Tang Dynasty: Slacking off in the Imperial Kitchen, exposed by Si Zi

Chapter 54 Desserts That Span the Century

Chapter 54 Desserts That Span the Century

Su Mu didn't explain, but simply repeated the process of rolling, folding, and cooling.

This job is strenuous and requires patience.

The dough temperature should not be too high, and your hand temperature should not be too hot, otherwise the oil will mix into the dough and it will not separate into layers, resulting in a dense, hard dough lump after baking.

The courtyard gate creaked open.

Fang Qingjun carried an exquisite food box and followed Li Lizhi in.

"Mr. Su."

Fang Qingjun bowed, but her eyes kept glancing at the cutting board. "What strange thing are you making today?"

"You've come at the perfect time."

Su Mu rolled up the dough after the final fold, cut it into small pieces, and said, "We're just short of someone to tend the fire. Miss Fang, I see your hands are slender, how about—"

Fang Qingjun was stunned and before she could react, a palm-leaf fan was shoved into her hand.

"Make the fire in that clay stove burn brighter; this stuff needs to be baked at a high temperature and quickly."

The daughter of a high-ranking prime minister is reduced to a kitchen maid in this woodshed.

Fang Qingjun wasn't annoyed. Instead, she squatted down in front of the oddly shaped clay stove with a sense of novelty and started fanning it vigorously.

Li Lizhi skillfully led Xiao Sizi to sit next to Li Yuan, the little girl's eyes fixed on Su Mu's hand movements.

"Hey bro, what's in that noodle dish? It's all white, is it fatty meat?"

Little Sizi slurped his saliva.

"That's butter, it smells delicious."

Su Mu pressed the cut dough pieces into small molds. These molds were made of tin foil, disposable items; although simple, they conducted heat quickly.

I dipped my finger in flour and gently pushed it into the mold, pressing the dough against the mold wall and leaving a groove in the middle.

Next comes preparing the filling.

Crack a few eggs into a bowl, and only use the yolks.

Add a large bowl of fresh goat milk—

These days, cow's milk is rare, and goat's milk has a strong muttony smell, but the Sumu added some almonds to remove the fishy smell and also added a lot of sugar.

The pale yellow egg liquid mixed with the milky white sheep milk blended together under the stirring of chopsticks, turning into an enticing milky yellow color.

Su Mu picked up the bowl and poured the dough into the small molds that were already lined with it.

"Slurp—!"

The egg mixture was just the right amount, filling the container to about eight-tenths full.

"Put it in the furnace!"

Su Mu placed the tray into the scorching hot clay stove, closed the stove door behind him, and used a piece of wet mud to seal the gaps.

"That's it?"

Li Yuan seemed a little unsatisfied. "Shouldn't we fry them a couple more times? Or maybe drizzle some oil over them?"

"Just wait and see."

Su Mu clapped the flour off his hands, pulled over a small stool and sat down. "Haste makes waste, and it certainly won't taste good with Portuguese egg tarts."

Time slipped away slowly amidst the crackling of the charcoal fire.

At first, there was no movement.

Gradually, a milky aroma unlike anything I'd ever smelled before wafted out from the cracks in the clay stove.

Unlike the domineering flavor of barbecue, or the smoky charm of pancakes.

It's a pure, gentle flavor, sweet and blissful.

That was the most powerful magic released by the oil under high temperature on this late autumn afternoon.

"It smells so good!"

Little Sizi unconsciously scooted forward, her little nose twitching, "It tastes sweet! Even better than the pastries from the imperial kitchen!"

Fang Qingjun slowed down her fanning, the milky fragrance seemed to have grown hands, gently tickling her stomach.

"Mr. Su, how much longer?"

Li Lizhi couldn't help but swallow.

"That's about it."

Su Mu got up, picked up the pliers, and knocked off the mud sealing the door.

The instant the furnace door opened.

boom!

A burst of scalding aroma, like a long-accumulated torrent, instantly filled the entire courtyard.

Su Mu used a thick cloth to pad his hands and dragged the tray out.

"hiss--!"

Everyone present gasped in shock.

On the tray, golden-yellow round cakes were sizzling.

The outer layer of flaky pastry is layered like blooming peony petals, golden brown and crispy.

