txolops Chapter 82 Tangtang's Help
Chapter 82 Tangtang's Help
"Click".
The key turned, and the security door was pushed open.
Lin Chen pulled the small cart and walked into the rented room.
"We're home!"
Tangtang let go of Lin Chen's hand, kicked off her sandals in the entryway, and put on her own pair of slippers with rabbit ears.
Lin Chen parked the small cart in the corner and closed the door behind him.
He took the plastic bag containing the ribs from the cart and headed towards the kitchen.
"Daddy, don't forget, I need to help wash the big radish!"
Tangtang followed behind Lin Chen like a little tail, struggling to roll up the sleeves of her light blue overalls as she walked, revealing her white, lotus-root-like arms.
Lin Chen placed the ribs on the stove, turned around, and looked at his daughter's eager expression.
"I haven't forgotten."
Lin Chen walked to the cabinet at the bottom of the kitchen and took out a large, clean stainless steel basin that he usually used for washing vegetables and meat.
He filled a basin halfway with lukewarm water, carried it to the balcony, and placed it on the ground.
Then, Lin Chen took three white radishes with soil still on them from the small cart and put them into the basin of water. He then handed a clean dish sponge to Tangtang.
"I'll wash here on the balcony; the light is good."
Gently wipe the surface mud with this sponge, being careful not to splash water on your clothes.
Lin Chen gave instructions.
"Mission accomplished!"
Tangtang took the sponge and immediately moved a small stool to sit by the basin.
She put her two little hands into the water and carefully scrubbed the large white radishes.
After arranging her daughter's work, Lin Chen turned around and went back to the kitchen to start preparing lunch.
He poured the ribs he bought into the sink and rinsed them repeatedly with clean water to remove the blood and bone fragments from the surface.
Next, he filled the wok halfway with cold water, put the ribs in the cold water, sliced two pieces of ginger, and poured in a little cooking wine to remove the fishy smell.
Turn the fire up high.
While the water was being blanched, Lin Chen went to the balcony door and took a look.
The early summer sun streamed in through the glass windows of the balcony, falling on Tangtang's small figure.
The white radish, originally covered in mud, gradually revealed its smooth, snow-white skin as the little girl diligently scrubbed it.
"Daddy, look! It's turned white!"
Hearing footsteps, Tangtang held up a clean white radish and showed it to Lin Chen like a treasure.
"It was washed very clean."
Lin Chen walked over, took the washed radish, and used a tissue to wipe the fine sweat from his daughter's forehead. "Thank you for your hard work, Tangtang."
"Dad will use this one as a side dish. You wash the remaining two and then go wash your hands so we can eat."
"good!"
Encouraged by the praise, Tangtang continued to work on the radishes in the bowl.
Lin Chen took the white radish back to the kitchen and placed it on the cutting board.
At this time, the large chunks of pickled radish used at the stall would definitely not have enough time to absorb the flavor, but he planned to use this radish to make a quick and easy snack for Tangtang that she could eat right away.
He picked up the kitchen knife and skillfully cut off the ends of the radish.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
The knife blade made a light, rhythmic clattering sound on the cutting board.
Lin Chen cut the white radish into thin, evenly sized round slices.
He put the radish slices into a clean glass bowl.
First, sprinkle a little salt on the radish and mix it to draw out excess moisture and spiciness.
After draining the water, he added two spoonfuls of white sugar and a little white rice vinegar.
Because it's for children, he didn't add any chili peppers or ginger.
Lin Chen put on disposable gloves and gently stirred the mixture with his hands.
The radish slices were cut very evenly, and with the help of sugar and rice vinegar, they quickly became soft and translucent.
He covered the mixed radish slices with plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator to cool them down slightly, which would make them crisper.
At this point, the ribs in the pot had been blanched.
Lin Chen took the ribs out, rinsed off the surface foam with warm water, and drained the water.
Heat the oil in a wok again.
When the oil was about 50% hot, Lin Chen poured in the ribs.
"Sizzle—"
The hot oil, upon contact with the ribs, instantly releases a rich aroma of meat.
Lin Chen held an iron spatula and stir-fried the ribs until the surface of the ribs turned a slightly golden brown color.
Next, he poured in the pre-mixed sweet and sour sauce—made with rice vinegar, white sugar, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce.
After stir-frying until the ribs are browned, add enough hot water to cover them, cover the pot, and simmer over medium-low heat.
