On the third day of the Lunar New Year, our family of three came to my husband's second uncle's house as usual to pay New Year's greetings to this wealthy relative in the town. Although our relatives were unable to participate for various reasons, we did not forget our original intention and came to celebrate the New Year alone.
The second uncle's family is financially wealthy, the residence is luxurious, and the quality of life can be seen. Half of the family's ingredients are purchased, while the other half is homegrown. In order not to cause trouble to my second aunt, we repeatedly declined her invitations. However, this made the second aunt a little unhappy, as if we looked down on rural people. In the end, we had to reluctantly accept her hospitality, and when the 8 dishes were put on the table, my husband whispered to me, "I didn't buy enough gifts." ”
Let's savor this 8-course meal full of flavor.
1) Dry pot goose.
In Lujiang, the goose meat necessary for the New Year was served. This time, the second aunt cooked a large pot of dry pot goose, and the goose raised by her own family was not tender but very delicious. The goose meat is not greasy and has a full taste, making it an excellent accompaniment to wine.
2) Parsley mixed with peanuts.
Coriander mixed with peanuts is a unique Lujiang delicacy. After blanching the coriander in boiling water, add a little salt and sesame oil and mix well, stir-fry the peanuts until fragrant and mix with the coriander. The rich layered aroma, from the aroma of sesame oil to the special aroma of coriander, to the aroma of peanut rice, is intertwined in the mouth and has an endless aftertaste.
3) Japanese cabbage.
Harmony cuisine is one of the characteristics of Lujiang, symbolizing "harmony and beauty". The second aunt's previous experience in running a restaurant made her Japanese dishes particularly delicious. This time, the Japanese dish is made with eggs, tofu skin, fried tofu, onions and other ingredients, and the texture is soft and juicy, and it is sprinkled with chopped green onions.
4) Braised stinky mandarin fish.
Stinky mandarin fish is one of the famous dishes of Lujiang, and its unique stinky aroma is unforgettable. The meat of mandarin fish is delicious, although it is not tender, but it has a long aftertaste in the mouth, exuding a unique smell, which makes people have an endless aftertaste.
5) Three fresh pots.
Each place has different flavors of three fresh pots, and as a former restaurant owner, the choice of the second aunt naturally meets the taste. Egg dumplings, quail eggs, beef balls, pork balls, and chicken complement each other in the chicken soup, making for a mouth-watering delicacy.
6) Stewed soybeans with pork rind.
The peculiarities of this dish are intriguing. Why are soybeans also served? After the second aunt fried the soybeans until crispy, they were stewed together with the washed pork skin, chili peppers, ginger slices, and green onions.
7) Pig's trotters with salt and pepper.
Salt-and-pepper pig's trotters are a favorite dish of my husband, and it is also the proud work of my second aunt. The pig's trotters are blanched, boiled, fried until the skin is crumpled, and finally mixed with salt and pepper. The pig's trotters made by the second aunt are fragrant, chewy, and not greasy at all.
8) Great harvest.
Surprisingly, the second aunt also specially prepared a bumper harvest. My favorite ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, and dates, fill the table, making me feel more intimate. Maybe the gifts are a little insufficient, but this harvest has made me deeply feel the taste of home.
At the dinner table on the third day of the Lunar New Year, we tasted the food tradition of Lujiang and felt the unique charm of the second aunt's cooking. Although the gifts are a little insufficient, at this moment of reunion, the deliciousness of the wine and food is enough to satisfy.
In this laughter, the banquet on the third day of the Lunar New Year finally came to a good end. The sumptuous food and warm family atmosphere make this reunion day particularly unforgettable. And when I look back on this meal, I can't help but feel a lot of emotion.
The difficulties and busyness in life often make us ignore the strong family affection around us. On the third day of the Lunar New Year, reuniting with relatives and tasting the Lujiang food skillfully cooked by the second aunt seems to be a compensation for the hard work of life on weekdays. Even though the gifts seem a little inadequate, they seem to be insignificant in this moment of happiness.
Each dish is like a painting, outlining the taste of home. The layering of coriander mixed with peanuts, the unique aroma of stinky mandarin fish, and the crispy taste of pork trotters with salt and pepper have all become indelible memories in my heart. This rich meal is not only a kind of food enjoyment, but also a nostalgia for the taste of hometown.
And the bumper harvest is a perfect end to this feast. The sweetness of sweet potatoes, the tenderness of corn, the crispiness of peanuts, and the sweetness of red dates, each ingredient is a celebration of a good harvest. In such an atmosphere, everyone can't help but sigh that the years are quiet, and the happiness of reunion is so simple.
This feast on the third day of the Lunar New Year not only filled our stomachs, but also filled our hearts with warmth. The taste of home and the strong nostalgia make me miss Lujiang more and more. At this beautiful moment, sighing at the preciousness of family affection, we are satisfied and looking forward to the next year's reunion. Life may have hardships, but the joy of reunion makes people grateful and sighs that time flies.
At the time of parting, waving goodbye to my second uncle's loved ones, my heart swelled with endless gratitude for this reunion. This is not only a sumptuous feast, but also the warmth of the family and the continuation of friendship. In the new year, let us cherish this warmth and look forward to more good times together. Thank you for the joy of this day, appreciate the deliciousness of this table, this is a big reunion banquet that people will remember.