Gu Xiaoqing first had her aunt watch as she mixed cornmeal and wheat flour at a certain ratio to make a dough, and she also took another bowl to prepare two portions of oat flour dough.
Fortunately, this stuff is produced here.
It might be related to the terrain.
The dough is well kneaded.
The dough is much softer than the usual hand-pulled noodles.
Gu Xiaoqing then began directing Han Xue and Liu Fen to prepare the ingredients and seasonings for various sauces.
Both of them had decent knife skills, but they were not very familiar with each ingredient. Many of them were found by Gu Xiaoqing on the mountain, and some were bought at the town market.
These are some uncommon seasonings for most people.
Primarily, Gu Xiaoqing added these as ingredients to enhance the richness of flavor, adding a unique taste.
Under Gu Xiaoqing’s guidance, three small pots of sauce were quickly prepared.
A small bowl of tomato and egg sauce, a small bowl of stir-fried pork sauce, and a bowl of the most common but complex assorted sauce.
On top of each sauce was a layer of vibrant green spring onions, making them exceptionally colorful.
Just looking at them was appetite-inducing.
While Li Qinghai and the others weren’t back yet.
Gu Xiaoqing made a few cold dishes by hand, all of which were the simplest home-cooked dishes: cold cucumber, scallion mixed with tofu, and cold shredded potato, only vegetarian dishes, no meat dishes.
It’s mainly because it’s not allowed. If it were for business, they could make some cold pig tripe, pig ears, and the like, which would all make good snacks to go with drinks.
Gu Xiaoqing was imparting these tips to the two aunts while cooking.
These tricks, despite their variations, revolve around mastering the taste; everything else can be done.
Just as the cold dishes were finished, the courtyard gate became lively.
Li Qinghai and the others are back.
Then the courtyard was bustling again, fetching water and washing up.
When the whole family sat at the table, on this side, Gu Xiaoqing, along with Han Xue and Liu Fen, had already started cooking the oat noodles.
Big bowls filled with golden yellow and black round noodles were brought up, leaving Li Qinghai, Li Weimin, and Li Weiqiang all stunned.
There are round noodles too.
How strange.
Usually, homemade hand-rolled noodles are flat; this was the first time seeing such round noodles.
According to personal taste, spoonfuls of sauce are poured over the noodles, and immediately, several people could not resist the temptation of the aroma, with their stomachs starting to rumble loudly.
Even Xiao Jie was there, confused, asking, "Grandpa, why are your stomachs rumbling like drums?"
Causing the whole family to laugh out loud.
Everyone rushed to pick up their bowls, gobbling the noodles and sauce into their mouths, savoring the delicious taste.
Initially, they could hold back, but not for long; soon, everyone accelerated their chopsticks’ pace, as well as the speed at which each pair of chopsticks landed on the dishes, it was so fast. It practically felt like they were in a competition.
Li Weimin was the first in line, holding an empty bowl while shouting to Liu Fen: "Wife, another bowl."
As soon as he finished, Li Weiqiang also shouted: "Xue’er, I also want another bowl, and bring one for Dad too."
Empty bowls were falling everywhere.
Xiao Jie, who was gobbling down his noodles, was extremely frustrated, hating how he hadn’t grown up yet. His mouth wasn’t as big as others, and looking over there, they were already on the second bowl, while he still hadn’t finished half a bowl.
His fragrant noodles.
Tears streaming!
Han Xue and Li Xuemei quickly served everyone a second bowl.
Finally finishing a round, everyone’s stomachs were round and full.
Gu Xiaoqing, Li Xuemei, Han Xue, Liu Fen, and Gu Xiaoying finally brought up their bowls, as in rural areas, space is limited, and there weren’t enough tables, so they had to eat last.
The few of them sat down at the table.
The big men sat on the steps under the eaves, lighting cigarettes.
Li Weimin patted his extremely satisfied stomach, still savoring the earlier noodles, truly an endless aftertaste.
If it weren’t not allowed, he would still like to try other flavored noodles with different sauces. The taste is indeed extraordinary. Compared to homemade hand-rolled noodles, these noodles not only have a great texture, being chewy and smooth with no gritty texture from the cornmeal, but the oat noodles didn’t have the usual bitterness either.
Adding those flavorful sauces, it was really delicious.
It’s not like it’s so good you’d want to swallow your tongue, but at least it makes one want to savor it, wanting to eat it again next time.
That’s the essence of doing business.
Li Weimin had already detected this business opportunity.
If others were to taste it, no need to say more.
"Dad, these noodles are really delicious!"
Li Qinghai also nodded, indeed, having lived so long, he couldn’t say he’s seen a lot, but he has tasted some banquets. Today’s noodles from the son-in-law’s house might not be the most exquisite cuisine, but the taste leaves a particular lingering impression.
It really is delicious!
Han Xue and Liu Fen were stunned as soon as they tasted these noodles.
Initially, they didn’t think much of the noodles, thinking probably it’s just the noodle making machine that felt novel. After all, anyone can make noodles.
But these round noodles, at most, seem novel, yet novelty can’t last long.
Initially, there was some disappointment; in their hearts, perhaps they were misled by Li Weimin’s awe of Gu Xiaoqing’s cooking, thinking Gu Xiaoqing had some skills.
In reality, upon seeing, after all, he was just a twelve-year-old child, no matter how good, how delicious could he make it.
So, saying they’re not disappointed would be false.
But couldn’t complain either.
But as soon as they tasted it, they realized these noodles indeed had their unique flavor, not just the texture of the noodles, but also the aroma and deliciousness of the sauce, which is the best part of capturing people’s taste buds.
The combination of the two elements really gives an incredible taste.
Unexpectedly good.
It’s an endless aftertaste.
Finally, Liu Fen spoke: "Xiaoqing, what are these noodles called? I noticed your noodle pressing machine was quite particular, something we haven’t seen here."
Gu Xiaoqing swallowed the food in her mouth before saying: "These are called He Lao noodles, and the machine is called a He Lao bed, which I specially ordered for you. There are three sets made, two for you to take back, and one for our family to use. Of course, we won’t make these He Lao noodles, at most, we’ll just make them for ourselves to eat."
This calmed the aunts’ concerns.
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Merry Christmas, the wishes came late, but I hope everyone still has fun.