Perfect Braised Beef Intestines

Rice cooked in the small pot while the fish marinated. Zhou Yan first fished out the braised beef shank, beef tongue, and beef intestines the old lady had prepared.

[A nicely braised piece of beef shank]

[A nicely braised piece of beef tongue]

[A perfectly braised serving of beef intestines]

Zhou Yan looked at the evaluations that appeared before his eyes. Since the system had rated the beef shank and tongue as good, they had clearly been braised well.

The braised beef intestines that received a perfect rating had to be the old lady's specialty.

Fresh from the pot, they were glossy red and exceptionally tempting.

"Slice the beef shank and tongue thin. Cut up the intestines, then heat them with a ladleful of braising sauce later. Hot-braised intestines taste better." The old lady sat nearby and directed him, afraid Zhou Yan might pull some stunt and ruin her old braising stock.

"Got it." Zhou Yan answered and began slicing the beef shank.

The cleaver tapped against the cutting board with soft thuds. With each slice, the cross-section revealed dense marbling where tendons and lean meat intertwined, the connective tissue scattered through it like jade.

Braised beef shank did not need to be sliced to the extreme thinness; a little thickness gave it a better bite. The braising sauce had perfectly penetrated the meat, leaving it bright and enticing.

Beef tongue was different. Zhou Yan slowed his movements slightly, and slices of tongue fell one after another, thin as paper and nearly identical in thickness.

Once it was plated, he paired it with a dry dipping dish and a small saucer of thinly sliced garlic. That was the standard accompaniment for beef and beef tongue.

Watching from the side, the old lady nodded faintly, a hint of a smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

This kid's knife skills had improved considerably since the New Year.

The beef intestines were cut diagonally into sections and plated to one side. The old lady ladled braising sauce over them.

Zhou Yan began making Agastache Carp. He had made it once yesterday, and today he found it even more natural.

The old lady said nothing, merely standing nearby to watch.

She liked fish and was also highly skilled at cooking it.

Whether it was braised, boiled, or dry-braised, she could make it look and taste proper.

Although Zhou Yan had studied cooking for two and a half years, he had previously only been able to work as her prep hand in the kitchen. During holidays and festivals, she was always the one at the stove.

But Zhou Yan's bearing today made her see him in a new light.

His knife skills had clearly improved. It was obvious that he had put in the hard work.

The beef tongue had been sliced beautifully—thinner than even she could manage, with nearly uniform length and thickness.

This was not something to underestimate. Once arranged on a plate, it determined the presentation, and presentation was crucial to whether a dish could command a good price.

He fried the fish calmly, flipping it, taking it from the pan, and plating it without breaking the skin.

He had even brought his own pickled chilies, long beans, perilla, and the like. After stir-frying the ingredients in the wok for a moment, the fragrance surged up at once.

"Mm, your seasoning smells wonderful after stir-frying. Sour, spicy, and with a distinctive flavor," the old lady commented.

Once the water boiled, Zhou Yan slid the fish into the pot and simmered it over low heat. Smiling, he said, "This dish isn't on my menu yet. I wanted you to taste it first and give it your approval."

"With that flavor, it can't go wrong." The old lady approved heartily.

He removed the fish first, added the agastache, reduced the sauce in the pot, then poured it over the fish. The sauce was red and glossy like agate, filled with chopped pickled chilies, ginger, long beans, and agastache, their colors colliding in layers.

"Oh my, this sauce is gorgeous. It smells so good too. Looks like you've really figured out Agastache Carp," the old lady exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

"The ribs are ready too. Please bring the two plates of braised dishes to the table and call Uncle and Momo over for dinner. I'll bring the fish out in a moment. Once I heat the beef intestines, we can eat," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"Alright." The old lady carried the two plates out of the kitchen.

Zhou Yan lifted the lid from the other pot. The sauce for the Braised Spare Ribs had reduced almost enough as well. When he scooped them up with the spatula, the meat trembled beneath its amber-colored glaze, and the aroma rushed at him with the steam, so fragrant it made his head swim.

After washing the wok, he poured in the beef intestines and braising sauce. The moment the sauce came to a boil, he took them out. This was hot-braised beef intestines.

"Come on, I'll carry the dishes." Zhou Weiguo walked in, picked up the plate of Agastache Carp from the stove, and headed out.

