sbdcsierra Chapter 59 Brown Sugar Potstickers, Taking Care of the Baby
Chapter 59 Brown Sugar Potstickers, Taking Care of the Baby
A week has passed, and it's time for a weekend rest.
Xu Liang's fatigue had mostly dissipated, and before dawn, he had already gotten up and gone into the kitchen.
Last week's revenue was more than three times that of the previous few weeks, which is a good result among individual businesses in the whole town.
Xu Liang knew in his heart that behind the booming business was the hidden danger of a serious shortage of inventory.
The products were sold out within half an hour of opening, which was a disappointment for the customers.
For him, it was a business opportunity that was simply lost.
On the first day of the new week, he was going to fight a battle he was well-prepared for.
The kitchen was dimly lit. Xu Liang poured the flour he had weighed in advance onto the cutting board, piling it into a small mountain.
Today's quantity is more than double that of yesterday: three hundred spicy steamed buns and two hundred braised pork buns. Just the step of kneading the dough is enough to exhaust my energy.
The dough for making steamed buns and flower rolls needs to be soft and fluffy. He dissolved the yeast in warm water and added a little sugar to promote fermentation.
Xu Liang gradually stirred the sugar into the flour, then repeatedly kneaded it until it became elastic. The dough was kneaded until smooth.
Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise by the stove, using the residual heat of the honeycomb briquette stove in the small restaurant.
He bought this coal stove during his weekend break after the event ended last week.
It can make the dough rise faster and become fluffier.
While the dough was resting, Xu Liang began preparing for today's main event.
That's right, brown sugar potstickers
The brown sugar potsticker snack was specially prepared by him for the elderly and children of the town.
People in the Sichuan and Chongqing region mostly love spicy food, but the elderly and children have weak stomachs and cannot withstand the intense spiciness of steamed buns. Sweet and glutinous brown sugar potstickers fill the gap perfectly.
However, Xu Liang still knew that the dough for making guokui (a type of flatbread) needed to be chewy and could not be as soft as the dough for steamed buns.
Xu Liang added a little salt and lard to the flour, mixed it with cold water, and kneaded it repeatedly until the dough was firm and elastic. This way, the fried guokui would have a crispy outer crust and a soft, layered interior, and it wouldn't harden or become tough after cooling.
However, the preparation of the filling is even more meticulous.
Xu Liang chose the best quality old brown sugar from the brown sugar supply and marketing cooperative.
This old-fashioned brown sugar is dark brown in color and has a rich sugarcane aroma. After being crushed, a small amount of flour is mixed in according to a certain ratio.
This is a trick he has discovered over many years: flour can absorb melted brown sugar, preventing the sugar juice from splattering and burning your tongue when you bite into it, and also making the sweetness milder.
The dough has risen properly, and the work surface is neatly arranged.
With a flick of his wrist, Xu Liang cut the dough into small, evenly sized pieces and rolled them into thin sheets that were thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges.
Wrap the filling in brown sugar, pinch the opening closed, gently flatten it, and roll it into a round cake of even thickness.
The sweet potsticker dough is neatly arranged on the cutting board and looks quite nice.
The frying pan on the stove was already hot. Xu Liang poured in clear rapeseed oil and placed the flatbread dough pieces into the pan one by one.
The key is to fry over low heat. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn while the inside remains raw. He keeps an eye on the stove and occasionally uses tongs to turn the flatbread over, watching it slowly puff up and the crust change from snow-white to golden and crispy.
The brown sugar melts when heated, seeping out slightly from the cracks in the crust. It then solidifies into a glistening sugar crust when it comes into contact with oil, and the sweet aroma mixed with the fragrance of the dough wafts out the window.
The aroma is enticing, and the steamed buns have a cooler, more refreshing feel than usual.
Immediately afterwards, the aroma wafted through the streets and alleys of the town.
On the other side, the steamer was already on the stove.
Three hundred spicy steamed buns and two hundred braised pork buns were stacked on top of each other, with wisps of steam rising and warming the small kitchen.
Xu Liang juggled the frying pan and the steamer, his hands and feet moving non-stop, beads of sweat quickly forming on his forehead, but his eyes remained bright.
He knew that there would be even more customers today than yesterday, especially the group of children passing by on their way home from school. The sweet brown sugar potstickers would surely win over their taste buds.
Just after seven o'clock in the morning, the glass door of the small restaurant opened, and the first wave of customers arrived as scheduled.
These were all regular customers who had arrived early yesterday, and they could smell the aroma, which was different from usual, from afar.
They peeked around inside as soon as they entered.
"Boss Xu, this smells different today. Are you thinking of something new to cook?"
The factory worker who often came to buy steamed buns squeezed to the counter and immediately spotted the golden and crispy guokui (a type of flatbread) in the pan. His eyes lit up instantly.
"The newly arrived brown sugar potstickers are very sweet, want to try some?"
Xu Liang greeted him with a smile, flipping the guokui (a type of flatbread) in his hands, the crispy crust making a slight crackling sound.
