She hadn’t had the chance to make the sausages yet; she’d just need to mix and blend them when there was a lull.
It wasn’t because she was lazy, but because in this place, seafood reigned supreme. Meat from livestock like pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, and geese was very expensive. If she used ingredients in the same proportion as in future times, she estimated no one could afford to eat them. So before a new recipe for this dish was developed, it might not always be available.
Next was a vegetarian dish that once had its moment of fame in the future: the Crab Race. It was simple to make, intrigued the diners, wasn’t expensive, and was definitely worth more than its cost. Read full story at novel•fire.net
Of course, since the dish also used eggs, it was listed together with Tomato and Egg/Shrimp Steamed Egg Custard as Signature Two.
Signature Five was Supreme Braised Pork/Braised Fish, tender and flavorful without being greasy, making you want to eat more after you started.
For the cold dishes, she made Spicy/Douchi Cod Fillets, Fried Fish Balls with spicy sauce, Scallion Mixed Tofu, and Steamed Vegetables.
The ten dishes were simply introduced, and instantly, someone impatiently shouted.
"My goodness, just hearing these names makes my mouth water. Bring me a plate of braised pork now, I want to eat braised pork!"
"I want to eat Braised Fish. After eating fish for so many years, either steamed or stewed, I’ve never heard of this ’braised’ thing!"
"I’ll try Braised Fish too, and that Crab Race. What’s a Crab Race, huh? Bring it quickly, and let us broaden our horizons."
The price of braised pork was half as expensive as Braised Fish, so more people ordered Braised Fish.
It wasn’t because they couldn’t afford it, but rather the locals were accustomed to seafood, and such meats like pork didn’t really showcase the local specialties. Since it was their specialty dish, they naturally assumed it ought to be seafood-based.
Thanks to the renovations and today’s grand display, Dao Restaurant on the sixth day of the first lunar month was bustling with guests like clouds.
It wasn’t just diners who had come; many businesspeople from the town had also arrived, drawn by its fame. All the private rooms and halls, upstairs and downstairs, were filled.
Many people who couldn’t get a table could only stand outside and wait. Some of the more impatient even stood in front of tables about to finish, hastening the diners. Xiao Yu found it endlessly amusing.
In addition, their small potatoes were selling incredibly well. Fortunately, these potatoes had already been fried once beforehand. They were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside after being re-fried, and this sped up the process quite a bit. Whether it was for delivery or sale, she treated every customer seriously, with a welcoming smile. Yaya was in charge of delivery, Xiao Yu took care of frying, and she also kept a record.
Nori egg drop soup had been given away to nearly every table, and the response was exceptionally good. She felt it could taste even better - if a few shrimp were added afterward, it would better capture the unique charm of the ocean.
Uncle Zhang found a moment to enter Xiao Yu’s small workshop, his voice choked with emotion.
"Xiao Yu, I really need to thank you. You indeed have the talent for running a restaurant. I’m incompetent; after so many years, I’ve never seen such a crowd. Between you and me, even earning one tael of silver a day at Yingbin Building had me secretly smiling. But look at us now; my ancestors must have been blessed to have me meet a girl like you!"
Xiao Yu couldn’t stand getting mushy, so she couldn’t help but joke: "Uncle, if you really want to thank me, how about we discuss another contract?"
"What contract?" Xiao Yu grinned, "Look, our restaurant has to buy ingredients from the outside every day, which is so inconvenient. What if I hire someone to deliver to you? Not vegetables or fruits, but sea goods, like dried seafood, and fresh seafood. On the premise of ensuring freshness and the same price, could you prioritize the fishing village where Yaya lives?"