Food Stall: Customers Chase Me across the Country-Chapter 274 - 275: Pork Tripe Chicken Soup Goes Even Better with Slow-Roasted Steak!
"Boss, are you kidding me? You actually have steak?"
Looking at the steak Wang Fan placed on the table, Zhuo Qianqian was stunned.
Who eats such a heavy dish first thing in the morning?
Wang Fan was puzzled, "You thought I was lying to you, yet you still got out of bed?"
Zhuo Qianqian snorted, "I would have suffocated."
Wang Fan placed the steak, which had been slow-cooked overnight, on the cutting board and sliced along the ribs with a knife.
He picked up a piece, and with a gloved hand, gently pressed down on it.
"Sizzle."
Amidst a barely audible sound, the cross-section of the steak quivered slightly, and with an additional press, it seemed to awaken, releasing a fountain of juice and a rich meaty aroma.
"Wow... it really does squeeze out juice."
Zhuo Qianqian’s eyes widened at the sight of the steak, not only did she see juice flow out, there were even two streams that splashed out! She felt her own mouth water as if it might flow along with the steak’s juices.
He used another hand to easily pull out the bone from the steak.
Then he continued to cut the steak into bite-sized pieces before pushing it over to Zhuo Qianqian, along with a comment: "I never lie to you."
Zhuo Qianqian blushed but her smile was even brighter, feeling that these earnest words from the boss had more impact than any cheesy pickup line.
"Boss, when I have summer vacation, how about going to the Great Border with me? The scenery from July to September is absolutely not to be missed."
Wang Fan, while scooping pig tripe chicken soup, responded, "Sure, I can even visit my future father-in-law. But could you let me know in advance so we can avoid fishing in the desert?"
Zhuo Qianqian chuckled, "I can’t control my dad, you have to tell him yourself."
Saying this, she already started putting a slice of steak into her mouth.
In a Western restaurant, people usually eat steak medium or medium-well, as this keeps the steak tender, while well-done can be dry.
But exceptions exist, and well-done steak can avoid dryness with slow cooking at low temperatures.
Grain-fed beef has a natural buttery flavor. The beef, intermuscular fat, and sinew Wang Fan left purposely became very tender and melt in the mouth after long, slow cooking.
The juice, hidden deep within, bursts forth with every bite.
Though not a typical breakfast item, this steak was insanely satisfying!
Swallowing a bite of steak and then taking a spoon of the fragrant pig tripe and chicken soup, the crunchy tripe, and the firm yet extremely tender chicken, combined with simple seasonings, create an explosion of umami—you realize how beautiful the world can be!
Zhuo Qianqian believed that even the most worn-out worker, once they have such a meal, all complaints would vanish this morning.
That is, until they see the bill and feel their heart ache.
The Great Border naturally produces cattle, sheep, and pigs. While most locals don’t eat pork, Zhuo Qianqian’s family has no such restrictions, which are unrelated to ethnicity. Beef and lamb are their staples, giving her a clear idea of meat prices.
This breakfast probably costs no less than 150 yuan to make.
If the ingredients alone cost this much, how much would it be when dining out?
The pig tripe chicken soup alone would start at 200 yuan, possibly going over 300.
Yet people in Guangfu don’t think that’s expensive; their dining out habits make that apparent.
After a trip to Guangfu, Zhuo Qianqian realized they are willing to spend money on food. Hundreds of yuan for a meal is nothing to them; spending thousands, even tens of thousands, if it’s tasty, is worth it. They won’t complain about the price if the food is good.
The only condition is that tissues should not be charged, or they bring their own.
"What are you daydreaming about? Finish eating and pack up for the hospital."
Wang Fan placed a chicken wing in Zhuo Qianqian’s bowl, seeing she was lost in thought, so he reminded her.
Zhuo Qianqian snapped back to reality, quickly started eating her bowl.
The steak dipped in the boss’s special tangy sauce was amazing, followed by a sip of the flavorful soup—simply perfect.
Wang Fan went to the kitchen, took out the new thermos flask he bought yesterday, cleaned it, and poured another pot of complete pig tripe chicken soup in.
This stirred up the already aromatic van with an even richer smell.
With Zhuo Qianqian finishing her meal and clearing the dishes, they both drove to the hospital.
...
"Old Ai, are you hungry? Want something to eat?"
First Hospital, general ward.
Professor Ai sat on the bed in a hospital gown, a table on his lap, writing intently.
Professor Fu, holding a breakfast bought from the canteen, asked while placing it on the bedside table.
Professor Ai, head down, said, "Just leave it there, I’ll eat once I’m done writing."
Professor Fu scoffed, "If you wait until you’re done, it’ll be cold. Don’t you realize your own condition?"
Hearing this, Professor Ai quickly put down his pen and sheepishly said, "Oh alright, just leave it there. Isn’t that girl bringing her boyfriend to visit? I figure she’ll bring something tasty, a chance to improve my diet. The hospital food always tastes like disinfectant."
Even though hospital food doesn’t taste like disinfectant, it’s purely psychological.
Upon hearing this, Professor Fu looked at the steamed bun just raised to his mouth, and put it back on the plate.
Compared to the cafeteria’s pan-fried bun, this is indeed on a different level, so he decided to wait too...
"When they come, you should really thank them. If not for them, they wouldn’t have discovered your illness. By the natural onset, one foot would have been in the grave. You must be careful in the future; even though it’s highly treatable now, there’s a risk of recurrence if not well-managed."
Listening to the nagging of his beloved, Professor Ai felt a bit emotional. They were always busy and hadn’t sat down to chat leisurely for ages; even when they did, it was mostly about work. How long since he’d heard such caring nagging?
"Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you."
"Click..."
A light sound came from the door, followed by Zhuo Qianqian poking her head in. Seeing Professors Ai and Fu, she smirked and quietly greeted, "Hi, Professors Ai and Fu, we came to see you."
There were not just one, but two patients in the ward, with curtains drawn around their beds, so she tried not to disturb them.
Professor Fu waved her over with a smile, and Zhuo Qianqian gently walked in, followed by Wang Fan carrying a thermos flask and a fruit basket.