"Brown sugar potstickers? Those are a rare treat! Give me two sweet ones, plus five steamed buns and six twisted rolls. I've prepared a lot today, so let's not sell out too early!"
The enthusiasm of regular customers surged!
The moment the guokui (a type of flatbread) appeared on the scene, it attracted the attention of many people.
Someone took a bite of the brown sugar potsticker, the crispy outer layer cracked open, and the warm sugar syrup melted in their mouth, immediately giving a thumbs up.
"Authentic! Even better than what you get at a pastry shop!"
The noise gradually rose, and a long queue quickly formed in front of the counter.
The real climax arrived precisely at around 7:30.
A burst of chaotic laughter came from the street corner, accompanied by the clattering sound of backpack straps swinging.
A group of elementary school students in blue school uniforms walked arm in arm toward the small restaurant.
Some of them came to buy breakfast, while others were just passing by Xu Liang's small restaurant.
The town's primary school is not far from the street corner. On weekdays, the children usually eat steamed buns and pickled vegetables that they bring from home, or buy a cheap snack from a roadside stall.
Ever since Xu Liang's small restaurant became popular, it has become a must-pass place for them on their way to school.
Today is different; even before you get close, a rich, sweet fragrance fills your nostrils.
"Smell it! It smells so good! It's sweet!"
The little girl with pigtails tugged at her companion's clothes, quickening her pace instantly, her face flushed from running.
"It's Uncle Xu's house! My mom bought steamed buns yesterday, and they have something new today!"
The boy with the buzz cut ran the fastest and was the first to rush to the counter.
I stood on tiptoe and peered inside, my eyes glued to the golden brown sugar potstickers, my mouth watering uncontrollably.
In no time, the small counter was surrounded by children.
The little heads were crowded together, each one with an innocent face looking up, their bright eyes staring at the guokui (a type of flatbread) with great curiosity.
"Uncle boss, what's this yellow pancake?"
A little boy wearing patched cloth shoes asked timidly, pointing to the guokui (a type of flatbread).
Xu Liang listened to their children's voices, stopped what he was doing, bent down to look at the children, and spoke gently.
"This is brown sugar potsticker. It's sweet, freshly fried, and not too hot to eat. It's perfect for kids."
"It's sweet!"
The children instantly erupted in excitement. This was in an era of material scarcity.
The allure of sweets to children is unparalleled by anything else.
"I want brown sugar! I want one!"
"Uncle, I want two! My mom gave me a dollar!"
"I'd like to try it too...hehe."
The children chattered excitedly, pulling out their tightly clenched pocket money.
There were crumpled small bills and coins warmed by the palm of one's hand.
These are mostly 50 cents and 1 yuan.
It wasn't money they earned themselves; it was money given to them by adults for breakfast.
Xu Liang deliberately priced the guokui at 50 cents each so that all the children in the town could afford it.
This price is almost half the price of similar pastries at the town's pastry shops.
The children were overjoyed to hear this.
A thin, small girl carefully handed over 50 cents to the counter.
"Uncle, I'd like a brown sugar potsticker."
Xu Liang took the money, carefully selected a plump guokui (a type of flatbread) with plenty of sugar filling, and put it into a clean food-grade ethylene plastic bag.
Then, he bent down and handed it to her, whispering his instructions.
"Eat slowly, don't burn yourself."
The little girl took the paper bag and gently took a small bite.
The crispy crust crackles in your mouth, and the warm brown sugar syrup flows slowly, sweet but not cloying, with a subtle wheat aroma.
Her eyes lit up instantly, a sweet smile appeared on her lips, and she ate in small bites, not wanting to waste a single bit.
Upon seeing this, the chubby boy next to him immediately took out a dollar and shouted loudly.
"Uncle, I'd like two brown sugar potstickers! I can handle spicy food, so please give me one spicy one too!"
"The only spicy option is steamed buns!"
"Okay, then steamed buns will do."
Xu Liang smiled, packed it up, and handed it over.
The chubby boy couldn't wait to take a bite of the brown sugar potsticker, hissing and gasping for breath from the heat, but he still kept eating and shouting indistinctly.
"It's so delicious! It's even better than the sweet candy we eat during Chinese New Year!"
The boy who tried the spicy steamed bun frowned slightly from the numbness and broke out in a sweat from the spiciness, but he still kept chewing it, exclaiming that it was delicious.
"It smells amazing! Even better than the spicy snacks from the convenience store!"
Children's satisfaction is the most straightforward form of praise.
The counter was filled with the sounds of children chewing and exclaiming incessantly.
Some children don't have enough pocket money, so they can only buy one, which they hold in their hands and eat carefully.
However, some children came in groups, sharing the guokui (a type of flatbread) with each other, taking bites one after another, and getting along very well.
The youngest child couldn't reach the counter and was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.
Seeing this, Xu Liang took the initiative to step forward, handed him the guokui (a type of flatbread), and even reached out to pat his head.
The child looked up, revealing an innocent smile, and said in a childish voice.
"Thank you, Uncle."
