Chapter 101 - Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Mushroom Sauce l (1/2)

Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Mushroom Sauce l

Translator: 549690339

The store was now selling raw sweet potatoes, unlike the roasted ones previously sold, and they were not as evenly sized as the roasted ones. Hence, the selling method had changed, they were sold by weight now, three coins per catty.

In this way, raw sweet potatoes were somewhat cheaper than roasted ones, making them affordable for the general public.

The price of rice, however, was relatively higher. One peck was priced at one hundred coins, significantly more expensive than the sixty coins per peck priced in other rice shops in the county.

Yet, the store employees explained that their variety of rice was different and superior to common rice, being more fragrant and chewy.

The general public would not buy this kind of rice, as their priority was to keep hunger at bay, seeking value for money rather than taste.

The different pricing strategies were decided by Wei Ruo. The sweet potatoes were mainly targeted at ordinary people, and were therefore priced lower for affordability. They would also give some for free to those who were visibly starving.

The target market for the rice, however, was wealthy officials with a taste for quality. Firstly, the rice that she had purchased from Huzhou Prefecture was indeed of this quality and worth the price. Secondly, Wei Ruo had to consider the purchase and transportation cost of this rice, which naturally raised its price too.

As for the mushroom sauce, it was personally made by Wei Ruo.

She and Xiumei had made a big pot of it in the small kitchen at the Bamboo Yard, then packed it into twenty small pottery jars.

Since it was their first time making it in small quantities, Wei Ruo did not plan to sell it in the store but to use it herself or give it as presents.

The next day when Wei Ruo went to the Xie Residence for her class, she gave two jars to Mr. Wang and another two jars to Xie Ying.

Xie Ying held the two little clay jars that Wei Ruo gave her and asked curiously, “What is this?”

“This is mushroom sauce.”

“Mushroom sauce? Made from mushrooms?”

“Yes, you put some lard into the pot, add minced meat and stir-fry until it’s fragrant, then pour in onions, ginger, garlic, and diced mushroom, followed by salt, cooking wine, pepper powder, and white sugar. Stir fry it evenly, then add some soy sauce at the end.” Wei Ruo explained.

Xie Ying blinked in confusion, “I don’t understand, but it seems quite impressive. Can this sauce be eaten directly? I don’t know how to cook, but I can eat. Once I taste it, I can tell whether it’s good or not.”

“You usually mix it with rice, vegetables, or noodles. Eating it directly may be a bit salty, but you can certainly eat it.” Wei Ruo answered.

“That’s fine then.”

Xie Ying couldn’t wait to have a maid hand her a pair of chopsticks. She then opened one of the jars and dipped the tip of the chopstick into the sauce, tasting it.

Her eyes immediately brightened, “Wow, this is really fragrant, and so delicious!”

Xie Ying truly found the sauce tasty, she loved the rich flavors of the sauce that came from the meat and the mushrooms, as well as the added depth from the soy sauce.

“I’m glad you like it. Once you finish it, I can get you more. This needs to be fresh to be good, waiting too long might affect the quality. I’ll make some more for you in a few days.” Wei Ruo replied.

Although it was cooked with soy sauce and covered with cooked oil, stored in clay jars, and could be preserved for some time, modern preservatives and vacuum packing methods couldn’t be used to lengthen its shelf life.