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Chapter 656: Chapter 661 Laba Porridge_1
When Zhang Ziwen mentioned that to Qiao Duo’er, it moved her heart, and she thought frying it in oil would make it even more fragrant.
"I’ll do just that in a bit. Wait for me, I’ll go get you some money," she said.
Zhang Ziwen quickly shook his head, "You’ve helped my family out so much, if I took your money, my dad would definitely call me an ingrate."
"Then I’ll give you some ingredients for Laba Congee. Just add some water tonight, boil it, and it will be ready to drink."
Qiao Duo’er didn’t bring up money again because she knew that was just how Zhang Ziwen was—if he said he didn’t want it, he really wouldn’t take it.
In the Zhang Family, it was just him and his father, so even if Father Zhang made Laba Congee, the ingredients wouldn’t be all that ample.
Qiao Duo’er quickly brought out a bag of mixed Babao Congee ingredients from her house.
Zhang Ziwen accepted it joyfully, "This Laba Festival is going to be delicious. Otherwise, my dad would have just added some beans and made do."
Yellow beans were what they ate most often, and he was close to tears.
Qiao Duo’er laughed at his reaction, and only then did Zhang Ziwen realize his lapse.
Blushing, he said, "I’ll bring you some seasoning in a bit. It’s made from sun-dried shrimp ground into powder. Sprinkling a little on tofu makes it taste even better."
After that, he ran off in a cloud of dust.
"This child is so bashful, what’ll he do when he goes to get a wife?" Qiao Duo’er jokingly remarked.
Tan Zhenghong said nonchalantly, "Once he’s got a wife, he won’t be shy anymore. I used to blush when I talked to girls too."
"I hadn’t noticed," Qiao Duo’er said, throwing a wet blanket over Tan Zhenghong with a shrug.
She knew Tan Zhenghong was telling the hard truth, but that wasn’t important.
What was important was that now he was like a quietly strutting peacock, always thinking of getting an advantage from her.
Tan Zhenghong wasn’t upset, "I knew you don’t have an eye for talent."
The two bantered while getting busy.
Tan Zhenghong cut tofu into cubes and soaked them in saltwater, and Qiao Duo’er would take them out and dab them with salt using chopsticks.
By the time Zhang Ziwen delivered the shrimp powder, they had already processed the tofu.
After evenly sprinkling the shrimp powder over it, their work was complete. Laba Tofu could be eaten on its own, stewed with meat, or stir-fried, all providing a unique taste.
Qiao Duo’er was looking forward to it, although she knew she’d still have to wait quite a few days.
On the evening of Laba Festival, the main event was Laba Congee, and Qiao Duo’er had a full pot simmering by dusk.
In Big Willow Village, there was a tradition of gifting Laba Congee. Before the family had theirs, it was customary to send it to relatives and friends.
By now, Duo’er’s House had already received congee from Tie Niu and Hu’s Clan, and more would be coming soon.
After distributing to her close ones, Qiao Duo’er brought a large pot to the Embroidery Room.
The Embroidery Ladies were just having their dinner, so it became an added treat for them.
"Don’t be shy, everyone. Help yourselves later," Qiao Duo’er called out.
Upon hearing this, the Embroidery Ladies beamed with joy.
"I was just saying, I wonder if those ungrateful ones at home even remembered to save me some Laba Congee. And look, now I’m enjoying it," one of them said.
"Duo’er, how do you make this Laba Congee? It’s really delicious," another one inquired.
"I’ve never had porridge this tasty before—it’s thick and sticky. I’ve never had such delicious porridge in my life," another lamented.
How could the same rice porridge taste so much better when others make it?
Qiao Duo’er generously shared the secret: adding a bit of alkaline water when boiling the porridge creates an excellent texture.
However, the ladies could only take note of the method in their hearts; times were tough at home, and buying a pound of alkaline water could cost as much as three pounds of salt, so they just had to eat more now.
The only regret was that the rules of the Embroidery Room stated that they couldn’t take anything out except for white steamed buns. Otherwise, they would have taken a bowl home for their children to taste.
