Chapter 171

Fan Donghua looked around. "I see, it has a kind of quiet charm amidst the hustle and bustle."

It's May, and the grass and trees are lush and green.

Fan Donghua and the others felt hot outside, but as soon as they entered the farm, the shade and moisture from the trees instantly calmed them down.

Even if they weren't here to explore the restaurant, but just came in for a regular meal, they would still praise the farm's wonderful environment.

As someone who's somewhat in the same industry, Fan Donghua not only came to check out the restaurant and sample the dishes, but also to see their kitchen.

Zhou Yan wasn't intimidated at all. Their kitchen was well-managed, all staff had the relevant licenses and were competent, and all ingredients had clear origins, all being high-end international ingredients—especially the imported ones, which were basically well-known in the industry.

If the ingredients in the kitchen were photographed and posted online, it would definitely be a plus.

Ever since Zhou Yan agreed to film, Fan Donghua knew that this place was pretty good, but he still couldn't help but be surprised when he actually went into the kitchen.

Fan Donghua: "This place is amazing! How do you manage to keep it so clean, tidy, and well-managed?"

Zhou Yan said with pride, "All our staff here earn 120% of the salary of their peers at the same level."

This time, not only Fan Donghua showed amazement, but even the staff following behind him who were filming couldn't help but show expressions of amazement.

It really is a big farm; they're really rich.

Zhou Yan introduced the ingredients and tools in the kitchen to Fan Donghua, focusing on today's pickled bamboo shoots and hazel grouse. "The pickled bamboo shoots are from the bamboo forest that our boss contracted. They're soaked in well water for a full sixty days, which is why they have such a bright golden color."

Fan Donghua couldn't help but lower his head slightly to smell it. "It does smell sour and fragrant. I see that your bamboo shoots are crisp, tender, and plump enough. Are they made with winter bamboo shoots?"

Zhou Yan: "Yes, this batch of pickled bamboo shoots is made from winter bamboo shoots, while the batch we just pickled was made from spring bamboo shoots."

Fan Donghua: "What about the hazel grouse?"

Zhou Yan: "The hazel grouse are free-range grouse raised in bamboo forests, simulating a wild environment. They eat grass seeds and small insects, and drink mountain spring water. The breeding period is basically up to six months, and they also undergo quarantine before slaughter. This is our certificate."

Fan Donghua nodded. "It's done quite properly. I'm more curious about the taste of the sour bamboo shoot and hazelnut chicken soup. Was this dish inspired by the sour bamboo shoot and chicken skin soup in literary works?"

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "I don't know what inspired the boss; our boss just asked us to do it."

When Qing Mengzhu proposed the sour bamboo shoot and hazelnut chicken soup, he didn't consider the dish from the literary works at all. He simply wanted to pile up high-quality ingredients to maintain the farm's reputation.

The "Superior Grade" bamboo shoots and "Fine Grade" hazel grouse are probably the best ingredients they can currently offer in bulk.

Zhou Yan gave Fan Donghua a tour of the kitchen, and then they started making the pickled bamboo shoot and hazelnut chicken soup.

The recipe for this dish doesn't need to be kept secret at all. It tests the chef's ability to control the heat and the quality of the ingredients. Zhou Yan made it generously in front of the camera and then invited Fan Donghua to taste it.

When Zhou Yan made this dish, Fan Donghua knew it was a sure thing.

It smells amazing! As a fellow chef, Fan Donghua knew that it was the natural aroma of the ingredients, an aroma that no cooking method could achieve out of thin air.

When he finally tasted the soup, its fragrant, rich, sour, and fresh flavors made Fan Donghua close his eyes and savor it carefully.

After taking several sips, Fan Donghua sighed, "It's so fragrant! It's hard to believe that the ingredients complement each other so perfectly. They enhance each other and add the finishing touch to each other. You make a truly excellent soup."

Zhou Yan said with a smile, "The reason our soup is so good is because the ingredients are exceptional. Some customers have said that after taking a sip of the soup, their entire taste buds are awakened, and they feel as if they have suddenly 'woke up'."

Fan Donghua took another sip carefully, nodded, and said, "That's a good summary. Oh, how did I finish it without even realizing it? I'll have another bowl to try."

