Episode 18 Making Bamboo Shoots

Guan Rong wore an old lotus-root pink cotton-padded jacket today, trimmed with tiny, faded flowers at the collar and cuffs. It looked like it had been washed many times but bore not a single patch—an indication that she treasured it in her daily life. However, the color made her complexion look even sicker, giving her an unhealthy appearance.

She was still carrying a bamboo basket, standing somewhat awkwardly at the entrance to the Jing Family's small courtyard. Seeing Hua Xiaomai emerge from next door, she smiled and approached, pushing her basket forward, "Xiaomai sister, look, I'm afraid I have to trouble you today!"

Hua Xiaomai glanced down into the basket and saw it nearly full with winter bamboo shoots that had been shelled, steamed, and partially dried—she had a good idea of what was needed. She smiled back and said, "Is this about making preserved bamboo shoot oil and bamboo shoots?"

Guan Rong appeared a bit embarrassed as she lowered her eyes and moved closer, gently pulling on her, "Indeed, my parents praised the winter bamboo shoots I bought the other day and enjoyed them stir-fried with meat for two meals. Coincidentally, my mother knows how to extract oil from them, so she steamed the rest with the shell to dry and squeeze out the oil. But it would be a waste to throw away the dried shoots after extracting their oil. I suddenly remembered the dried bamboo shoots you mentioned, and after speaking with my mother, she asked me to come over and ask how to make them."

Hua Xiaomai picked up some of the winter bamboo shoots from her basket to examine them.

The bamboo shoots, which had been steamed and dried, lacked the pearly whiteness and luster of freshness; they were slightly gray but tightly segmented. Pinching them with her fingernail, the flesh was soft and delicate, perfect for making dried bamboo shoot strips.

"With the recent bad weather, it's only today that the sun has finally come out. My parents are worried that if these bamboo shoots are left out, they might get moldy and spoil," Guan Rong said softly.

"Making dried bamboo shoot strips isn't difficult; it just takes some time," Hua Xiaomai calculated in her mind and then looked up to smile at her, "Also, we'll need an open space to build a clay stove with bricks or stones, and we should find some thoroughly dry pine and cypress branches…"

"We have all these things ready at home!" Guan Rong's eyes lit up, "Last month, we made sausages and the clay stove we built in the backyard hasn't been dismantled yet, and there's no shortage of pine and cypress branches. Xiaomai sister, if you're not too busy, can you come back with me now to make these dried bamboo shoots? My parents are really anxious!"

Hua Xiaomai didn't immediately answer and turned to glance at Hua's second aunt leaning against the gate.

"Since Guan Family's sister needs your help, go with her. Just make sure to come back early," Hua's second aunt nodded slightly.

Since this sister arrived in Fire Knife Village just over a month ago, aside from cooking a reunion dinner for Qiao's Paper Shop, she had spent the rest of her time busying about at home. A fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl should have some friends. Guan Rong's parents are honest folk, well-liked in the village. If Hua Xiaomai could become closer to them, perhaps she could gradually improve relationships with other villagers and spare her family the incessant gossip of busybodies.

Hua Xiaomai hadn't planned on going out today, but seeing her second aunt in a seemingly good mood made her consider beating around the bush to ask about the "infertility" issue, but then she thought better of it.

She was an unmarried girl, after all, and it wasn't her place to ask such things. Besides, it would be of no help. Rather than fretting about it, it would be better to quickly find a way to earn more money and consult a reliable doctor for her second aunt. Perhaps, things weren't as bad as they seemed.

"Okay." She nodded at her second aunt and turned to follow Guan Rong to the Guan Family home on the southern side of the village.

Making dried bamboo shoot strips wasn't a complicated process, but it required constant attention from start to finish. Because Guan Rong's family's winter bamboo shoots were already dried and oiled, it saved a lot of work. Hua Xiaomai just needed to control the heat to roast the shoots to perfection, and the task would be successfully completed.

The shelled bamboo shoots were cut in half, strung onto bamboo sticks, and roasted over an open fire for a full day and night. Adding some pine and cypress branches to the firewood would make the roasted bamboo shoots taste even better. For those who preferred stronger flavors, a layer of soy sauce could be brushed onto the surface of the bamboo shoots. This would darken the shoots slightly, but they would taste even more delicious when eaten. Not until the thicker end of the bamboo shoots had become as hard as iron, was the bamboo shoot jerky considered done; it made for a good addition to both meat dishes and soups.

"There, just like that."

Hua Xiaomai was half-squatting by the Guan Family's backyard stove, carefully turning the bamboo sticks above the fire. She turned her head toward Guan Rong and said, "You must keep turning them like this, or else the intense fire could char the shoots; but you also have to make sure the fire keeps burning vigorously. If it's not strong enough, the shoots will turn yellow and taste bad when roasted. I've already brushed them with soy sauce, so you don't need to add anything else, just make sure they're well roasted."

"Are you saying that we have to stay here for an entire day and night?" Guan Rong moved a small stool beneath Hua Xiaomai, frowning as she bent over.

Hua Xiaomai squinted smilingly, "That's right. Putting in more time means we'll get to enjoy delicious food, which is quite worth it, don't you think? Don't worry, I know your dad and mom are busy during the day. I will keep watch here, and you guys could take over at night. By tomorrow afternoon, the bamboo shoot jerky should be ready."

Guan Rong tucked away a stray lock of hair by her ear, "You're just adding to your troubles... "

"Don't say that, Guan Family's sister," Hua Xiaomai waved her hand, "I'm very interested in making food myself. I'm more than happy that you asked for my help! Besides, my second sister always says that I'm idle at home just making mischief, so helping you out also saves her from worrying all day long."

"Then don't be so polite. I'm two years older than you, just call me Rong Jie," Guan Rong said, and went into the house to pour a cup of tea, placing it at her side.

On that day, Hua Xiaomai was busy in the Guan Family's home until dusk before leaving. When she left, the bamboo shoots on the sticks had started to become slightly tough. She couldn't rest easy and told Guan Rong's parents again and again to keep watching the fire the whole time before she hurried back home.

Unexpectedly, the next evening, Guan Rong showed up again.

"Xiaomai sister!" As soon as she entered, she happily grabbed Hua Xiaomai and gleefully said, "The bamboo shoot jerky is done, and it really tastes great! My dad, mom, and I watched over it all night, never leaving it unattended. This afternoon, as soon as it was taken off the fire, my dad couldn't wait to slice off a small piece to try. Guess what, without even cooking, one bite and you get a mouthful of sweetness!"

At that moment, Hua Xiaomai was helping her second mom collect jujubes. Hearing this, she put down her work and smiled, "That's great! I saw there were quite a lot of bamboo shoots yesterday. Gather them in baskets and enjoy them slowly. When the New Year comes, you can add a dish to the feast!"

"Right!" Guan Rong vigorously nodded, then said, "My dad mentioned that he had tasted this bamboo shoot jerky once a long time ago, but our local area doesn't have this method. After that, he never had the chance to taste it again, and was praising it all the time! Now that we've learned your method, my dad is thinking of buying more bamboo shoots to make a lot of jerky. We could give some to relatives and neighbors to let everyone try something new!"

"...Is that so?" Hua Xiaomai's heart stirred, suddenly lifting her head, "Rong Jie, are you saying that this bamboo shoot jerky isn't sold locally?"

"Yeah, I've never seen it on the market," Guan Rong said, firm in her certainty as she shook her head.

"Then what do you think..." Hua Xiaomai's mind was racing, "If we make several large baskets of bamboo shoot jerky and sell them at restaurants, taverns, and markets in the county, do you think people would buy them?"