Chapter 220: Chapter 206: Passed Down from Our Ancestors

In the kitchen.

“Chef Huang, how do you plan to make this last dish with okra? How can it become the children’s favorite?”

Aunt Lin meticulously washed each vibrant green okra and cast an expectant glance at Chef Huang.

This okra, although known as “green gold,” is extremely nutritious. Its mucus is rich in vitamins and minerals, aiding digestion, protecting the liver, fortifying the stomach and intestines, boosting immunity, and with low oxalic acid content, it has a higher calcium absorption rate than milk. It’s undoubtedly an excellent calcium source for growing kids, offering immeasurable benefits for their healthy growth.

But the problem is…

The kids just don’t like it!

Aunt Li took up the conversation, slightly frowning, speaking worriedly: “Although okra is a good ingredient, its taste is indeed average. Every time we make this dish, the kids just don’t take to it. What should we do?”

Recalling when Chef Wei was at the helm, he really put a lot of effort into making okra more loved by the children.

From simple stir-frying to complex stewing, various cooking methods were tried, but the results were less than satisfactory.

Many children still treated the unique texture of okra with a cautious distance, and some even rejected it.

Now.

This daunting challenge fell into the hands of Chef Huang, hoping he could once again work his magic, making the kids fall in love with okra as much as they did with onions last time.

Of course.

For Huang Jun, this was not an insurmountable hurdle.

When he first learned that okra would be used for cooking, he started envisioning unique dishes in his mind and engaged in deep discussions with the wellness director, aiming to perfectly combine okra’s nutrition and deliciousness so the kids would also enjoy eating okra.

Moreover, as the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, this traditional holiday further inspired his creative spark.

Exactly!

He planned to ingeniously combine okra with Mid-Autumn elements to carefully prepare a dish for the children that was not only delicious but also full of the festive atmosphere.

Chef Huang responded with a smile: “With the Mid-Autumn Festival coming up, I plan to make ’okra lanterns,’ shaping okra into lanterns filled with fresh meat stuffing. This way, while enjoying the food, the kids can also feel the heartwarming atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival in advance…”

“Okra lanterns?”

Aunt Lin and Aunt Li exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of curiosity in each other’s eyes.

Alright!

Forgive their limited knowledge, they haven’t heard of this dish.

But it didn’t hinder their imagination.

Surely, it would be another visually appealing dish.

Besides, with Huang Jun cooking, he had never failed before, which made them anticipate eagerly.

Aunt Li further complimented: “Just hearing the name ’okra lanterns’ sounds so unique; it must be a dish as delicious as it is beautiful! Chef Huang, your creativity is truly amazing, and I believe the kids will definitely be drawn by the dish’s appearance and come to love okra.”

Aunt Lin agreed: “Indeed, Chef Huang, you really put your heart into cooking, not only paying attention to the dish’s taste but also considering the nutritional balance and the children’s preferences. This ’okra lantern’ will surely let the kids enjoy the delicacies while feeling the warmth and reunion of the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

As they spoke, a look of expectation appeared on their faces.

Qian Guoxiang also nodded in agreement.

He also believed that the ’okra lantern’ would become a new favorite on the children’s table!

Why ask why?

Just because of the trust in Huang Jun’s culinary skills!

“Aunt Li, it’s not just about a good idea; this recipe already existed, just with different fillings.”

Chef Huang humbly replied, while reminding them of the next step, “Aunt Li, Aunt Lin, once you’ve washed them, cut along the five edges of the okra to remove the seeds inside. Be careful not to break the outer skin of the okra; that way, it will maintain the lantern shape.”

“Okay, got it!”

Aunt Lin and Aunt Li nodded, quickly getting to work as per Huang Jun’s instructions.

Huang Jun nodded in satisfaction and then turned to Old Qian, handing him the divine kitchen knife, instructing: “Old Qian, take this knife and mince the meat to make the stuffing.”

Old Qian took the knife and immediately felt its weight, which seemed unusually hefty.

He tried a few gentle swings, observing the knife blade slicing through the air like flowing water, leaving trails of light and emitting a low sound.

He carefully examined this kitchen knife, noting that the handle was made from a rare, unknown type of wood, feeling smooth and warm like jade…

This knife was truly extraordinary!

