Chapter 16
The process of making braised goose is very complicated and time-consuming.
First is the marinating. The goose is cleaned thoroughly, then soaked in clear water with wine, scallions, ginger, and salt for over three hours.
The braising liquid also needs to be prepared separately. Braised goose requires a stronger braising flavor, so a lot of spices are used. These need to be tied in cloth bundles and blanched first to remove any bitter or herbal tastes.
Take some old braising liquid, add an equal amount of clear water, then add the spice bundles, oil, salt, a small amount of soy sauce, and brown sugar for color. After bringing it to a boil, simmer for 30 minutes over low heat until the aroma becomes richer to make the new braising liquid.
Now take out the marinated goose, blanch it, then put it in the braising liquid. Braise for 20 minutes over medium heat until the meat becomes tender, then switch to low heat and braise for 1 hour.
Poke dense small holes all over the goose with a thin bamboo skewer so the flavors can penetrate better, then continue soaking in the liquid for 1 more hour.
Take it out and let it cool, then brush on a layer of braising oil. The skin will instantly become shiny and golden.
Ever since the family became wealthy, they could eat meat almost every day. Combined with the daily aroma of braising, the kids had become somewhat immune to food smells.
But today, they started salivating again.
"Mother," He Xiaoya said, "This braised goose smells so much better than the boiled brisket!"
Li Yao thought to herself that this was only natural, just look at how many spices were used.
"Mother, is the braising done?" Wang Xiao Si couldn't wait any longer, "Can we eat it now?"
"No."
To make braised goose taste great, there was still the most important step - the second braising.
Let it sit for a few hours, then braise again over low heat for two hours.
When taken out again, the goose skin quickly turned brownish-red. Li Yao knew it was basically successful.
Let it cool again, brush on braising oil to give it a shine and keep it moist.
By the time the 4 perfect geese were done, it was almost dawn.
The exhausted Li Yao had He Xiaoya cut up a whole goose and fill up several large plates, served with rice as breakfast.
Well begun is half done.
Eating hearty and full in the morning gives the energy and vigor for the day.
Not getting to eat the braised goose last night, none of the kids could fall asleep. But at the first bite of goose this morning, they felt the wait through the night was worth it.
"It's so fragrant! Several times more than the boiled brisket!"
"The meat is so soft, it falls apart with a light bite!" Even the usually reserved He Xiaoya couldn't hold back this time, licking her fingers with everyone else.
Li Yao was also very satisfied with her braised goose. After breakfast, she took the remaining three geese to the market, leaving her third son to man the boiled brisket stall, while she went to the restaurants with Da Zhuang.
There were four restaurants at the Bai Chuan Market - He's, Liu's, Zhang's, and Jing Shui Lou.
Li Yao planned to partner with all four, as that would give higher sales volume.
But ideals are plentiful while reality is sparse.
At the first three restaurants, the proprietors didn't even let her finish speaking before having the waiters escort them out.
"A peddler of offal wants to talk business with us? Laughable!"
Da Zhuang was indignant at being kicked out like this, and even a little discouraged.
But Li Yao didn't care one bit, and went straight to the last one.
He's Restaurant.
"Owner, do you have a moment?" "Isn't this Mrs. Li who sells boiled brisket?" Manager Fan looked up as he opened the doors for business, immediately recognizing Li Yao. "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to discuss a small business proposition with you."
"Sure," Manager Fan was delighted, and courteously came out from behind the counter. "Please, upstairs." He called to a waiter, "Bring tea!"
Li Yao's boiled brisket was already renowned at the Bai Chuan Market, and sold very well at nearby markets too. Manager Fan knew this clearly.
He had bought it to eat before, and had his chefs try to replicate it, but they could never match the fragrance and flavor.
Now that Li Yao openly wanted to partner with him, how could he miss this opportunity?
Sitting upstairs in a private room, Da Zhuang took out half a braised goose. With just one whiff of the rich aroma, Manager Fan started regretting things.
After all, he was a seasoned restaurant owner, and had lost sensitivity to delicious food long ago. Yet now, before even tasting it, he couldn't stop salivating.
It was really embarrassing.
While silently gulping down his drool, Manager Fan scrutinized the half goose.
The reddish-brown color and glossy sheen looked very tempting. Poking it lightly with chopsticks easily sunk into the meat - it must be extremely tender, yet the exterior was still perfectly intact.
Just this was already beyond the reach of many master chefs.
"Manager Fan," said Li Yao, "Why not try some?"
"Of course, I'll have them cut some pieces right away."
Manager Fan first chose the breast and leg meat that was hardest to infuse flavor into, then tasted the belly that absorbed it most easily.
After carefully sampling each part, he gently put down his chopsticks.
"What do you think?"
Manager Fan pondered briefly before replying, "I'm afraid my limited education prevents me from articulating it well. I can only say, this is the most delicious goose meat I've ever eaten!"
Hearing such an evaluation, Li Yao knew the deal was sealed.
Next was discussing the pricing and quantities. After slaughter and braising, the goose would shrink by 40%. And with the extra spices used, the cost per jin of finished product was around 45 wen.
The offal could also be sold at the same price.
Li Yao asked for 100 wen per jin, earning 55 wen profit per jin. Each goose could earn around 400 wen.
Manager Fan didn't hesitate at all before agreeing to this price.
"I'll take 3 geese per day," he said. "If it suits you, I can take one today to try first."
Li Yao knew right away that wouldn't work.
Trying with one goose first, then waiting for word-of-mouth to spread, sales volume would take at least several days to pick up.
Since this was a long-term partnership, Li Yao felt imparting some business secrets would be mutually beneficial.
After hearing Li Yao's idea, Manager Fan was so shocked his jaw hung open. In his twenty years as owner, he had never heard of this method to attract customers.
How did this Mrs. Li come up with it?
"Excellent, let's do it this way!"
So he bought up all the geese, keeping half to sell in the restaurant, and cutting the other half into tiny pieces and piling them on a large platter at the entrance.
"Don't miss out while passing by!"
"He's Restaurant new dish - Li's Braised Goose from Hewayuan Village, free tasting!"
"Limited quantity, first come first served!"
...
Hearing of something free, passing pedestrians crowded around.
The waiters maintained order while spearing a small piece onto bamboo sticks for each person.
"Amazing fragrance!"
"This is really goose meat? How can it taste this delicious?"
"The portion is too small, can I get one more?"
"One per person, no second helpings," the waiters quickly advertised, "If you want to eat your fill, please come inside, we guarantee you'll eat enough!"
In less than half a shichen, news that He's Restaurant was offering a new signature dish spread across the entire Bai Chuan Market.
Those who tasted it raved about the braised goose, praising it as dragon liver and phoenix marrow. Those who hadn't tried it rushed over when they heard it was free.
The entrance to He's Restaurant was packed shoulder to shoulder the whole time.
But to the owners of the other three restaurants, this spectacle was a huge joke.
"Giving it away for free, however much they eat, won't get a single one to actually buy wine and dishes there. What a waste."
"I wonder if He's owner knows about this, he might vomit blood from anger."
"I see Manager Fan getting fired very soon for this."