The kitchen was soon filled with a rich and enticing aroma of sweet and sour meat.
"It smells so good..."
There was a noise coming from the balcony. Tangtang, waving her two freshly washed little hands, ran to the kitchen door.
She poked her little head out, sniffed, and stared intently at the steaming wok with her big eyes.
"The ribs need to be stewed for a while longer to become tender."
Lin Chen turned to look at his daughter's greedy expression, "However, you can try something else first."
He opened the refrigerator and took out the bowl of white radish slices that he had just mixed.
"What is this?"
Tangtang curiously stood on tiptoe.
Lin Chen used clean chopsticks to pick up a slice of radish and held it to Tangtang's lips: "Try it."
Tangtang opened her little mouth and bit into the radish slice.
"Click."
A crisp chewing sound rang out in the kitchen.
Although it was only marinated for a short ten minutes, because it was sliced thinly and salted to draw out the water, the radish slices had fully absorbed the sweetness of the white sugar and the slight sourness of the rice vinegar.
One bite and it's cool, crisp, and juicy. It doesn't have the spiciness of raw radish at all; instead, it tastes like some kind of sweet and crisp dried fruit.
"Hmm!"
Tangtang's big eyes widened instantly. She quickly chewed a few times and swallowed it. "Daddy, this is cool, crunchy, and so sweet!"
"This was made with the big radish you just washed."
Seeing his daughter's happy expression, Lin Chen picked up another piece of food and fed it to her.
"I never knew radishes were so delicious!"
While chewing, Tangtang mumbled, "The uncles and aunties who buy food from our stall will definitely love it!"
"The radish will be cut into slightly larger pieces, and a little chili and ginger will be added to make it more flavorful."
Lin Chen explained.
"Then I'll wash the radishes for Daddy every day from now on!"
Tangtang loudly announced her decision.
"Okay, as long as you don't feel tired."
Lin Chen smiled and patted her hair. "Go sit down in the restaurant, the ribs will be ready soon."
Tangtang obediently ran to the dining room, climbed onto her little chair, rested her chin on her hands, and waited eagerly for the meal to be served.
In the kitchen, Lin Chen lifted the pot lid.
The broth in the pot had been simmered until it was very thick, coating each piece of pork rib and giving it a beautiful, bright red color.
He turned up the heat to reduce the sauce, and with a gentle flick of his wrist, the ribs in the pot rolled around a few times, becoming coated with the rich sauce.
Turn off the heat and remove from the pot.
Lin Chen placed the prepared sweet and sour pork ribs into a porcelain plate, and finally sprinkled a small handful of white sesame seeds on top for garnish and added aroma.
Then, he carried the ribs, took two sets of bowls and chopsticks, and walked out of the kitchen.
"Dinner is ready."
Lin Chen placed the ribs in the center of the dining table.
That small bowl of sweet and sour, crisp chilled radish slices was also placed on the side as a side dish.
Inside the rice cooker, the rice was already cooked and emitted a faint aroma of rice.
Lin Chen served Tangtang half a bowl of soft, sticky rice, then used his chopsticks to pick up a piece of the meatiest spare rib and placed it in her small bowl.
"Be careful, it's hot. Eat slowly."
Lin Chen gave instructions.
Tangtang picked up her little spoon, skillfully held the rib down, and took a big bite.
The ribs were stewed until they were so tender that they fell off the bone with the slightest touch.
The sweet and sour sauce, combined with the unique aroma of pork, bursts in your mouth instantly.
"Delicious! Daddy's sweet and sour pork ribs are the best!"
Tangtang's cheeks were chubby, and her mouth was full of sauce as she ate, looking like a satisfied little kitten.
Lin Chen took out a tissue and wiped the sauce from the corner of his daughter's mouth before picking up his own bowl and chopsticks to eat.
"If you get tired of it, just eat a slice of radish."
Lin Chen reminded him.
"Uh-huh!"
Tangtang took a bite of the rib, then used her chopsticks to pick up a slice of cold radish and put it in her mouth.
The rich, sweet and sour aroma of meat is paired with the refreshing and crisp radish.
This texture whetted the little girl's appetite.
Sunlight streamed through the glass doors of the balcony, illuminating the small dining room of the rented apartment.
The father and daughter sat at the dining table, eating their meal and chatting casually about radishes and fried rice.