Holding the divine kitchen knife for the first time, Qian Guoxiang couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration: “I never thought I’d see such a fine kitchen knife in a kindergarten. The last time I saw you, Chef Huang, using this knife, I thought it was extraordinary. Now that I’ve got it in hand, it really is!”

Huang Jun smiled and shook his head: “This knife isn’t the kindergarten’s; it’s my personal collection. Old Qian, don’t just stand there, start mincing the meat with this knife.”

“Oh, alright.”

Qian Guoxiang gripped the handle firmly and began to skillfully mince the meat.

With each swing of the divine kitchen knife, the minced meat quickly became fine and even under the blade…

Wow…

What a sharp knife…

Though Qian Guoxiang knew this knife was extraordinary, it was only at that moment he truly felt its extraordinary nature, and he was moved!

He couldn’t help but ask Huang Jun, “Chef Huang, where did you buy this kitchen knife? I’ve always wanted to buy such a sharp kitchen knife too.”

Huang Jun: “…”

I lent you the knife, and you’re thinking of taking it for yourself?

He smiled lightly and said, “Old Qian, this kitchen knife isn’t something you can just buy anywhere.”

He paused and continued, “This knife has been passed down from my ancestors. It seems it started from my grandfather’s grandfather’s grandfather’s generation and was passed down to me, so even if you have money, you can’t buy it…”

Qian Guoxiang: “…”

This knife that’s been handed down through generations?

It looks so new?

Is he pulling my leg?

In any case, he wasn’t sure if others would believe it, but he didn’t.

But Huang Jun didn’t explicitly say it, evidently having his own concerns and considerations.

Qian Guoxiang nodded in understanding without further questioning, and silently continued chopping the filling.

Huang Jun walked to the stove and poured a suitable amount of cooking oil into the pot.

The stove heat gradually increased, and the oil in the pot began to get hot, emitting a subtle “sizzling” sound.

He poured the prepared carrot cubes and mushroom pieces into the pot.

As the sautéing continued…

The carrots and mushrooms gradually released a rich aroma, and their colors became more vibrant.

He skillfully mastered the heat, ensuring they were evenly heated to release their purest flavors.

When the carrots and mushrooms reached their peak doneness, he quickly took them out of the pot and placed them in a clean large stainless steel tray.

Then, he poured Qian Guoxiang’s chopped meat into the stainless steel bowl,

and added the finely chopped okra seeds that Aunt Li and the others had separated, mixing them into the meat.

He sprinkled an appropriate amount of salt and pepper, mixing evenly to allow the flavors of the ingredients to blend fully.

After completing these steps, he set the mixed meat aside for later use.

At this moment.

The water in the pot began to boil, bubbling noisily.

Seeing this, Huang Jun promptly put the prepared okra into the boiling water for blanching.

The okra rolled in the hot water, its green color becoming more vivid.

The blanching process lasted about 10 seconds, after which Huang Jun took them out and drained the water.

“Old Qian, Aunt Li, Aunt Lin, let’s all shape the meat into balls and wrap them in okra!”

While speaking, Huang Jun put on gloves.

He skillfully demonstrated, rolling the minced meat into small balls, then taking a blanched okra, wrapping the meat inside it, and cleverly using the okra leaves to wrap the meat, making it look both beautiful and solid.

The four of them worked in perfect harmony, quickly completing plate after plate of okra lanterns.

Huang Jun placed them in the steamer and began to steam them.

Taking advantage of this gap, he started preparing a light sauce to make the okra lanterns look prettier and add flavor.

He first added an appropriate amount of water to the pot, put in a little salt and white pepper, and as the water boiled, slowly poured in cornstarch slurry, gently stirring until it reached his desired glossy sauce consistency.

At this point, the okra lanterns in the steamer were ready.

Huang Jun took them out one by one, carefully pouring the light sauce over them.

The sauce, like crystal glass, covered the okra lanterns, making them more enticing.

Aunt Li looked at the okra lanterns before her and couldn’t help but praise, “Wow, who would’ve thought plain okra could become so beautiful with a bit of effort.”

Aunt Lin agreed, “Yes, the appearance is really delightful. Once it’s on the table later, it will definitely amaze all the kids.”

Before her words were finished.

A greeting came from the door: “What will amaze the kids?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep