RPAGF Chapter 201 Meal Preparation
Chapter 201 Meal Preparation
Putting the kneaded dough back into the porcelain basin, Xu Congyi stirred the meat marinated in the morning so that the flavor would be more evenly absorbed. Then she carried the porcelain basin to her own space, which had floor heating. What was even more amazing was that when looking out from the window in the space, the scene in front of her was exactly the same as the outside world, with blue sky and white clouds and bright sunshine. Xu Congyi put the basin directly on the ground of the balcony. The warm environment was more suitable for the fermentation of the dough.
After Tang Xiaowu took the popcorn away in the afternoon, Xu Congyi started to make ketchup. It was cold now and there were no tomatoes, so Xu Congyi bought some from the space. The tomatoes bought from the space would do, after all, they were already available in this era, they just had to wait until summer to mature.
She bought six large tomatoes, washed them and drained them. Next, Xu Congyi skillfully cut a shallow cross-shaped cut on the bottom of each tomato, which made it easier to peel the skin later. She boiled a pot of water, and when the water boiled, she carefully put the tomatoes in and blanched them for about a minute. The time was just right, which not only preserved the freshness of the tomatoes, but also created a subtle separation between the skin and the flesh. Then, she quickly took out the tomatoes and put them into the cold water prepared in advance. Under the alternating hot and cold water, the tomato skin could be peeled off almost easily, which seemed extremely easy.
The peeled tomatoes are evenly cut into small pieces and put into a pot. A small amount of water is added. After boiling over high heat, it is turned to low heat and simmered. During the process, it is gently stirred with a spatula from time to time to ensure that each piece of tomato is evenly heated to avoid the embarrassment of sticking to the pot.
As time went by, the tomatoes in the pot gradually became soft and rotten, and the rich fruity aroma filled the entire kitchen. Xu Congyi added the right amount of sugar and salt to enhance the flavor, and continued to simmer over low heat to allow the tomatoes and seasonings to fully blend and penetrate each other. When the tomatoes were cooked until almost no complete chunks were visible, leaving only a thick sauce, she picked up a spatula and repeatedly crushed the tomato chunks in the pot until they became delicate and smooth. She scooped a small amount with a small spoon, and it had a strong sour aroma. The acidity was just right. When the tomato sauce cooled, the acidity would decrease. If the sourness and sweetness were just right at this time, it would be too sweet after it cooled.
As for salad dressing, Xu wanted to try it from the beginning, but gave up after seeing various methods. Now he mainly uses rapeseed oil and peanut oil, and there is no oil with very light taste, so the taste of the dressing is probably not very good.
It was still early, so Xu Congyi planned to make some bread crumbs. She planned to wrap half of the fried chicken in flour and the other half in bread crumbs. Although it was called bread crumbs, Xu Congyi was going to use steamed buns instead. Xu Congyi used four steamed buns left over from lunch, because they were cold and easy to break apart. Xu Congyi peeled the buns and broke them into small pieces. She steamed the buns in a large pot at home, and slowly fried them over low heat, patiently evaporating the moisture in the buns until they became dry and slightly yellow, emitting a faint wheat aroma. Then she let them air dry in the pot, beat and crush them with a rolling pin and her hands, and the golden homemade bread crumbs were ready.
Last night, Xu Congyi went into the space again to take out the basin of bread crumbs. The dough had risen very well. After rubbing the dough, Xu Congyi evenly divided it into fourteen pieces. She looked at the baking pit she dug in the morning and found that it could not bake fourteen hamburger buns at once. She put the divided dough on the clean iron sheet and gestured. It could hold about nine. Xu Congyi planned to bake the rest in the oven in the space. When she went into the space to get the baking tray, she thought that instead of using the iron sheet that might rust, it would be better to use a modern baking tray instead. This would not only improve the efficiency of baking, but also make the finished product more hygienic and beautiful. Moreover, the black baking tray can be used for a long time and will not attract the attention of others. It is really perfect.
Xu Congyi quickly entered the space and selected a baking tray of appropriate size. She carefully placed the dough on the baking tray, leaving enough space between each dough so that they can expand freely during baking without interfering with each other. For the tray that will be put into the baking pit, Xu Congyi plans to put the iron sheet to prevent the high temperature from directly contacting the bottom of the baking tray and causing the bottom to burn, which will affect the taste and appearance of the hamburger embryo.
"Yi Yi, the yellow mud has been dried and can be used!" The voice of Old Man Xu came from a distance.
"Got it, Grandpa. Please help me light the charcoal fire and we'll be grilling it in a while!" Xu Congyi looked at his watch. It was not yet four o'clock. This was his first time trying to use this traditional grilling pit. In order to ensure that the hamburger buns would be perfectly presented, it would be wise to leave more time for baking.
The dough has quietly changed in the warm environment. It seems to have been given life. Its volume has obviously expanded and its surface has become smooth and elastic. Xu Congyi nodded with satisfaction, knowing that it was time to put them into the baking pit.
The reason why she chose charcoal fire instead of open fire for baking is that charcoal fire has a long burning time, the fire is gentle and stable, and it can evenly emit heat, so that the hamburger buns are evenly heated during the baking process. She gently put the baking tray into the baking pit, and then picked up a piece of iron sheet of suitable size to cover it, and continued to put charcoal fire on this piece of iron sheet, and the rest was left to time. After putting it in place, Xu Congyi went back to the kitchen and put the remaining dough into the oven in the space to bake.