding again.
"Humm." Yuan Zhou nodded his head.
Boss Tong was used to eating alone. Therefore, she didn't say anything during the meal and just ate silently. Yuan Zhou was also used to eating alone. The two of them just ate the dishes on the table in silence.
The bowl of tofu pudding was eaten up first. Just as Boss Tong had said, she ate up the whole bowl of plain white rice with only the tofu pudding.
Yuan Zhou scooped up half a bowl of rice silently and then ate some beef mince together with the bean curd soup.
The two of them ate the meal quickly. In no more than half an hour, all the bowls and plates on the table were eaten up.
"Delicious. The tofu pudding this time is more delicious than the Pan Fried Tofu last time." Boss Tong said contentedly.
"Humm. As long as you like it." Yuan Zhou nodded his head modestly and meanwhile buried his doubts in his heart.
"I'll remember the taste. Remember to treat me to it next time." Boss Tong said smilingly.
"Of course." Yuan Zhou nodded his head solemnly.
"Alright. I won't disturb your business anymore. I'm going back now." Boss Tong wiped her mouth and then waved her hand and left.
As soon as Boss Tong left, Yuan Zhou knitted his eyebrows.
"Why did Aunt Tong say the tofu pudding this time is more delicious than the Steamed Tofu with Minced Pork last time?" Yuan Zhou had been puzzled about this question since just now.
With Yuan Zhou's current culinary skills, it was impossible for him to make any mistakes. Even if his culinary skills had improved a little, Boss Tong wasn't a professional gourmet critic and thus couldn't tell the subtle difference.
"Is it because of the taste preference?" Yuan Zhou stroked his forehead and thought carefully.
But it didn't seem to be the case. After all, Boss Tong didn't show that she didn't like the Steamed Tofu with Minced Pork last time. Besides, Yuan Zhou was also clear that it wasn't a matter of taste preference.
"Then why?" Yuan Zhou knitted his brows and thought carefully, recalling the difference between the tofu pudding and the tofu.
Then, however, Yuan Zhou really figured out the problem.
"So that's the reason." Yuan Zhou suddenly understood the reason why Boss Tong said so.
When he cooked the Steamed Tofu with Minced Pork last time, although it was also made of freshly ground tofu, it wasn't made for Boss Tong. This time, however, it was specially made for Boss Tong and the ratio of water was different.
Tofu was so simple. It only needed soybeans, water and coagulant. However, the ratio of water in the tofu varied from person to person.
Nevertheless, Yuan Zhou was a person who could tell the taste requirements of the customers at a glance.
"So that's the reason. Only when the taste varies from person to person can it be perfect. Today's tofu pudding belongs to Aunt Tong." Looking at the empty bowls on the table, Yuan Zhou revealed a smile immediately.
Suddenly, Yuan Zhou covered his forehead and laughed wildly, "Haw-haw. It seems that I've made another step forward on the road to becoming the Master Chef."
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