The biggest characteristic of mutton was that it was tender and delicate. It was slightly different from beef and pork. However, Chu Ning’s father’s steps in handling the meat were almost identical. Soy sauce, chili, Sichuan peppercorn, oyster sauce… To Chu Ning, these spices, although giving the food a pleasant flavor, made the taste a little heavy. It could only stimulate the taste buds for a moment, but it did not enable the taste to linger.
Chu Ning would also use these seasonings, but she would not let them steal the limelight from the distinguishing features of the mutton. She would use some tender peas, chopped onions, and carrots to neutralize the seasoning. Once the mutton was seventy to eighty percent cooked, she would add green peppers and a few peppercorns to embellish the dish.
As for the salt and pepper salt prawns, Father Chu’s processing speed was even faster. After splitting open the back of the prawns, he would directly fry it in hot oil. Then, he would sprinkle a handful of cumin and salt, and it would be done.
As for Chu Ning, it didn’t look like she was cooking. Instead, it looked like she was carefully completing a work of art. On the salt and pepper prawns, there were also coriander and lemon.
When these four dishes were served on the dining table, Chu Jing and Mother Chu commented that the braised lamb chops and salt and pepper prawns made by Father Chu smelled very fragrant, and they appeared more appetizing.
“Xiao Ning, it looks like you’re going to lose,” Chu Jing said with some regret, picking up a piece of Father Chu’s braised lamb chops and putting it into his mouth.
Chu Jing’s mother was also tasting Chu Ning’s lamb chops. At first, Chu Jing’s mother’s brows were slightly furrowed, but then they relaxed. In the end, her expression was extremely satisfied.
“Xiao Ning, this is the most delicious lamb I’ve eaten in all my years. This taste is very unfamiliar, but it gives me endless aftertaste. It allows me to experience the freshness of the lamb itself. Old Chu, you should try it too. I think you’ve lost to your daughter this time.”
Mother Chu’s conclusion was the exact opposite of Chu Jing’s.
“Oh? Xiao Ning, is your mutton really that delicious?” Chu Jing’s face revealed a look of disbelief. He reached out his chopsticks and picked up a piece of the lamb chop that Chu Ning had made.
After a moment, Chu Jing’s expression was a little complicated.
“Dad, you’ve really lost this time. Although Xiao Ning’s lamb chop doesn’t taste as heavy as yours, it has a very rich texture. I think the addition of the tender peas and carrots is indispensable. It’s too delicious!”
“Actually, I originally wanted to boil a pot of fish soup and add it in. That way, the taste would be even more perfect. But if that’s the case, I would be suspected of cheating. I don’t think Dad would be convinced,” Chu Ning smiled from the side.
“Let me try it!” Father Chu couldn’t believe what Mother Chu and Chu Ning had said. He quickly picked up a piece of mutton and tasted it.
Father Chu showed a serious expression and gave Chu Ning a thumbs up. “Delicious!”
“Dad, do you also want to try the salt and pepper prawns? Actually, although this dish takes less time to cook than the braised lamb chop, it is more difficult. Please try it,” Chu Ning invited enthusiastically.
The salt and pepper prawns cooked by Father Chu were still steaming hot, but Chu Ning’s were at a constant temperature.
“It would be great if there were ice cubes, but I used some ice water to lower the temperature of the entire prawn, so the taste of its meat should be very tender and refreshing. Moreover, it was very fresh to begin with. A small amount of lemon can better enhance the taste of the sea.”
Chu Ning looked at the three of them tasting her salt and pepper prawn and could not help but explain.
“I lost, Xiao Ning. You’ve won!”
Father Chu put down his chopsticks and sighed. He did not even want to move his chopsticks to taste his own salt and pepper prawns. The same thing applied. Although it was delicious, it was not as special as Chu Ning’s.
Chu Ning’s culinary skills had completely reached the level of a Michelin star chef!
The dishes she cooked were more international, and not just limited to one region or a family’s kitchen.
Even Chu Jing, who had never eaten much, ate a lot more than usual that day. However, there was no doubt that Chu Ning’s dishes were more popular. In order to save Father Chu from embarrassment, Mother Chu still ate Father Chu’s dishes. As for the result, it was obvious, since Father Chu himself had already admitted that Chu Ning’s dishes were more palatable.
“Xiao Ning, I really admire you. You’re practically an all-rounded talent!” Chu Jing could not help but praise her.
“No way, Second Brother. I think your computer skills are amazing. In any case, I can’t do it.”
Chu Ning shook her head. Chu Jing once used less than half an hour to track down the person who had secretly taken photos of her, which really shocked her.
“I think, Xiao Ning, if you go and study it, you might be able to catch up with me very quickly, or even surpass me,” Chu Jing said very seriously after thinking for a moment.