The most amazing part is the steamed egg custard in the middle!

Under high temperature baking, the originally liquid egg liquid solidified into a smooth pudding-like consistency, with large bubbles rising on the surface, trembling with the heat.

On its golden surface, there are a few brownish spots, like playful freckles on a beautiful woman's face.

"This is called a beauty spot."

Su Mu pointed to the scorched spots, "Without these spots, it's not authentic."

"Can we have seven?"

Little Sizi had already pounced on the cutting board, her little hands trying to grab it but afraid of getting burned. She stamped her feet in frustration, "It's moving! That egg is moving!"

"Let it cool down, do you still want your mouth?"

Su Mu tapped the little girl's outstretched hand with his chopsticks.

Unfortunately, for foodies, waiting is the greatest torture.

Less than half a cup of tea's time had passed when Xiao Sizi seized the opportunity, swiftly reaching out and grabbing a still-steaming egg tart.

"Whoosh—it's hot! So hot!"

She cried out that it was hot, but her hands wouldn't let go. The little girl opened her mouth wide, disregarding all decorum, and bit down hard on the edge.

"Snap—!"

The sound was crisp, delicate, and lingering.

Countless layers of flaky pastry, as thin as cicada wings, cracked and crumbled between her teeth, instantly covering Xiao Sizi in crumbs. Then, the piping hot steamed egg custard flowed into her mouth!

"Ugh!!!"

Little Sizi's eyes widened suddenly. He was so hot from the heat that he was panting and tears were welling up in his eyes, but he was still chewing frantically.

"So crispy! So many layers! And those heart-shaped things—so smooth and sweet!"

As the little girl spoke, crumbs of pastry fell from the corner of her mouth.

She didn't bother wiping herself; she stuck out her pink little tongue, scooped up the crumbs from the corner of her mouth, and put them all into her mouth.

Li Yuan couldn't help but watch as his granddaughter ate until she was covered in crumbs.

"I'd like to try this thousand-layer skin and see what it's all about."

The old man picked one up, but didn't dare to take a big bite. He first tentatively nibbled on the edge.

Li Yuan was stunned after taking that bite.

This puff pastry—it's fucking a thousand layers!

The moment your teeth touch it, the layers of pastry break apart, and the rich aroma of butter explodes in your mouth. This crispness isn't hard and crunchy, but rather the kind that crumbles at the slightest touch and melts in your mouth.

Then bite into the filling in the middle.

soft!

Unbelievably tender!

The rich aroma of milk blends with the fragrance of eggs, sweet but not cloying, soft and smooth, creating a striking contrast with the crispy outer crust.

"nice one!"

Li Yuan gave a thumbs-up, a piece of pastry stuck to his beard. "Young Su, your skill is nothing short of divine! This is far superior to those hard, crumbly pastries from the Imperial Kitchen!"

Fang Qingjun swallowed hard as she watched the old man and the child eating in such an unseemly manner, and then hesitantly picked up one.

She intended to savor it elegantly in small sips.

But the moment the flaky pastry bursts in your mouth, all thoughts of being a refined lady or having the airs of a high-ranking official are thrown to the winds.

too delicious!

This sweet taste is simply soothing to the soul.

Fang Qingjun closed her eyes, letting the feeling of happiness spread across her tongue.

When she came to her senses, all that was left in her hand was a foil tray for the egg tart, and her other hand was already uncontrollably reaching for the next one.

"More! More!"

Little Sizi finished one, her face covered in crumbs, but she still held up her empty hand, "Brother, this is so good! I'm going to take it to Father!"

Su Mu plopped back down in the recliner and stuffed the last egg tart into his mouth.

"That's all. This stuff is expensive to produce and labor-intensive; we only make one batch a day."

Su Mu mumbled, "If you want to bring it to your dad—let him come and line up himself."

Li Lizhi looked at the empty tray, then at her younger sister who was still licking her fingers with lingering satisfaction, and sighed helplessly.

It seems that tonight, Father will be throwing a tantrum at thin air again.

These egg tarts are so crispy, they're probably not even as good as mud. They crumble into pieces at the slightest touch. Do you want to take one home intact?

It's as difficult as climbing to heaven.