Siheyuan: Tanjia Cuisine He Daqing, destroying Yi Zhonghai

He Daqing smiled, "Don't worry, Xiao Zhuzi. You have talent and understanding. As long as you keep working hard, you will definitely surpass me." He paused and continued, "But remember, the most important thing in the chef's profession is not the skill, but the heart. Only by doing it with your heart can you truly make a dish that touches people's hearts."

He Yuzhu nodded. He understood what He Daqing meant. He knew that cooking is not just about processing ingredients, but also an art and a communication with diners. Every dish should be made with effort and emotion, so that it can be given life.

In the following days, He Daqing and He Yuzhu worked together in the kitchen every day to study various dishes. He Daqing patiently explained every detail, from the selection of ingredients to the cooking methods, and finally the plating, not missing any link. He Yuzhu also increasingly felt the importance of this responsibility. He knew that what he shouldered was not only the inheritance of a craft, but also a kind of inheritance and development.

One night, He Yuzhu was practicing the dishes He Daqing taught him in the kitchen. Although it was almost midnight, he still refused to stop. He Daqing quietly walked to the kitchen door and saw He Yuzhu's focused expression, and felt relieved. He knew that he had found the right person, and He Yuzhu would be able to carry forward this skill in the future.

He Yuzhu finally finished his practice and found He Daqing standing at the door. He quickly put down the knife in his hand with a tired but excited smile on his face, "Master, why haven't you slept yet?"

He Daqing smiled and walked into the kitchen. "I just wanted to see how you were doing. Not bad, Xiao Zhuzi, your progress is faster than I thought."

He Yuzhu smiled modestly, "Master, you taught me well. I am just following your instructions."

He Daqing patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder and said earnestly: "Remember, what you have learned now is just the techniques I taught you, but real cooking skills are not just imitation, but to make something of your own on this basis. Only in this way can you truly become a top chef."

He Yuzhu nodded, knowing that He Daqing was encouraging him to be bold and innovative and not to stick to tradition. A new fighting spirit was ignited in He Yuzhu's heart. He was determined to create his own style and characteristics under the guidance of He Daqing, and bring more surprises and changes to the restaurant.

A few days later, one afternoon, the sun shone through the old locust tree in the courtyard, and sprinkled on the bluestone slabs. He Daqing sat in the yard, looking at He Yuzhu busy in the kitchen not far away, and felt a little tired. Although he taught cooking skills every day these days, his physical condition was not as good as before. Recently, the symptoms of getting angry became more and more obvious, with dry mouth and a burning feeling in the stomach. He knew that this was his body reminding him to pay attention to recuperation.

"Zhu Zi, come here." He Daqing called softly, with a hint of fatigue in his voice.

When He Yuzhu heard the master's voice, he immediately put down the work in his hands, walked quickly to He Daqing, and asked with concern: "Master, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell again?"

He Daqing waved his hand slightly, "It's nothing serious, I just feel a little hot recently, and my mouth is very dry. Can you help me make a bowl of heat-reducing porridge to clear the heat and make my stomach feel better."

He Yuzhu nodded, and suddenly became nervous. He knew that his master's health had not been as good as before, but he did not expect that he would ask him to make porridge. Although making porridge seemed simple, he knew that He Daqing had extremely high requirements for details, especially in terms of the heat and taste of the ingredients, and he could not be careless at all.

"Master, don't worry, I will make the porridge to your satisfaction." He Yuzhu said as he carefully recalled the various porridge-making techniques that his master had taught him.

He Daqing smiled slightly and nodded, "Go ahead. Remember, timing is the most important thing. Don't be impatient. Take your time."

He Yuzhu responded and turned to the kitchen. He first took out the rice and washed it with clean water. When washing the rice, he paid attention to the color and texture of the rice, trying to keep each grain white and translucent. He knew that the taste of the porridge was not only related to the heat, but also closely related to the selection and processing of the rice.

Next, he began to prepare some heat-clearing herbs, such as lotus seeds, lilies and coix seeds, which are commonly used to clear heat. He mixed these herbs with rice, put them in a pot, added enough water, lit the fire and started to boil.

He Yuzhu knew that the key to cooking porridge was to control the temperature. He did not dare to slack off and always paid attention to the changes in the fire. He first boiled it over high heat, then turned it to low heat and simmered it slowly. He stirred the porridge with a spoon from time to time to make the rice grains and medicinal materials blend evenly and prevent it from sticking to the pot.

As time went by, the aroma of the porridge gradually spread, and a light fragrance filled the kitchen, and He Yuzhu's mood also relaxed. He felt that his cooking skills were improving little by little, and this bowl of heat-removing porridge gradually took shape. The porridge was clear and moist, the rice grains were soft, and the taste of the medicinal materials was just right.

He Daqing sat in the yard, closed his eyes and rested. He could smell the porridge aroma from the kitchen, and felt a little relieved. He Yuzhu's progress made him feel at ease, but he also knew that this was not just a simple porridge, but also a test of He Yuzhu's mentality and skills. To be a chef, you need not only skills, but also patience and a meticulous attitude, which is exactly what He Daqing hopes to convey to He Yuzhu through this porridge.

Not long after, He Yuzhu came out of the kitchen with a bowl of hot porridge and carefully placed it in front of He Daqing. His eyes were full of anticipation and a little nervousness. After all, this was the first time he cooked porridge for his master, and he naturally hoped to get his master's approval.

"Master, please try this porridge and see if it suits your taste." He Yuzhu said in a low voice, with anticipation in his eyes.

He Daqing nodded slightly, picked up the spoon, and gently scooped a spoonful of porridge into his mouth. He closed his eyes and savored the taste of the porridge carefully. The softness of the rice grains and the fragrance of the medicinal materials intertwined in his mouth. The temperature of the porridge was just right, melting in his mouth. The warmth was accompanied by a hint of coolness, which relieved the burning sensation in his body.

After a while, He Daqing opened his eyes and nodded slowly, "Not bad, Xiao Zhuzi, this porridge is very well cooked. The heat is just right, and the flavors of the rice and the herbs are evenly blended. It's exactly the effect I want."

After hearing this comment, He Yuzhu finally felt relieved and his tense nerves gradually relaxed. He smiled, his eyes full of gratitude, "Master, as long as you like it. In fact, when I was cooking the porridge just now, I was a little nervous, afraid that it would not be done well."