Meng Yan's Transformation

"Zhan Yingying, stop nagging. If your dad hears you, he'll probably say my cooking isn't good enough to eat. I'm really tired. Here are the chicken gizzards and chicken intestines. Why don't you make some salt-baked chicken gizzards or spicy chicken intestines? Save some chicken for the dumplings at midnight."

Yunqing took off her apron while speaking.

Zhan Yingying put on an apron and started working skillfully.

Soon, a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was brought to the table - the poached chicken had a tender texture, and it was like snowflakes in the mouth, and the light and silky chicken meat danced on the tongue. Paired with the prepared sauce, the flavors are rich and delicate. The rich aroma of chicken stewed with mushrooms permeates the air, and the yellow umbrella-headed elves picked from the woods in summer bump into the arms of free-range chickens, dancing a waltz of taste. The umami flavors of chicken and mushrooms blend together, the mushrooms are tender, and the broth is rich and mellow. Chicken stewed with vermicelli, the vermicelli soaked with the essence of the broth, the "sizzling" sound, the warmth of the northern New Year's Eve. Salt-baked chicken gizzards are so crispy that they feel like little firecrackers on the tip of the tongue, the "crackling" sound is super exciting, it's like a carnival party for the taste buds. Spicy chicken intestines are fragrant but not greasy, chewy and tender, with a slightly pungent spicy aroma that stirs the heartstrings, and the spicy and strong flavor is irresistible...

But Zhan Mengyan ate it, stuck out her tongue, and shouted, "It's too spicy! Too spicy!" She turned around and scooped a bowl of water from the water tank and drank it in one gulp to relieve the spiciness.

"Zhan Mengyan, you ate such greasy food, drink less cold water, or you might get a stomachache!"

While Yunqing was speaking, she snatched the half bowl of cold water from Zhan Mengyan's bowl.

"Don't tell me, this salad is not only beautiful, it tastes delicious!"

While Zhan Yu was speaking, he took a sip of "Laolongkou" liquor and picked up a piece of shredded radish next to the "Peony Flower" and put it into his mouth.

"Dad, this dish is called: National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance Accompanying Pure Joy. You must enjoy it carefully. It is the masterpiece of Mom and Sister Yingying!"

While Zhan Mengyan was speaking, she carefully picked up a few pieces of shredded radish and put them into her mouth, savoring them carefully.

The family of five focused their attention on this cold dish: On a white porcelain plate, a peony blossom, carved from Xinlimei radish, was in full bloom. Its petals, layered like silk, shimmered with the flowing knife marks, their violet-red and snow-white veins interwoven, evoking the elegance of "golden threads skillfully cut" in the painting "Lady with a Hairpin." The peony's heart, adorned with shredded green radish, its emerald hues reminiscent of newly-opened spring buds, alludes to the elegant sentiment that even newly fallen peony petals can be fried and enjoyed. Around the flower, silvery cabbage hearts, glossy as frost and snow, were woven into the threads, amber-colored shredded tofu and chopped scallions, drizzled with a sauce—homemade soy sauce as the base, homemade rice vinegar as the finishing touch, and a touch of sesame oil like moonlight. This combination evokes the elegance of Su Shi's "Fried Beef with Fallen Petals," yet with a touch of everyday life.

Yunqing picked up the bamboo chopsticks and stirred gently.

The peony petal pattern is still on the plate, and the shredded cabbage is coated with sauce.

"The crisp sweetness of shredded radish, the freshness of cabbage hearts, and the softness of shredded tofu—this is a duet of 'wealth and tranquility' on the tip of the tongue. Just like the collision of 'elegant elegance' and 'splendid seasonal vegetables' at the Luoyang Peony Banquet, the beauty of the land is ultimately no match for the delicacies of this world!"

Zhan Mengyan ate with gusto as she spoke.

"Just this one cold dish, what has Xiao Mengyan said? You are just a flatterer, a little guy. How come you haven't shut up yet when it's so delicious?"