Quick mission: We don't make trouble

Chapter 278 Making Tofu (3)

Zhu Qingqing and the second wife discussed in detail and determined the future development plan of the tofu shop. The more the second wife listened, the happier she became, as if she had already seen the bustling scene of the tofu shop doing a booming business and crowded with customers. Her joy was beyond words, and she wished she could open the shop immediately.

Zhu Qingqing smiled and soothed her, "Don't worry, Madam. Everything must be done step by step. Let's start by making tofu. I will teach you today. Once you have mastered it, you can pass it on to the other guys."

The second wife nodded hurriedly and said, "Okay, okay, I will study hard and make sure to master this skill!" In fact, the main purpose of her coming here in person this time was to master this skill so that she can better control the operation of the tofu shop in the future.

At that moment, Ding Xiang called out crisply, "Master Zhu, the beans are all ground!" It turned out that Yang Wu had only delivered half a bag of soybeans the previous day. After removing the impurities and spoiled parts, there wasn't much left, only about three or five pounds. Because of this, it didn't take long to grind all the beans, filling an entire bucket.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qingqing responded casually, "I understand." Then she picked up the bucket of ground soy milk with swift movements, strode into the kitchen, and asked everyone to gather together and carefully observe the next steps.

Zhu Qingqing said: "The first step in making tofu is to select the best soybeans. Bad ones cannot be mixed in, otherwise it will affect the quality of the tofu. You saw it when I was grinding the soy milk just now. Those soybeans were carefully selected. I will choose them in the same way in the future. Then it is time to soak the soybeans. In winter, use cold water and soak them for a longer time. In summer, you don't need to soak them for so long."

Everyone nodded, trying hard to remember it.

Zhu Qingqing said with a smile, "After grinding the soy milk, we need to filter it first, just like I'm doing now..." As she spoke, she expertly picked up the ladle and carefully scooped up the frothy, richly soy-flavored soy milk from the bucket, then slowly poured it into the white filter cloth spread on the filter rack. Then, she personally demonstrated how to gently shake the filter rack, gripping the edges with both hands and gently and rhythmically rocking it back and forth.

As the filter cloth swayed, the silky, milky white soy milk flowed like a cheerful stream into the wooden basin below. Zhu Qingqing nodded with satisfaction at the smooth flow and said to a nearby cook, "You continue scooping the soy milk into the filter cloth." She then gestured to another cook to take over the task of shaking the filter rack.

With the two cooks working in perfect harmony, the filter cloth kept shaking, gradually gathering the scattered soy dregs in the milk together and slowly wrapping them into a ball. As time went on, the entire bucket of soy milk was poured into the filter cloth, and the dregs grew larger and larger like a snowball, eventually forming a heavy ball of dregs.

At this time, Zhu Qingqing stepped forward, tightened the filter cloth with force, squeezed out the moisture in the bean dregs, and then took out the bean dregs and carefully placed them in a basin beside them. She reminded them, "Don't throw these bean dregs away. You can take them home and add some wheat flour to make delicious pancakes, or steam them into delicious steamed bread. Don't waste them!" Hearing this, the two cooks nodded repeatedly and responded, "Okay, Master Zhu, we'll remember it!"

Zhu Qingqing then pointed to the filtered soy milk in the wooden basin and said, "Look, this is the soy milk we're going to use to make tofu. You two, quickly pour it into the big pot. And, Qiangwei, go light a fire and prepare to boil the soy milk... Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning."

Qiangwei moved swiftly and skillfully, and soon had the fire burning brightly. The flames danced happily, as if they were also anticipating the upcoming delicacy.

Zhu Qingqing stood by, explaining the steps and key points of making soy milk while demonstrating it to everyone. Her gentle voice was like a spring breeze, bringing a particularly soothing feeling. Then, smiling, she asked everyone to try stirring a few times to ensure they had mastered the technique.

As time went by, wisps of steam gradually rose from the pot. The steam spread, enveloping the entire kitchen in warmth. And within this heat, a rich bean aroma filled the air, making one's mouth water.

At this moment, Zhu Qingqing looked at the soy milk boiling in the pot and said to Dingxiang and Qiangwei with a smile, "Dingxiang, Qiangwei, do you want to try it? Does it taste the same as the soy milk you drank yesterday morning?"

Hearing this, Dingxiang's eyes lit up and she exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, so this is the soy milk we drank yesterday! I just thought the taste seemed a little familiar."

However, Qiangwei did not respond to Zhu Qingqing's words. She just stared at the pot of soy milk with her eyes wide open. Her throat kept rolling up and down, and she swallowed her saliva desperately, as if she couldn't wait to taste the freshly baked soy milk.

Seeing this, Zhu Qingqing couldn't help but laugh. She turned around and fetched a few clean small bowls. She carefully scooped some soy milk from the pot, then added an appropriate amount of sugar. After gently stirring it with a spoon, she let them taste it first.

"This soy milk is rich in nutrients. It can be eaten as breakfast with steamed buns, fried dough sticks or pancakes. Both the elderly and children should drink more of it. It is good for the body." Zhu Qingqing introduced softly.

The second wife took the bowl, blew on it gently a few times, and then carefully took a sip after it cooled slightly. Instantly, a satisfied smile appeared on her face, and she nodded repeatedly, praising it. "Mm, not bad, not bad. The taste is mellow, sweet and delicious." With that, she stopped being polite and picked up the bowl and began to drink in big gulps. In a few gulps, she finished the whole bowl of soy milk.

The two cooks also drank it. They didn't expect that the pulp made from beans used to feed horses and cows would taste so good.

Dingxiang and Qiangwei didn't hesitate to drink it directly and said, "This is the taste, this is the taste."

Second Madam: "Master Zhu, can I have another bowl?"

Seeing that the second wife liked it so much, Zhu Qingqing was also very happy.

He smiled and said, "Soy milk is delicious, but don't be greedy, there are tofu pudding and tofu waiting for us later."