Siheyuan: Tanjia Cuisine He Daqing, destroying Yi Zhonghai

In the following days, Sha Zhu began to calm down and carefully study the contents of these manuscripts. He found that although these recipes seemed simple, each dish contained the chef's lifelong experience and wisdom. For example, the ordinary braised pork seemed to be just a simple home-cooked dish, but the manuscript recorded how to control the heat, how to balance different ingredients, and even detailed instructions on how to cut the meat.

Whenever Sha Zhu encountered something he didn't understand, he would always ask He Daqing for advice. He Daqing would always explain patiently and sometimes even demonstrate in person. Through these exchanges, Sha Zhu gradually understood the true meaning of these recipes and why the master valued them so much.

Once, Sha Zhu tried to make an old-fashioned Kung Pao Chicken in the kitchen according to the instructions in the manuscript, but he found that no matter how he tried, he could not achieve the taste described in the manuscript. He was puzzled and went to He Daqing for advice.

"Master, I made this Kung Pao Chicken according to the recipe, but I felt like something was missing and the taste was not right." Sha Zhu said in confusion.

He Daqing smiled, walked to the stove, picked up the spatula, and motioned Sha Zhu to watch. He first cut the chicken into even pieces, then slowly fried the peanuts over low heat until golden brown, then made some minor adjustments to the heat, and finally added a few simple seasonings. In less than a moment, a dish of Kung Pao Chicken with good color, aroma and taste was ready.

Sha Zhu smelled the fragrant aroma and was a little puzzled: "Master, your method seems to be no different from what I just did, but why is the taste so different?"

He Daqing smiled and explained, "Shazhu, you did the right thing, but you missed the most important step - do it with your heart. Every dish has its soul, which is the chef's understanding and control of the ingredients. You have to know that the heat, knife skills, and seasonings are all dead, and only the chef's mind can make them alive."

After listening to the master's words, Sha Zhu fell into deep thought. He recalled the process of cooking just now and found that he had indeed neglected to pay attention to details in his busyness and his mind was not focused enough. He understood the master's intention. This is not only a cooking skill, but also an attitude, a spirit of wholehearted dedication.

Since then, Sha Zhu has been more attentive when making each dish, not only paying attention to the technical details, but also paying attention to the feeling of each process. He found that when he really puts his heart into it, the seemingly simple dishes will exude a different charm and taste richer. Restaurant guests also began to notice the changes in the dishes and praised the dishes for their more unique taste.

He Daqing was pleased to see Sha Zhu grow up. He knew that his apprentice had truly mastered the essence of those recipes and no longer relied solely on the instructions in the book, but used his own understanding to create. Such progress made He Daqing more confident about the future.

Although He Daqing gradually calmed down as he watched Sha Zhu busy in the kitchen, he felt uncomfortable in his stomach in recent days, especially at night, often tossing and turning and unable to fall asleep. With the arrival of summer, the weather was getting hotter and hotter, and he began to feel that he was getting angry, his mouth was always dry and unbearable, and his stomach was also aching.

One morning, He Daqing woke up early again. He felt exhausted from tossing and turning last night, and the heaviness of his body made it hard for him to breathe. He sat up from the bed, raised his hand and rubbed his temple, thinking about what he should do to relieve this symptom. Suddenly, he thought of a dietary recipe that he had not used for many years - heat-removing porridge.

This heat-relief porridge was taught to him by his master. It is simple but effective. When he was a child, his master would cook a bowl of it for him every summer to relieve the heat and reduce internal heat. The cool and refreshing taste is still in his memory. Now, He Daqing thinks it is time for Sha Zhu to learn how to make this porridge. This will not only help him relieve his discomfort, but also be a kind of inheritance.

After breakfast, He Daqing saw Sha Zhu sorting out the ingredients in the kitchen, so he walked over and patted him on the shoulder, "Sha Zhu, are you free today? I have something I want you to do."

Seeing his master's serious expression, Sha Zhu quickly put down the knife in his hand and asked with concern, "Master, what do you want?"

He Daqing nodded and said slowly: "It's been hot lately, and my old stomach can't take it. I always feel a lot of heat. Can you help me make a bowl of heat-reducing porridge? I'll teach you how to make it. This porridge can not only relieve the heat, but also nourish the stomach."

When Sha Zhu heard this, he immediately understood what the master meant. He knew the master's physical condition and couldn't help but feel a little worried. He quickly said, "Master, don't worry, I will do my best to make you feel better."

"Okay, let's prepare the ingredients first." After He Daqing finished speaking, he took Sha Zhu to the storage room and began to select the ingredients one by one.

"The key to making anti-inflammatory porridge lies in the combination of ingredients," He Daqing said as he picked. "We need something that can clear away heat and detoxify, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. First, there's coix seed, which can remove dampness and clear away heat, and can also strengthen the spleen. Then there's mung bean. Eating mung bean porridge in summer is the best way to relieve the heat. Then, add some lotus seeds and lilies. These two can nourish the heart and soothe the nerves, and have a good effect in clearing away internal heat. Finally, add some polished rice and rock sugar. Polished rice can harmonize the spleen and stomach, and rock sugar is for seasoning."

Sha Zhu listened carefully to the master's explanation and secretly noted down the effects of these ingredients. He found that the master was very particular about every step, not just the simple recipe, but also the understanding of the characteristics of each ingredient. This made him realize that making a seemingly simple porridge actually contains so much wisdom.

The two returned to the kitchen together. He Daqing sat aside and watched Sha Zhu busy. Sha Zhu first soaked the coix seeds and mung beans in water, and then soaked the lotus seeds and lilies in advance. He Daqing nodded from time to time while watching, and was quite satisfied with Sha Zhu's skills.

"Shazhu, remember, you have to cook this porridge over a slow fire so that the flavors of each ingredient can be absorbed slowly." He Daqing reminded, "If the fire is too high, the nutrients will escape, and if the fire is too low, the porridge won't be cooked thoroughly. The right temperature is the key."

Sha Zhu nodded and carefully adjusted the heat. He poured the soaked coix seeds, mung beans, lotus seeds and lilies into the casserole, added enough water, and slowly boiled it. As time went by, the ingredients in the pot gradually became soft and sticky, and the fragrance was overflowing.

He Daqing sat aside, smelling the familiar aroma, and couldn't help but recall the time when his master taught him how to make porridge. At that time, he was just like Sha Zhu, staring at the porridge in the pot intently, fearing that it would be spoiled if he was not careful. Now, it was his turn to pass on this experience to Sha Zhu, which gave him a subtle sense of satisfaction.