He used only one hand, and his leg still had a slight limp, yet the plate did not wobble at all. Not a drop of sauce spilled.

Zhou Yan carried out the braised intestines and a pot of rice. The old lady had already poured herself a drink from the bottle he had bought that morning. Looking at him, she smiled and asked, "Want some?"

"Grandma, I don't drink." Zhou Yan shook his head. He did not care for it.

"Grandma, does booze taste good?" Zhou Momo stared at the old lady eagerly and asked with curiosity.

"It burns your mouth. Little babies can't drink it." The old lady shook her head.

Zhou Momo immediately lost interest after hearing that. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the plate of beef and swallowed.

"Can you reach the beef? If not, I'll move it closer for you," the old lady asked with a smile.

"I can reach it..." Zhou Momo picked up her chopsticks, but could only reach the edge of the plate.

"I'll move it closer. You like braised beef, and it doesn't burn your mouth." The old lady reached out and moved the plate of braised beef in front of Zhou Momo.

"Thank you, Grandma." Zhou Momo immediately picked up a piece of braised beef and put it in her mouth. Happily swinging her short little legs, she soon picked up another slice, eating with great relish.

"Zhou Yan's Agastache Carp and Braised Spare Ribs look mighty delicious today." Zhou Weiguo looked at the two dishes in the middle of the table and picked up a rib first.

The rib was covered in amber-red sauce. As he lifted it, the meat trembled, and the rich aroma of meat filled his nose. Unable to resist, he took a bite.

No, it could not even be called a bite. He merely pressed his lips against it lightly, and the meat slipped right off the bone.

The lean meat was tender without being dry, its fine texture blooming between his teeth. The cartilage had been stewed soft and sticky, with a slight springiness that made the texture exquisite. That bite struck straight at his heart.

Delicious! These ribs were truly fragrant!

Zhou Weiguo shoveled down two big mouthfuls of rice, then sucked the remaining half of the rib clean.

The old lady first took a small sip of wine, raising her brows slightly before picking up a chopstickful of fish.

The skin-on fish was coated in sauce. The moment it entered her mouth, numbing spice, heat, freshness, and fragrance arrived all at once. The flavor of agastache rose unexpectedly among them, harmonizing the many tastes into something so fresh and vibrant.

The fish skin was crisp and fragrant from frying, while the flesh remained delicate and tender. Coated in thick sauce, the flavors intertwined between her lips and teeth into the most delicious taste.

Agastache was nothing unusual. The old lady occasionally added it when cooking fish herself.

But Zhou Yan's Agastache Carp today was much better than hers.

The heat control and seasoning were both superb.

After setting down her chopsticks and taking another sip of wine, the old lady finally said, "This fish is cooked well. It would be good enough to serve guests at a restaurant."

"Alright, with your approval, I'll put it on the menu tomorrow," Zhou Yan said with a smile. He picked up a piece of beef, dipped it in the dry seasoning, and fed it into his mouth.

The lean meat was tender without being dry, and the connective tissue was soft, sticky, and flavorful. The meat had absorbed the old braising sauce, carrying a fine chewiness as its fragrance slowly bloomed with every bite.

Delicious!

The braising time was just right. Too soft and it would lose its texture; too little time and the connective tissue would be impossible to chew.

He then tried a piece of beef tongue.

The thinly sliced tongue was soft and tender, with a slight bounce when bitten. It was soft but not mushy, steeped through with braising sauce and rich with braised fragrance. Add a slice of garlic and coat it in dry chili powder, and the flavor rose to another level.

This old braising stock was truly potent. The heat was not overwhelming, yet it was deeply savory and fragrant, with a faint sweetness lingering after swallowing. It suited both young and old.

The system's standards really were demanding. Braised beef and beef tongue of this quality had only received a good rating.

Zhou Yan's gaze fell on the beef intestines that the system had rated perfect.

After being reheated in the wok, the braised beef intestines still steamed.

He picked up a piece, and it trembled as it swayed. The folds were saturated with braising sauce, their reddish-brown surface gleaming with oil. Only old braising stock could produce beef intestines this enticing.

Braised pork intestines were Zhou Yan's favorite, but he rarely got to eat beef intestines. Ordinary braised-food shops generally did not sell them.

