Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 378: New Year's Eve Dinner at the Minister's House

As night falls, the Cheng Mansion is brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Cheng Chumo was preparing the New Year's Eve dinner in a hurry with a bit of heroism, while Cheng Yaojin was happily helping him.

Cheng Chumo rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong arms. He stood in front of the chopping board, and the kitchen knife in his hand flew up and down, chopping large pieces of pork into even small pieces with a "dong dong dong" sound, preparing to make his signature braised pork.

Cheng Yaojin, who was helping pass the seasonings, looked at his son with admiration and said with a smile, "Mo'er, your knife skills are getting sharper and sharper. You're quite like your father on the battlefield!"

Cheng Chumo grinned, revealing his big white teeth: "Dad, just wait and see! I will make sure that the whole family enjoys the New Year's Eve dinner today."

After saying that, he put the cut pieces of meat into the pot and blanched them, then poured oil into the hot pot, added rock sugar, and fried it until it turned into an attractive sugar color.

Looking at the caramel-colored foam gradually rising in the pot, Cheng Yaojin couldn't help swallowing his saliva: "This smells so good just by smelling it. I'll have to eat a few more pieces later."

The braised pork had just been cooked and the aroma began to spread in the air. Cheng Chumo turned around to deal with the fresh fish.

He scraped the scales expertly.

Cheng Yaojin watched from the side and couldn't help but give instructions: "Mo'er, the fish must be cleaned, otherwise it will have a fishy smell when cooked."

Cheng Chumo nodded and said, "Don't worry, Dad. I know what I'm doing. I plan to steam the fish to preserve its original flavor and best reflect its freshness."

At the same time, the maids in the kitchen were preparing other dishes in an orderly manner under the command of Cheng Chumo.

Some were busy washing vegetables, some were making dumplings, and the whole kitchen was filled with a busy and joyful atmosphere.

While Cheng Chumo was cooking, he chatted and laughed with Cheng Yaojin: "Dad, this year's New Year's Eve dinner, our family must have a lively meal. In the new year, I also hope that our Cheng family will be smooth and prosperous!"

Cheng Yaojin laughed heartily, his voice as resounding as a bell. "Excellent! Well said! With your kindness, there's no need to worry about the prosperity of our Cheng family!"

With the joint efforts of father and son, delicious dishes gradually filled the table.

The braised pork is bright red in color, fat but not greasy; the steamed fish is tender and smooth, with a fragrant aroma; and the steaming dumplings exude the warmth of home.

The whole family sat together and spent this happy New Year's Eve, with laughter and joy echoing throughout the Cheng Mansion.

Hua Da Jiao rushed into the kitchen and looked at the father and son who were busy working. A smile spread across her face. "Oh, you two are really good at your job! The food smells so good, I can smell it from far away."

She walked over to Cheng Chumo and patted his shoulder gently: "Mo'er, are you tired? Rest for a while, let me come. You, who usually wield swords and knives, are cooking and preparing the New Year's Eve dinner yourself today. You have really grown up."

Cheng Chumo smiled and waved his hands: "Mom, I'm not tired. Today is the New Year, and I want you two to taste my cooking skills and enjoy a good life."

Cheng Yaojin said proudly, "Big Foot, don't underestimate our son. Mo'er's cooking skills are quite good. This braised pork is definitely better than the ones in the restaurant."

Hua Da Jiao rolled her eyes at Cheng Yaojin and said, "You're the only one who knows how to praise your son. But speaking of which, Mo'er, you really put a lot of thought into preparing so many delicious dishes. A lively New Year's Eve dinner with the whole family will really make the New Year feel good."

She turned to look at the various dishes already prepared on the table, nodded with satisfaction, and continued, "Looking at these meals reminds me of the years we spent together. Although life was sometimes hard, being together as a family is the happiest thing. Now, life is getting better and better, so we should cherish it even more."

Cheng Chumo and Cheng Yaojin nodded in agreement.

Hua Da Jiao continued, "Come on, let's quickly put the food on the table, call the whole family, and eat together! In the new year, our Cheng family will surely be harmonious and happy, and everything will go smoothly!"

