Chapter 86

The two types of dried bamboo shoots have slightly different flavors.

The dried bamboo shoots that have been blanched and then rinsed in ice water are very crisp and tender, and taste fantastic.

Without the simmered bamboo shoots next to him for comparison, Qing Mengzhu would think that the blanched and then ice-cold bamboo shoots were perfect.

Now that there's a comparison, Qing Mengzhu discovered that the stewed dried bamboo shoots were both fresh and fragrant, with a flavor similar to fermentation, yet completely different from fermented bamboo shoots.

He couldn't really describe the flavor; he just felt it was delicious. Even if there were fresh bamboo shoots on the side, he would choose the dried bamboo shoots because they tasted better.

After tasting it, Qing Mengzhu exclaimed in amazement, "Brother Zhou, your method is truly brilliant!"

Zhou Yan: "The main thing is that your bamboo shoots are good. You can use them as you see fit and see which way you like to cook them."

Qing Mengzhu: "It's been simmered! No one else can replicate this kind of dried bamboo shoot."

The bamboo shoots produced by Cloud Mirror Bamboo are naturally tender, unlike any bamboo shoots they had encountered before.

Now, after being simmered and then dried, the umami substances are further concentrated, resulting in better quality and a greater difference between it and other dried bamboo shoots.

Once it's on the market, I guarantee that customers who have tried it will never forget it.

If you use blanching, some of the umami substances will be removed during the blanching process, and there will be no fermented taste, which is actually a disadvantage.

Zhou Yan asked from the side, "How much do you want for your bamboo shoots?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Brother Zhou, why are you asking this? If you're eating it yourself, I'll make sure you get enough; you don't need to buy any."

Zhou Yan: "I'm not eating them myself, I'm buying some to give to others."

Qing Mengzhu thought for a moment and said, "If we put them directly into the market, we might put them under the company's brand and have the company sell them on our behalf. They should sell for three or four thousand yuan per kilogram."

Zhou Yan immediately said, "This price isn't expensive, I'll order ten catties first!"

Qing Mengzhu asked in surprise, "You think so highly of our dried bamboo shoots?"

Zhou Yan: "We chefs have a saying: 'Three parts cooking skill, seven parts purchasing skill.' Bamboo shoots of this quality from your family would be a treasure in the hands of any chef."

Qing Mengzhu: "I was just worried that it was a bit too expensive."

Zhou Yan shook his head. "Ten catties of clean bamboo shoots only yield one catty of tender bamboo shoot tips, and then ten catties of fresh bamboo shoot tips yield one catty of dried bamboo shoots. Now, good quality clean bamboo shoots cost tens of yuan outside, so selling them for three or four thousand yuan is not expensive."

Qing Mengzhu: "Then let's give it a try."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "The price doesn't matter. The most important thing is that someone is willing to buy it. I think your dried bamboo shoots should sell well."

Zhou Yan: "If all else fails, we can switch to smaller packages, fifty grams per serving, priced at three or four hundred. Wouldn't a serving of top-quality dried bamboo shoots at three or four hundred be much more acceptable?"

Chapter 86

Both mountains belonging to the Qing Mengzhu family produce bamboo shoots, but the one planted first produces more, while the one planted later produces less.

However, since the bamboo comes from two mountains, the yield of bamboo shoots from those two mountains has gradually become considerable with the help of the Growth Liquid.

With so many bamboo shoots, Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi were overwhelmed. The mountains were too big, and it would take a long time just to walk across the two mountains.

Qing Mengzhu entrusted the bamboo shoot digging work to Zhuxi Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.. Every day, they would help dig bamboo shoots and deliver them to Qing Mengzhu's home, where they would then be further cleaned, stewed, cut into pieces, and baked.

Qing Mengzhu sold the cut bamboo shoots to the Interstellar Mall. After the Interstellar Mall absorbed all the substances inside, he sent them to the grass shredder to be shredded and then used for composting.

Everyone felt sorry for him, but they assumed he was only focused on controlling quality and hadn't considered other options.

Under the cover of roasting bamboo shoots, Qing Mengzhu sold a considerable number of bamboo shoot tips to the Interstellar Mall, and should be able to successfully achieve the sales target of 10,000 Star Coins for this month.

Qing Mengzhu entrusted the production of dried bamboo shoot tips to the company, and the sales were also conducted under the company's name.

The first batch of dried bamboo shoots weighed 200 jin (100 kg), which was divided into small portions of 250 grams each, resulting in a total of 400 portions.

They listed the products on the company's online store and promoted them on WeChat Moments, intending to gradually expand the market.

