90 Homemade Chicken Essence (2/2)

Xia Chunfeng laughed out loud. This Li Yao was really interesting.

Helian Jing was relieved now that he finally knew that Mu Qinchu and Yaoyao weren't becoming friends. He said to Zhao Qixuan, ”I never liked that guy. Next time, I won't come if he's there.”

”I only met him halfway here,” Zhao Qixuan explained.

After the three nobles left, Ye Jiayao got off work and headed over to Auntie Jiang's house, carrying a massive bag. Tonight, she was making a very important condiment - chicken essence.

Chicken essence was a very common condiment in the modern days, but it had not been invented yet in this era.

Jiang Li opened the door. He took over the bag Ye Jiayao was carrying and shouted, ”Mother! Third Madam is back!”

Auntie Jiang came out from the kitchen. ”Third Madam, have you had dinner? I made dumplings.”

Ye Jiayao shook her head with a smile. ”I already ate at the restaurant. You guys eat. Jiang Li, help me bring these to the little kitchen, will you?”

”Sure!”

Jiang Yue ate the last dumplings quickly and ran out. ”Third Madam, are you going to cook?”

Ye Jiayao replied, ”Why, yes. If you have nothing to do, you can come help me.”

”Mother, I'll go and help Third Madam!” Jiang Yue called happily.

Auntie Jiang laughed. ”Go ahead, little girl, learn from Third Madam.”

Jiang Li went to chop the firewood and lit up the fire.

Ye Jiayao washed her hands and took out two stone mortars, passing one to Jiang Yue. ”Crush that bag of rock sugar to a powder.”

Jiang Yue happily obeyed.

Ye Jiayao handled the chicken meat herself and tore the chicken breast that had already been cooked and drained this afternoon to tiny shreds. She removed the veins and placed it in the stone mortar to pound it into fine pieces.

Jiang Li was keeping busy with the fire, wondering when should he show the Third Madam the mold.

Ye Jiayao placed the tiny pieces of chicken onto the plate and separated it with chopsticks, gradually adding some fine salt into it until it was the right level of saltiness. She then proceeded to cut the ginger, spring onions, and mushrooms into tiny pieces before placing it in the crock.

”Is the pot heated?”

Jiang Li tuned back in and nodded. ”It's heated.”

”Place some salt at the bottom of the pot,” Ye Jiayao instructed.

There weren't ovens in this era, so she could only do this the old-fashioned way. She placed some salt at the bottom of the pot and placed it on the crock to grill it.

She turned it around periodically, continuing to grill it again and again until the water has vaporized and the tiny pieces of vegetables had become crispy little granules.

Next, she grilled the chicken shreds. When it was softened, she mixed all the ingredients together and pounded it over until it turned into powder. She added some sugar and stirred it all up.

Ye Jiayao put a bit of the chicken essence on her fingertip and tasted it. Yes! It tasted really incredible! Her first attempt at making chicken essence was successful!

”Third Madam, what are these?” Jiang Yue asked curiously.

Ye Jiayao smiled mysteriously. ”This is my secret condiment. Don't tell anyone else about this, okay?”

Both brother and sister nodded. ”We won't speak a word.”

Ye Jiayao transferred the finished chicken essence into a dry container and gave the rest to Jiang Yue. ”Give this to your mother and tell her to use it when cooking soup or vegetables. Just add a pinch in. Only a small pinch, okay? And only add it when the food is almost ready to be served. This would make the dish taste amazing.”

”Really? That's really great stuff.” Jiang Yue carefully held it, worried that she'd spill it.

”Find a dry container to store it in. Don't let it get wet because it wouldn't be nice to use then,” Ye Jiayao reminded.

Jiang Yue nodded. ”I'll go and find a container now.”

Ye Jiayao felt great as she looked at the container of the chicken essence on the stove. This was her secret weapon. Whether she could shine on the Old Princess' birthday celebration not only depended on the Ice Cream Mooncake, but also on this chicken essence.

”Third…Third Madam, I've completed the mold,” Jiang Li said hesitantly.

”That quick?” Ye Jiayao was surprised.

Jiang Li nodded. ”It's done.”

”Well, bring it out and show it to me!” Ye Jiayao said excitedly.

Jiang Li had kept the mold with him so he just quickly took it out and handed it to Third Madam.

Ye Jiayao was amazed at how delicate the mold was made. It was tiny and could easily be opened and closed. The carvings inside were exactly what she wanted.

”I took some flour and tried it on. Do you want to see the effect, Third Madam?” Jiang Li wasn't sure if Third Madam liked it. Third Madam said she wanted it to be delicate so he made it small and dainty, but when it was done, he thought that it was too tiny.

”Yes, yes, I want to. Go get it, quick.” Ye Jiayao was just thinking of getting something to try this with.

Not long after, Jiang Li came back with some flour.

”Oh my gosh, that is so adorable!” This was what she was after! The rich mooncakes would be too filling if made any larger. This mold was perfect to just sate the appetite and the curiosity of the guests.

”Jiang Li, you have such fine hands. I love this mold very much. I have four more sample drawings here, just follow this size and make the other four.” Ye Jiayao cradled the mold admiringly.

Jiang Li smiled abashedly and scratched his head. He was happy that Third Madam was pleased.