Elsewhere, Qin Huaidao's home was also bustling with activity.

Qin Qiong was busy in the kitchen, planning to make his signature sweet and sour carp.

He carefully cut the fish with skillful movements and focused eyes.

The wife beside him helped to prepare the sweet and sour sauce. The two of them occasionally smiled at each other, showing a tacit understanding.

The fire on the stove licked the bottom of the pot, and the oil in the pot was smoking slightly. Qin Huaidao carefully put the fish into the pot. With a "sizzling" sound, the fish rolled in the oil, and the fragrance spread instantly.

Wei Shuyu's house was also a busy scene.

Wei Shuyu rolled up his sleeves and was making an exquisite crystal pork elbow.

He put the processed pork elbow into the pot and stewed it. Controlling the heat was crucial, so he opened the lid of the pot from time to time to check.

The elders in the family helped prepare the side dishes. The family happily discussed how to cook the pork elbow, and laughter echoed in the house.

Fang Yiai's family is good at making spicy diced chicken. He cuts the chicken into small pieces and marinates it with seasonings.

His mother was cutting peppers on the side, and the chopping board was piled with red peppers.

Fang Yiai was stir-frying the chicken while jokingly saying, "Today's spicy diced chicken will definitely be spicy enough to make our whole family prosperous."

His mother smiled and replied, "Take it easy, don't overdo it."

At Li Deyu's home, Li Deyu personally cooks eight-treasure rice.

He soaked the glutinous rice and steamed it, then placed red dates, longans, lotus seeds and other ingredients on the bottom of the bowl, and then spread the glutinous rice on top and compacted it.

As he prepared it, he explained to his family, "This eight-treasure rice pudding symbolizes eight treasures gathering blessings. May our family be filled with blessings in the new year."

The family members gathered around, full of anticipation.

Every household is carefully preparing for the New Year’s Eve dinner. Although the methods are different, they are all filled with the strong flavor of the New Year and carry good expectations for the New Year.

In the streets and alleys of Chang'an City, ordinary families are also immersed in the busyness and joy of preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.

In Uncle Li’s house, in the small kitchen, Uncle Li and his wife are busy preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.

The family was not well off and did not have any delicacies, but they still tried their best to make the New Year's Eve dinner more sumptuous.

Uncle Li carefully washed the cabbage he grew and prepared to make a dish of cabbage stewed with vermicelli.

He put the chopped pork belly into the pot and stir-fried it to release the oil, then poured in the cabbage, stir-fried it until fragrant, added enough water, put in the softened vermicelli, covered the pot, and simmered it over low heat.

My wife was kneading the dough, preparing to make dumplings.

She rolled the dough into long thin strips, cut it into even small pieces, and skillfully rolled it into dumpling wrappers of appropriate thickness.

At Brother Zhang's house next door, Brother Zhang was killing a chicken in the yard.

This chicken is raised by our family and is kept for eating during the Chinese New Year.

He moved quickly and after processing the chicken, he handed it to his wife.

My wife cut the chicken into small pieces, marinated it simply with onions, ginger and garlic, and prepared to make a dish of chicken stewed with potatoes.

The potatoes are stored in the cellar at home. Although they are not big, they are fresh.

She peeled and cut the potatoes into pieces, then stewed them in the pot with the chicken. Soon, the pot was filled with fragrance.

There is also Aunt Wang’s house. Aunt Wang is preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner with several children.

The children were responsible for washing the vegetables while Aunt Wang was baking pancakes on the stove.

She poured a spoonful of batter into the hot pan and quickly turned the pan to spread the batter evenly. After a while, a golden and crispy pancake was ready.

The children watched with envy and clamored for food.

Aunt Wang smiled and said, "Don't worry, let's eat together at the New Year's Eve dinner, and everyone will have a share."

Although these ordinary families do not have the rich and diverse food like wealthy families, each dish is full of family love and anticipation for the New Year.

The simple house is filled with the aroma of food. The family sits together, enjoying this simple yet warm New Year's Eve dinner, and welcoming the arrival of the New Year with laughter and joy.