Wang Fan discovered a benefit of running a food business, which is that he can make any type of steamed bun with whatever filling he wants to eat.
Wang Fan had tried many kinds of steamed buns, big and small, from the South and the North, filled with pork, beef, shrimp, and various vegetables, just so many.
Without discussing taste, the only kind that could make him drool just by its appearance is the translucent oil-coated saucy meat Xiao Long Bao!
Xiao Long Bao is not large, about the size of a child's fist, and the originally white bun skin has been partly dyed to a bright brown color by the excess fat in the filling; just seeing it, you know a bite will make oil drip everywhere...
Oh no, just thinking about it makes him drool uncontrollably, Wang Fan subconsciously wipes the corner of his mouth.
It was already 8 p.m. at the time.
"Ding, system startup successful, happy weekend to the host."
"Idle system has been activated."
After sleeping for almost two days, Wang Fan felt energetic at the moment, closely paying attention to every move of the system creeping in a corner of his mind.
The system had already taken control of Wang Fan's body and started rendering lard.
While working, the system explained to Wang Fan, "Adding lard to all-purpose flour is key to making the steamed bun dough soft and fluffy. Even when cooled, this dough remains unchanged. Use 10 grams of lard per 500 grams of flour."
In the beginner cookware, the milky white lard floated on the water, gradually forming foam as the water temperature rose.
Wang Fan's hand holding the spoon was steady as Mount Tai, scooping out the impurities and foam in the pot thoroughly.
He stretched out his left hand, grabbed a bottle of 22-year-old pure grain Bai Jiu Er, unscrewed the cap, and poured some into the pot.
"The white liquor can help eliminate some of the pork lard's raw scent."
Wang Fan observed and listened intently, swearing he had never paid this much attention in school.
The water in the pot started boiling, and the diced pork lard began to flip and fly with the boiling water.
Wang Fan picked up a skimmer and scooped out all the pork lard from the pot.
The blanched pork lard looked whiter and more tender than before, thanks to the white liquor, its pungent smell was also greatly reduced.
Placing the iron pot under the faucet and giving it a rinse, it looked as good as new without needing a scrub.
Wang Fan had seen oil rendering during his childhood.
The aroma of rendered oil from the neighbor's house often made him drool as a child.
The leftover oil dregs were one of his few available snacks.
The system continued, "There are water rendering and oil rendering. Water rendering makes the lard softer and whiter; oil rendering has a slightly yellowish tint but is easier to store. Since we place heavy emphasis on food aesthetics, we'll opt for water rendering."
As the system spoke, it poured some boiling water into the pot.
Then it tossed the just-blanched lard pieces back in.
A few spices like ginger slices, pepper, bay leaves, and star anise were added in small amounts.
The system emphasized, "Host, be careful at this step. Do not overuse the spices as it may affect the color and overpower the flavor."
Wang Fan stared at his work intensely, like a foreman watching laborers, nodding rapidly like a chick pecking at rice.
The stove was set on low heat for slow rendering, while the system controlled Wang Fan's hand to keep stirring within the pot.
By now, a lot of water had evaporated, and the pork lard was beginning to be rendered out, giving the pot a rich oily sheen, with the aroma of stewed pork spreading throughout the room.
The system added white vinegar by pouring it into a metal spoon, then drizzled it along the edge of the pot.
"White vinegar can slightly offset the greasy smell, allowing the lard's aroma to come through more prominently."
Wang Fan felt at this moment the system was like a diligent mentor, under whose guidance his skills were rapidly improving.
If only the teacher had taught like this back then, Wang Fan might have been able to decide between Shangqing University and Shangbei University.
As time passed, more lard accumulated in the pot, and the once pure white lard pieces began to take on a golden hue.
Scooping up a ladleful of lard, it appeared as clear as Wahaha purified water.
The lard pieces in the pot had completely turned golden yellow. Using a skimmer, Wang Fan scooped them out into a big bowl, leaving the remaining lard for later use.
Wang Fan's eyes stayed fixed on the bowl of lard residue, his mouth watering like crazy.
Fresh out of the pot, these lard dregs, sprinkled with a pinch of fine salt, made for the greatest snack that would make any neighboring kid envious to tears.
"Knock knock knock…"
At that moment, a light knocking sound suddenly broke the silence.
Wang Fan was startled, then quickly regained control of his body.
Putting on his military coat, Wang Fan first shouted as he moved towards the door, "Who is it?"
"Wang Ge, it's me, it's me, I'm Da Zhuang."
Da Zhuang was the landlord's child, just twelve years old this year. Wang Fan wondered why he was visiting so late.
Opening the door, Wang Fan saw a chubby boy, standing about 1.3 meters, looking at him expectantly.
Wang Fan chuckled and greeted, "Da Zhuang, what brings you here?"
Da Zhuang giggled, "Wang Ge, what were you doing in the room?"
Hearing this, Wang Fan understood Da Zhuang's intention.
Probably the fragrance from the system's oil-rendering had wafted over to the landlord's house next door.
At twelve, one tends to be a foodie, and with the system's oil rendering being so successful, it was no wonder this chubby kid couldn't resist.
Da Zhuang was a rather polite child, and Wang Fan usually liked him quite a bit. Besides, there was no need to hide a bit of lard residue.
"I just rendered some lard dregs, and you came just as they came out of the pot. You really have a keen nose."
Da Zhuang puffed out his chest proudly and said, "Of course, my nose is sharper than a dog's!"
Grinning, he continued, "Wang Ge, I have some apples here, could I trade them for some lard dregs?"
Wang Fan laughed, "I can give you some, there's no need to trade anything for mere lard dregs."
Da Zhuang shook his head earnestly, "No, that won't do. Mom always tells me not to take things for free. If you don't take these apples, I won't take your lard dregs."
Wang Fan chuckled while giving Da Zhuang a good rub on his round head, "Okay, okay, wait a moment, I'll pack some for you."
Da Zhuang jumped up in joy, eagerly placing the apple-filled plastic bag into Wang Fan's arms, "Just take a bit, Wang Ge. I'm the only one at home who likes eating this stuff—Mom finds it too greasy, and Dad is on a diet."
Smiling, Wang Fan asked Da Zhuang to wait in the yard for a moment, then headed inside.
Not that Wang Fan was unwilling to let Da Zhuang inside, but his place was currently cluttered with ingredients, leaving hardly any space to tread.