Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 257 The flower cake ordered by the county magistrate is ready

As soon as the weather cleared up, people who had been stuck at home for a few days started going out again, regardless of whether the road was muddy or not.

Although there were not many people on the street, it was slowly becoming lively, and the business in the shops was better than the previous two days.

Shen Yu finally felt relieved. It seemed that he had to pay attention to the weather in the future. If the weather was bad, the preparation of ingredients had to be adjusted accordingly.

At noon, Shen Yu hid in the big kitchen alone and began to concentrate on making the blessing flower cakes ordered by the county magistrate.

Everyone knew that Shen Yu had started making flower cakes, so whenever he needed to enter the kitchen, he would try to be as quiet as possible.

On the contrary, Shen Yu looked relaxed.

She said to everyone, "Don't be nervous. This is dough, not snow. It won't melt. Just do what you need to do. I won't be affected."

After Shen Yu said this, everyone relaxed a little.

But these people had never seen the flower cakes that Shen Yu had made before.

Although she had tried making flowers successfully two days ago, she couldn't help but worry for her when she thought that she was going to steam a ten-inch big flower cake.

Shen Yu kneaded and pressed the dough according to the pattern he had already thought of. He was busy for more than half an hour before he stopped.

Carefully place the prepared flower cake in the prepared steamer, cover the steamer lid, and start steaming.

The shape of the flower cake this time is mainly elegant and delicate. Just put it in the pot with cold water and let it rise naturally during the steaming process.

The advantage of this is that the dough will not over-proof, allowing the finished flower shape to become proportionally larger without expanding to the point of deformation.

In order to calculate the time accurately, Shen Yu even lit some incense sticks.

When the time is up, immediately remove the steamer from the fire, simmer for a while, and then carefully open the lid of the steamer.

Shen Yu looked at the light-colored flowers in the steamer, which were as beautiful and natural as real flowers. She finally let go of the worry in her heart, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.

When the heat dissipated and the dough flowers in the steamer took shape, Shen Yu carefully took them out one by one.

The base of the flower cake is in the shape of a lotus, which can only be described as being quite standard, delicate and exquisite.

Because egg white was added to the dough this time, the tips of the petals are stained with pink lotus petals, which are delicate and shiny, just like a freshly blooming lotus.

The steamed flower cake is not very big, with only two layers. The filling in the middle is red bean paste and candied bean filling. The hot flower cake exudes a sweet aroma.

Shen Yu made the second layer into the shape of a flower basket.

The outside of the entire flower basket is made of dough rolled into thin strips, woven into the shape of interwoven vines, and then wrapped around it.

After steaming, the gaps between the woven strips are filled, the colors are soft, and the branches are full, just like the rattan flower baskets commonly seen on the market.

Shen Yu put some candied fruits in the flower basket as a base, including longan, candied dates, dried apricots, peach preserves, etc.

Some thumb-shaped steamed buns made of dough are piled on top to serve as flower paste in the flower basket, and then a few orchids are fixed at the mouth of the basket.

A large light pink lotus is placed in an orderly manner as the main flower, with a few lilies and turmeric flowers dotted around it.

The entire surface of the flower basket is covered with flowers and branches, a cluster of flowers, but because of the clear colors, it does not appear bloated and gaudy, but has an elegant and pure beauty.

After everything was done, Shen Yu took two steps back, tilted his head to look at the flower basket carefully, then stepped forward and made slight adjustments before nodding with satisfaction.

She carefully moved the flower cake to a prepared round wooden tray, then placed it on the sealed cupboard in the corner of the kitchen to prevent it from being accidentally touched by people coming to use the dough board.

After finishing all the work, he realized that the market had already closed and the shops were also closed. However, no one came to the kitchen and Shen Yu didn't notice that so much time had passed.

Seeing Shen Yu pick up the flower cake and put it in the cupboard, Yutao, who had been walking around outside for several times, was the first to enter the kitchen, followed by Li and the others.

Several people stood closely together one step away from the closed cupboard, admiring the flower cake which looked like a real flower basket.

Li looked at it for a while and sighed, "No wonder the old man gave you a gold ingot as a reward. How could anyone not like such a beautiful flower cake?"

Jiang also said, "Miss Yuzhi, you are so skillful. This flower cake looks like the real thing. The county magistrate will definitely praise it."

The flower basket was probably made bit by bit by herself. Shen Yu felt that it was different from a real flower basket. There were a few small details that were not done well. If she makes it again next time, she must pay attention to it.

Shen Yu smiled and said, "I hope so. This is also the first time I make this kind of flower cake for offering to Buddha and praying for blessings. The color is so light, there shouldn't be any problem."

Speaking of this, the ladies of the Li family all have their own experience.

Everyone gave Shen Yu a positive reply: "No problem, the flowers for offering to Buddha should be light and soft in color."

Jiang added: "Lotus and orchid are both elegant and noble flowers, and are most suitable for offering to Buddha. Peonies, peonies, and crabapples bloom vigorously and richly, and are best used to celebrate birthdays."

Everyone was standing in the kitchen and talking when they heard a knock on the courtyard door. Zhou Dalang, who was standing outside, hurried to answer the door.

Then Qi Xi and a familiar-looking servant walked in, one holding a stick and the other carrying a square bamboo box.

When Shen Yu and the others saw Qi Xi coming, they knew that he was here to get the flower cakes, so they hurried out from the kitchen to greet them.

Qi Xi smiled and bowed to Shen Yu and Li, and introduced them to everyone: "This is Brother Liu Shun, who is also my follower of the young master."

"Today I came to get the flower cakes. I was afraid they might get bumped into, so I specifically asked him to come with me so we can carry them back together."

Then he said to Shen Yu: "The road has been difficult these past two days, so we came here early on purpose."

"I wonder if the girl has made the flower cake yet. If not, we will just wait here."

"Don't be anxious, young lady. Take your time. We have nothing else to do today, so just finish this one task."

Shen Yu nodded and said, "You are very thoughtful. It's right to come early. The flower cake is ready. Come and take a look to see if there are any changes you want to make."

Because Qi Xi came with Liu Shun, he didn't dare to be as comfortable as he usually was here. He said yes in a polite manner and followed Shen Yu and Liu Shun into the kitchen.

Shen Yu was standing aside. Qi Xi looked at the dough board. There was only the flour bag that he had seen before. On the dough board were rolling pins, dough cutters and other things. There was no sign of the flower cake.

Shen Yu smiled and pointed at the top of the half-person-high cupboard in the corner. Qi Xi and Liu Shun were stunned.