With one bite, his teeth cut through the soft, sticky beef intestines, and warm braising sauce burst across his mouth. They had a dense, silky tenderness, and the texture was utterly marvelous!

Numbing spice, heat, freshness, and fragrance exploded on his tongue, while the braised aroma lingered between his teeth. One bite went straight to the soul.

Addictive!

He could not help picking up another piece. He simply could not stop.

These beef intestines had to be eaten hot. Once they cooled, the fat would solidify and the surface would dry out, turning them into something entirely different.

Zhou Yan ate several pieces in a row and shoveled down half a bowl of rice before sighing in praise. "These hot-braised beef intestines are really fragrant."

No wonder the system had rated them perfect.

If he could learn this braising technique, business would definitely be good!

Zhou Yan looked at the old lady with even greater respect. She was a true master of braised dishes!

The old lady was very satisfied with the Agastache Carp. She ate nearly an entire fish, drank about a hundred milliliters of wine, and finished two bowls of rice.

"Zhou Ming is getting married next week. I wonder if the arrangements for the village banquet are all settled," the old lady said after putting down her chopsticks.

"Third Brother said it's all arranged. He hired the same village-banquet chef Old Seventh Zhou's son used when he held his banquet, with the same standard," Zhou Weiguo replied.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yan remembered. Zhou Ming was his Third Uncle's second son, four years older than him. The invitations had been sent out last month. Counting the days, the feast would be held next Sunday.

As a cousin, he would definitely have to help fetch the bride, and he would get to eat a village banquet too. He found himself looking forward to it.

Zhou Yan cleared away the bowls and chopsticks. The old lady would not let him wash them, chasing him outside to chat with his uncle.

Zhou Weiguo sat beneath the persimmon tree, staring into the distance in a daze.

After finishing her meal, Zhou Momo had already gone next door to play house with girls her own age.

Zhou Yan sat down beside him.

"How has the restaurant business been lately?" Zhou Weiguo turned to him with a faint smile.

Zhou Yan felt a little dazed. Scenes from his memories gradually became clearer. That eighteen-year-old youth had once been so spirited when he enlisted with a big red flower pinned to his chest. On Suji Street, countless girls had cried until their eyes turned red.

In his memories, Zhou Weiguo had been even more handsome than he was now.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Weiguo asked with a smile.

"Business is alright. I'm selling noodles and soup pots now. Next, I plan to sell stir-fried dishes and cooked dishes. I'm starting to make money," Zhou Yan replied with a smile.

"That's good." Zhou Weiguo nodded, looking somewhat relieved. "That little brat from back then can stand on his own now."

"What about you, Uncle? What are you planning to do next?" Zhou Yan asked.

"I'm doing fine now. I can grow some vegetables myself, and there's no problem making a living," Zhou Weiguo said with an easy smile.

After returning from the military, his uncle had refused the placement arranged by the authorities and chosen to return to the village to farm.

He said he did not want to burden the country, but Zhou Yan did not see it that way. This was the country his uncle had risked his life to protect. How could arranging him a respectable job where he could use his abilities be called a burden?

"I heard my dad say that your placement eligibility is still being held for you." Zhou Yan looked at him solemnly. "Are you really not considering a state-owned enterprise or a township government job?"

"Looking like this, I'd only be causing trouble for people if I went in. What could I even do?" Zhou Weiguo shook his head self-mockingly.

The wind stirred his empty sleeve, and a trace of confusion appeared on his face.

"No! Do the people sitting in offices really have more ability and skill than you?" Zhou Yan shook his head, his expression earnest. "You went to war, killed enemies, and earned a first-class merit medal. You're a combat hero!"

"Your courage, ability, and willpower are all far stronger than theirs."

"And besides, there is absolutely no work in those places harder than hoeing weeds and farming with one hand. You could do it very well."

"Your new battlefield could be serving the people in the township government or serving workers in a factory. You should not spend your whole life wearing yourself away on that tiny patch of vegetable land."

Zhou Weiguo stared blankly at Zhou Yan. Light gradually returned to his eyes, as though a corner of an eggshell had been cracked open. He murmured, "That's right... serve the people..."

Inside the doorway, the old lady lowered her head and smiled, though her eyes had reddened.