Dried bamboo shoots have a long shelf life; well-packaged dried bamboo shoots can be kept for one or two years without any problems, so there's no need to worry if they don't sell out immediately.

Unexpectedly, on the first day of its release, many friends contacted them privately, asking them to reserve some dried bamboo shoots.

Sales on the online store were fierce; the entire stock sold out on the first day. A quick check of the addresses revealed that all the customers were from their local area.

Zhou Yan was one of the people trying to grab the dried bamboo shoots. He had to go to work and was too slow, so he didn't manage to grab any. He had to ask Qing Mengzhu to help him get the portion she had reserved first.

After receiving the freshly dried bamboo shoots, he immediately sent them to various old friends, sending the most to one named Ling Dongyu.

--That guy is a gourmand; he often brings people to patronize his business.

Ling Dongyu was overjoyed to receive the dried bamboo shoots. After thanking Zhou Yan, he immediately called his friends, inviting them to his home for dinner and asking them to bring some good wine.

"Old Ling, what good stuff have you gotten your hands on? Why are you being so secretive?"

"Oh my, what's that fragrant smell? What are they cooking?"

"Is it braised pork? I haven't had your braised pork in ages, it smells so good."

Ling Dongyu's friends knew the password to his house, so they opened the door and came in without Ling Dongyu having to greet them.

Ling Dongyu poked his head out from the kitchen. "You guys have a really good nose, but today it's not braised pork, it's stewed pork with dried bamboo shoots."

A friend asked, "Is it the dried bamboo shoots from Pingkou Village, the place that's been so windy lately?"

Ling Dongyu: "Yes, it's the dried bamboo shoots from Qing Mengzhu's family. An old friend of mine gave them to me."

The friend opened the pot lid and looked inside. A pot of pork belly cut into small cubes was simmering in a dark brown broth, with jade-colored bamboo shoots scattered among it.

Steam and aroma wafted up together, fresh and rich, instantly making him ravenously hungry.

He couldn't resist grabbing the spatula next to him and scooping out a spoonful of meat and dried bamboo shoots. Not minding the heat, he pinched a piece of meat and threw it into his mouth, tilting his head back and breathing heavily. Then he pinched a piece of dried bamboo shoot.

Ling Dongyu snatched the spatula and shoved his friend, "Hey, you're in such a hurry!"

Friend: "Wow, it smells so good! Your braised pork is still so fatty but not greasy, fragrant and tender. Mmm, these bamboo shoots are delicious too, so fresh, so crisp and flavorful, how do people make them? I want to try another piece."

Ling Dongyu: "Don't try any more, or I'll have finished the whole pot."

My friend smacked his lips. "The more I eat, the hungrier I get. Is it ready to serve?"

Ling Dongyu: "It needs to simmer a little longer. The bamboo shoots were only put in recently and haven't been fully soaked in the oil yet."

The braised pork belly with bamboo shoots was so delicious today that my friends crowded into the kitchen to talk to Ling Dongyu, glancing at the stew pot frequently as they spoke.

Amidst everyone's anticipation, the other roasted, steamed, and stir-fried dishes were served one after another, and the fluffy rice was also ladled out. Only this pot of braised pork belly with dried bamboo shoots was still a little undercooked.

For stews, the heat must be low and the person must not rush; one can only wait patiently for the broth to thicken and become clear again.

After a long wait for the dishes to be served, everyone ate bamboo shoots stewed with pork belly with white rice as their first bite.

"It smells so good! This dish is perfect with white rice."

"After this meal, I need to go back to eat grass tonight."

"The aroma of bamboo shoots is quite unique; I didn't believe it when someone told me before."

"Crispy, tender, and fresh—how are these dried bamboo shoots made? They're completely different from ordinary dried bamboo shoots!"

"These dried bamboo shoots are good, but Old Ling's cooking skills are even better; otherwise, he couldn't have stewed such delicious bamboo shoot pieces."

The dried bamboo shoots, thoroughly tossed in the oil, are indeed tender and delicious, and when paired with pork belly, they are simply a perfect accompaniment to rice.

The two dishes offer a striking contrast in texture and flavor: soft and chewy versus crisp and tender, rich versus refreshing. The group of gourmets found them increasingly delicious, constantly requesting more rice.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they put down their chopsticks, leaned back in their chairs, and exclaimed, "We really enjoyed the meal today!"

Ling Dongyu was also very satisfied. "I told you I'd treat you to something good, didn't I?"

Everyone praised Ling Dongyu, saying he was not only skilled but also a good person, always remembering his old friend.