Chapter 101: The Fragrant and Dangerous Wenzhou Sesame Oil Duck

After removing the internal organs, the fresh and clean duck was ready.

The first step in the preparation process was straightforward—blanching.

Since omnivorous poultry meat had a certain gamey odor, blanching was essential.

The duck was placed in a pot of cold water, along with scallions, ginger, and a small amount of cooking wine to help remove any unpleasant smell from the meat.

As the water gradually heated up, a layer of foam began to form on the surface. These were the impurities and blood residues that were not visible to the naked eye.

After boiling for a few minutes, Jiang Rou flipped the duck over in the iron pot.

The bubbling water continued to roll for another few minutes, ensuring the entire duck was evenly heated.

During this process, the duck would also start to cook slightly.

Once the blanching was complete, she took out the steaming hot duck and rinsed it under running cold water.

The cool water washed away any remaining foam and blood on the surface of the duck.

Not only did this step clean the meat, but the sudden change in temperature also tightened the texture of the meat, enhancing its firmness and overall mouthfeel.

Every one of these meticulous steps was indispensable.

Next, Jiang Rou brought out an assortment of ingredients.

Ginger slices: They could be cut into larger pieces since they would be simmering in the marinade for a long time. If cut too thin, they would disintegrate easily, affecting the texture of the sauce.

Scallions: The snow-white stalks and vibrant green leaves were kept whole, just like the ginger.

Then came the spice bag.

For convenience, Jiang Rou had purchased a pre-mixed spice bag from “Tao Duoduo Mall” this time.

The spice bag contained a variety of aromatic ingredients, including fennel, cinnamon, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns…

There was even a small amount of Chinese medicinal herbs to enhance the flavor further.

Aside from these ingredients, the key element of the dish was—sesame oil.

As the name Sesame Oil Duck suggested, an abundance of sesame oil was essential.

In the small kitchen, at the stove—

While Jiang Rou busied herself with preparations, Zhou Xiaochuan had already taken the initiative to sit by the stove, diligently fulfilling his role as her little assistant.

Zhou Xiaohua, as always, carried her small stool, stood on tiptoes, and craned her neck.

Her wide, curious eyes darted around as she peered into the iron pot.

Even before the aroma of the food had filled the air, she was already licking her lips and swallowing her saliva in anticipation.

This kind of instinctive reaction was the best proof of Jiang Rou’s culinary skills!

However, today—

Jiang Rou’s next step was not suitable for spectators.

“Xiaohua, today, you have to watch from a safe spot.” Jiang Rou said.

She walked over, slipped her arms under Zhou Xiaohua’s armpits, and lifted the little girl up with ease.

Carrying her to the doorway of the kitchen, she gently patted her head and instructed,

“Be good, Xiaohua. You can only watch from here. You’re not allowed to step inside the kitchen.”

Zhou Xiaohua was always an obedient and well-mannered child.

Although her big, round eyes were filled with confusion, she still did exactly as Jiang Rou had told her.

Her small body was mostly hidden behind the doorframe, but her bright, black eyes peeked out, watching intently.

Jiang Rou wasn’t just being cautious with Zhou Xiaohua.

Even she herself went to the wardrobe and pulled out one of Zhou Zhongshan’s old jackets.

Zhou Zhongshan’s old clothes were usually so worn out that they weren’t even fit to be cut into rags—barely good enough to be used as mop cloths.

But men’s jackets were large and loose, allowing Jiang Rou to wear them comfortably over her own clothes.

Jiang Rou put on the old jacket inside out, pulling it up to cover her face.

The worn-out shoulder area had two small holes, just the right size for her eyes to see through.

She tested it—her vision was clear.

Dressed in this strange getup, she returned to the small kitchen.

Before proceeding, she gave Zhou Xiaochuan another reminder.

“No matter what sounds you hear next, don’t stick your head out. Just sit still and behave.”

Jiang Rou treated Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua differently.

With Zhou Xiaochuan, she gradually revealed the firm authority of an elder.

After all, if she didn’t, how could she keep this restless little wolf cub under control?

With unnecessary personnel cleared from the scene and her “protective gear” in place, Jiang Rou was finally ready to continue making Sesame Oil Duck.

At this moment—

Anyone who knew her would understand she was just cooking.

But for those who didn’t, they might think she was developing some kind of experimental weapon.

The iron pot was heated until it started smoking.

Jiang Rou first poured in some rapeseed oil, about a small bowl’s worth.

Then—

She opened the sesame oil she had purchased from “Tao Duoduo Mall.”

It came in a glass bottle with an old-fashioned rubber stopper, filled to the brim. 

After peeling off the label, it revealed a plain 1970s-style design—nothing about it suggested it was a product from the future.

Gurgle, gurgle.

Jiang Rou poured the sesame oil into the iron pot as well.

The ratio of sesame oil to rapeseed oil was about 1:1, each about a small bowl’s worth.

Soon—

As the oil temperature rose, she dipped a chopstick into the pot. Tiny bubbles immediately formed and clustered around it.

At this point, it was ready.

Jiang Rou took a deep breath.

She put on a cloth glove on her left hand and held a long-handled ladle in her right.

Then, gripping the duck’s neck with her left hand, she lifted the blanched and slightly dried duck high.

With her right hand, she dipped the ladle into the hot oil, scooping up the blended rapeseed and sesame oil together.

Then—

She gently drizzled the hot oil over the duck.

Jiang Rou had already tried to be as careful as possible, but the moment the scorching oil touched the duck’s surface—

Sizzle! Crackle! Pop!

In an instant, blazing-hot oil splattered everywhere in the small kitchen.

Because the duck had been blanched and rinsed with cold water earlier, no matter how thoroughly it had been dried, there was still a thin layer of moisture on its surface.

And when moisture met hot oil—the result was obvious.

It was like dropping a single drop of water into a pot of burning oil.

Like throwing a stone into a calm stream.

The splash was inevitable.

Sizzle! Sizzle! Pop!

Tiny droplets of hot oil, carrying intense heat, shot out in every direction.

If even a single drop landed on bare skin, it would immediately raise a blister.

Extremely dangerous.

This was exactly why Jiang Rou had taken so many precautions.

The sudden chaotic explosion of sound startled Zhou Xiaohua. Her shoulders trembled, and she shrank her neck in fear.

Luckily, she had been standing far away.

If she had been next to the stove like before, she would have been burned by the flying oil for sure.

Zhou Xiaohua, still trembling, shrank further behind the door.

But the loud popping and cracking didn’t stop.

A few seconds later—

Still clutching her ears, she peeked out with her wide, dark eyes, unable to resist her curiosity and concern.

Zhou Xiaochuan was also taken aback.

But—being the stubborn little wolf cub that he was, he refused to show it.

He froze for a moment, gripping a piece of firewood in his hands, his sharp eyes locked onto the scene.

His brow furrowed.

A thought flashed through his mind—What about her?!

Even though Jiang Rou had strictly ordered that no one should peek no matter what sounds they heard—

In the next instant, as Zhou Xiaochuan’s gaze darkened—

He clenched his teeth.

And stuck his head out anyway.

At the stove—

At the heart of danger.

The violent crackling and splattering showed no sign of stopping.

Instead, it intensified.

Jiang Rou, however, stood steady as a rock, ladle in hand—

Scoop after scoop of hot oil—

She continued to drizzle it over the duck…