The flames burned higher and higher.
As expected,
every meat skewer in Zhao Zimo's first batch ended up charred.
He held up the skewers and offered them to Yan Xiao and Lin Fangxin, claiming they should do as the locals did-all barbecue abroad was black.
Lin Fangxin and Yan Xiao naturally refused the skewers he offered.
They really couldn't stomach anything that looked like charcoal.
After shooing Zhao Zimo aside, Yan Xiao stepped up to the grill and started cooking.
First, he sprinkled a handful of salt over the glowing coals, then laid the meat skewers on the grill.
The salt
helped the coals burn hotter,
while also
keeping open flames from forming.
Zhao Zimo's skewers
had clearly been burned by open flames.
Yan Xiao carefully turned the skewers.
Before long, the aroma of grilled meat filled the air around them.
The children playing nearby caught the scent and were immediately drawn over.
"Daddy, what kind of barbecue is that? It smells so good," a little girl asked her father, craning her neck.
"I've never smelled it before either. It looks like some kind of Eastern food," her father replied.
"Then can we try making some too?"
"Sure," her father said, his eyes full of affection.
With that, the little girl's father walked over to Yan Xiao and politely asked, "Hello, sir. May I ask what seasoning you're using? It smells wonderful, and my daughter would like to try this barbecue too. I came over to ask because I don't know what the seasoning is called.
"It would be wonderful if you could tell me."
"Of course." Yan Xiao turned to the little girl's father and answered, "That's the smell of cumin. It's an essential ingredient-the soul of Chinese barbecue.
"It's just like how you like to use seasonings such