Zhou Yan: "Come on, let me serve you. There's still some in the kitchen; it's our signature dish, and the kitchen staff always have some on hand."

As Fan Donghua sipped his soup, he couldn't help but say, "This isn't your signature dish, it should be called your restaurant's star dish. With this dish here, no one can say they've missed out by coming to your farm."

Seeing that he genuinely liked it, Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Then, Brother Fan, when you go back, pack a hazelnut to take home."

This also provides material for Fan Donghua, making it easier for him to shoot videos later.

Fan Donghua was delighted upon hearing this and readily agreed with a smile, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Chapter 171

The pickled bamboo shoot and hazelnut chicken soup at the farm successfully became a new signature dish. Seeing this, Qing Mengzhu arranged for the accumulated hazelnut eggs to be sent for incubation.

They need to hurry up and hatch a batch of baby hazel grouse, otherwise, once this batch is used up, it will be difficult to continue offering their signature dish.

After another busy morning, Qing Mengzhu had just come down from the mountain when Zhao Hexi came to him carrying a watermelon and asked, "What happened over at the bamboo forest? There's been a lot of clanging and banging."

Qing Mengzhu: "Chunxi ordered an automated breeding system, and our previous renovation application has been approved. We are currently renovating the chicken coop on the mountain, preparing to use more scientific and advanced breeding methods."

Zhao Hexi: "Oh, I see. It's what you told me before, putting leg bands on hazel grouse for smart farming, right?"

Qing Mengzhu nodded. "Pretty much, it's basically about introducing intelligent farming systems, strengthening supervision, and reducing the burden on people. How did you get here?"

Zhao Hexi: "I'm bringing you a watermelon."

Qing Mengzhu took the watermelon from his hand. "The watermelons came out quite early this year. I was thinking about planting some watermelons a while ago, but then I forgot about it. I'll plant some when I have time."

Zhao Hexi proudly tapped the watermelon. "This is our watermelon."

Qing Mengzhu raised her eyebrows. "When was it planted? How come I didn't know?"

Zhao Hexi: "We didn't plant it; it's a wild gourd that grew on its own. Auntie Feng saw it when they were working but didn't pull it out. They would occasionally water and fertilize it. Now that it's grown big, I've brought it over."

Qing Mengzhu was surprised to find wild watermelons in the field. She tapped one and said, "That's a pleasant surprise. They should be ripe. I'll put them in the refrigerator to chill and eat them tonight."

Zhao Hexi: "Whatever you want. There are several here. We've already eaten some in the fields, and they tasted pretty good. This one was brought especially for you. When will the bamboo grove be ready? I haven't seen you go to the fields for quite a while."

Qing Mengzhu: "No, I went to check on them the evening before last, and the vegetables in our fields seemed to be growing quite well."

Then, Qing Mengzhu added, "It might take another week or two at the bamboo forest. I'm currently planting soybeans there, and we'll talk about it after that."

Zhao Hexi's first thought was, "The bamboo grows so lushly, how can soybeans grow inside a bamboo grove? Won't they get blocked from the sunlight?"

Qing Mengzhu: "I've already pruned the bamboo branches. Not every inch of land is lush with bamboo. Planting soybeans where they get sunlight will be fine."

In addition to fixing nitrogen, soybeans can also loosen the soil with their extensive root system, so planting soybeans in bamboo forests is beneficial to the growth of bamboo.

In addition, soybeans are also a staple food. Qing Mengzhu wants to become Intermediate Grower, she needs to have experience in growing soybeans.

After careful consideration, Qing Mengzhu simply planted a batch of bamboo in the bamboo forest.

Soybeans are very easy to grow; they can survive in all sorts of nooks and crannies. At most, the yield might be a little low, but planting a batch isn't difficult.

The Interstellar Mall doesn't sell soybeans, so he found "Good Grade+" soybeans after checking several stores both online and offline.

If we plant them now, we should be able to harvest a good crop of beans in the fall. We can then make soy milk, tofu, and other similar products, which should taste delicious.

Qing Mengzhu is now completely absorbed in the bamboo forest, and she patrols it almost every day.

After patrolling the two mountains, he was exhausted every day and really didn't have much energy left to focus on other things.