Chapter 826: The Power to Make People Believe
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan stopped Grandaunt Yang from thanking her again. Soon after, Su Binglan got started on breakfast. She secretly removed the tofu from her pocket dimension and soaked it in lightly salted water.
The old woman asked, “Is that the tofu, Niiss Su? It’s fragrant and looks soft. It should be delicious, right?”
After eating the tomato scrambled eggs last night, she knew how good Su Binglan’s cooking was. Grandaunt Yang savored the scrambled eggs, even now.
She had eaten and slept well last night. The old woman could not stop smiling. She knew the village would soon improve with Su Binglan around. Grandaunt Yang always thought the young lady had a power that could make people believe.
The former wanted to talk to Su Binglan more but did not want to disturb her. Still, Su Binglan patiently explained, “Yes, this is what tofu looks like, Madam Yang. Although you can cook and eat it directly, it’s a little cold and tasteless.
“It’ll only taste good when included in other dishes like soup. You can also add tofu to a fish dish or stew it with wild vegetables and cabbage.”
Grandaunt Yang lit up, realizing how versatile tofu was. She had heard people talking about tofu when she visited the town, but she dared not ask about it. After all, she wanted to avoid buying tofu to save money.
The family grew everything they ate and spent almost no money. The old woman felt she could not afford to be curious about anything. If she bought something to try, she would have to spend her earnings.
Grandaunt Yang could not help but ask, “Tofu must be expensive, huh?”
Su Binglan answered, “It’s six copper per five hundred grams where I’m from.
1 wonder what the prices are like in this town.”
She knew the tofu shop in this town probably received their products from merchants she had worked with in the past. The merchants she collaborated with had good morals, so they would not willingly raise the prices.
Grandaunt Yang estimated that one pound would be worth one or two coppers. That was expensive for her. However, the cheapest things she bought only cost a few coppers.
She thought she could perhaps buy a pound of tofu to cook and taste. The old woman also considered serving tofu during the New Year to improve the family’s diet.
“l can help you, Miss Su. Just tell me what you need me to do.”
Su Binglan smiled, “It’s okay. The dish I’m making is easy. Still, I’ll need someone to help with the fire.”
“I’ll do it.”
Su Binglan and Grandaunt Yang had woken up almost before dawn. Soon, Doctor Yang and the others also woke up and came over to help.
Su Binglan planned to make tomato tofu soup, so she had to wash and boil the tomatoes before removing the skins. When Su Wenwu finished washing up, he came to help out.
“Sister, the tomatoes are easy to peel after you boil them.”
Su Binglan said, “It’s better to boil and peel the tomatoes before making the soup. However, if you cook this on a daily basis, you won’t have to peel the tomato skins. After all, the skin is nutritious, too.’
“l understand, sister.” Su Wenxiu was not that interested in cooking. Instead, he focused more on researching herbs and medicine. However, he thought of Zi Die as he cooked. Su Wenxiu could not help but feel distracted.
Su Binglan was busy preparing breakfast, so she did not notice the change in her brother’s expression. When Su Wenxiu finished peeling the tomatoes, Su Binglan cut them into pieces.
Then, she poured oil into the pot and then stir-fried the onions and ginger. Soon after, she added the tomatoes and stirred everything together. A while later, she added water to the pot and brought it to a boil.
Afterward, she added the washed mushrooms and continued to stir the pot. When she almost finished cooking, she added the tofu at the last minute and let the soup simmer.
She then added salt, pepper, and other seasonings. Before closing the lid, she added starch and let the soup simmer again.
Su Wenxiu often took advantage of his sister’s cooking. However, he had never tried tomato tofu soup before. He felt the tomatoes would go well with the tofu and make the soup even more delicious.
He looked into the pot and said, “Sister, the tofu has changed color.”
Su Binglan explained, “If you cook it this way, the tomato will flavor the tofu.” She then looked at the redness of the soup and smiled.
The others smelled the fragrance and thought about the tomato scrambled eggs they had last night. Doctor Yang sniffed the air and said to her husband, “It smells so good!”
Doctor Lin responded, “If you like tomatoes, I’ll buy them and make some food for you and our son when we get back.”
Doctor Yang said softly, “I’ll learn how to cook when we get back.”
She used to think cooking was troublesome. However, after following Su Binglan and watching her cook last night, she began to think cooking could be enjoyable.
Doctor Lin was surprised because his wife hated cooking.
Doctor Yang said, “Miss Su looks like she’s making a piece of art whenever she cooks. It looks fun, too. I’ll be happy to participate when you cook next time.”
Doctor Lin nodded in agreement. He also wanted to participate whenever he watched Su Binglan cook. Doctor Lin felt it was sweet to cook and taste food together. He even wondered if it was a psychological effect.
After a while, Su Binglan adjusted the taste of the soup. She then smiled and said, “All right, the soup is ready. Just having a bowl of this is enough for your morning nutrition. ”
She had added plenty of tomatoes, mushrooms, and tofu into the soup so that everyone could have a big bowl.
Grandaunt Yang smiled, saying, “The soup looks so tasty. We’ll be full from eating a bowl each.”
Su Binglan divided the soup into several bowls, and everyone helped to bring them to the table. Soon after, everyone gathered around to eat. Doctor Yangs son used to be a picky eater. However, he now sat obediently at the table and stared at the bowl of soup. He could not wait to eat.
Doctor Yang and her husband were pleased to see their son so excited.
Su Binglan said, “Let’s eat, everyone. I’d like to know what you think about the soup, too..”