This scene was witnessed by passersby, who then laughed and discussed it amongst themselves.
"Xu Liang is a kind-hearted young man with excellent skills and a loving attitude towards children. No wonder his business is so good."
Women taking their children to school were also drawn by the aroma and stopped in their tracks.
"Boss, pack me two brown sugar potstickers so I can take them home for my elders to try."
"I want three sweet ones, and two braised pork buns too. The smell alone is enough to make my mouth water."
The presence of adults made the queue at the counter even longer.
While taking care of the children, Xu Liang efficiently packed the food into bags and made change, keeping the frying pan and steamer running non-stop.
She was so busy she barely had time to rest, but she always had a smile on her face.
He paid special attention to the children, and if any of them didn't have enough money, he would smile and give them a small piece of flatbread.
When encountering crowds and jostling, patiently reassure them and get them to line up properly.
In his view, these children are the vitality of the town and the most genuine repeat customers of his shop.
Soon, the school bell rang faintly from the direction of the school, and the children reluctantly said goodbye and hurriedly ran to school with their schoolbags on their backs.
Along the way, many children carried brown sugar potstickers and ate them as they walked, filling the entire street with their sweet aroma.
The children who didn't get to try it all inquired about it and agreed to come and queue up together early the next morning. In no time, Xu Liang's brown sugar potstickers quietly spread among the elementary school students.
After the student crowd dispersed, workers heading to work, middle-aged women buying groceries, and elderly people taking a stroll arrived one after another.
The elderly prefer brown sugar potstickers, which are soft, sweet, and not gritty.
The main reason is that they have bad teeth and prefer to eat soft foods. If they were younger, the elderly could definitely eat hard foods.
Moreover, young people love spicy food to satisfy their cravings.
Housewives buy various flavors and pair them with steamed buns and twisted rolls to make breakfast more substantial for the whole family.
"Boss Xu, your guokui (a type of flatbread) is just what I wanted! My granddaughter loves sweets, so I'll come buy it every day from now on!"
An elderly woman with gray hair held a guokui (a type of flatbread), eating it with relish and praising it continuously.
"This spicy guokui (a type of flatbread) is really satisfying; eating it with steamed buns keeps me full all morning!"
The worker left satisfied, carrying a bag full of food.
The steamed buns and rolls in the steamer were disappearing at a visible rate, and the flatbreads in the frying pan were snatched up as soon as they were fried.
The two hundred guokui dough pieces that Xu Liang had prepared in advance were quickly almost gone, and the three hundred huajuan (steamed buns) and two hundred baozi (stuffed buns) were also about to run out.
The customers' enthusiasm far exceeded his expectations. Even with double the stock prepared today, it still couldn't stop the continuous flow of people.
Around 8 o'clock, the last guokui (a type of flatbread) was sold, and the steamer was completely empty.
The latecomers looked at the empty counter with regret on their faces.
"Sold out again? I went out of my way to buy this guokui!"
"Boss Xu, you'd better prepare more tomorrow, these guokui (a type of flatbread) are selling like hotcakes!"
The guests, talking about getting up early the next day, gradually dispersed, and the bustling street corner that had been noisy all morning finally returned to calm.
Xu Liang slumped onto the bench and let out a long sigh of relief.
My muscles were aching all over, and it was difficult to even lift my arm. My fingertips were red and swollen from touching the hot pan for so long.
But his heart was filled with peace.
After a long pause, he began to tally up the day's revenue.
The loose change on the table was piled up in a small heap, with banknotes and coins mixed together.
Three hundred spicy steamed buns were made, generating a revenue of one hundred and fifty yuan.
Two hundred braised pork buns were made, generating two hundred yuan in revenue.
One hundred brown sugar and one hundred spicy guokui (a type of flatbread), generating one hundred yuan in revenue.
The total is four hundred and fifty yuan.
Looking at this number, Xu Liang's heart skipped a beat.
From just over sixty dollars on the first day, to two hundred and forty-five dollars yesterday, and then to four hundred and fifty dollars today, revenue has increased sevenfold in just four days.
In an era when a worker's monthly wage was just over three hundred yuan, his income in one morning was equivalent to an ordinary person's monthly wage of one and a half months.
In his past life, he worked himself to the bone, running his small shop day and night, earning only thirty or forty yuan a month. Now, he makes a fortune just by making breakfast.
Xu Liang stood up, walked to the door, and looked at the sunlit street.
He once felt that this street had trapped him for life.
Looking back now, the bluestone road is clean and tidy, and the neighbors have friendly smiles.
This is where he rose to prominence after his rebirth!
This small restaurant is no longer an abandoned, run-down shop.
It has become a landmark for breakfast in the town, a place for adults to satisfy their cravings and a sweet haven for children.
The new week has just begun, and the popularity of brown sugar potstickers is just the beginning.
He will continue to innovate and launch more snacks that suit the tastes of the townspeople, so that the business of his shop can reach new heights.
Xu Liang wanted those adorable children to be able to eat sweet brown sugar potstickers every day and go to school happily.