Chapter 223 Dumplings on the Winter Solstice
"Then...it's up to you! Tie them up with ropes. We'll cut down a suitable small tree, tie up the deer cubs, and carry them back!" Yue Feng gritted his teeth and did it. Decide.
Compared to wild boars and roe deer, deer are actually of higher value in the eyes of hunters and ordinary people.
Deer is full of treasures, including deer skin, deer meat, deer bones, antlers, deer sinews, three-piece sets, and even deer fetuses, deer blood, hearts, various internal organs, etc. These things all have different values. , in an era of scarce resources, I can put it away, but I am reluctant to throw it away.
"This thing is easy to handle, just put it down and tie it up? Look at me!" Xiao Tao got the order, removed the rope from the sledge and headed towards the blind red deer Zaizi walked over.
When Xiao Tao walked up to Malu Zaizi, he didn't lift his legs or hug his waist, but directly hugged Malu Zai's head.
Feeling that someone was approaching, the red deer cub tried to move to avoid but couldn't get away, so he could only whine helplessly.
"Put it down!!!" Xiao Tao broke off the deer's head and neck, used both waist and horse to push hard, and then used a stumbling block under his feet to bring down the deer very neatly. .
Brothers Xiaowen and Xiaowu immediately surrounded him with a rope. They tied the hemp rope with a diamond knot and tied the four hooves together to complete the work.
After tying up the deer, Uncle Zhao also cut the pole for lifting the deer. He pierced the inside of the deer's legs and one person on each side could easily lift it.
"It's getting late, let's go back and have a meal at home. Why don't you go home before dark today! Today is the winter solstice, so it's time to eat dumplings. My family must be waiting for you!" Uncle Zhao said .
Hearing the words winter and eating dumplings, Yue Feng's heart moved slightly for no reason.
Yes, today is the Winter Solstice. Eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice will not freeze your ears. This is a custom passed down from generation to generation. In previous years, no matter how difficult the family life was, you still had to eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice.
However, people like myself have families, relatives, parents and brothers, and can lively eat dumplings when they go home. What about Uncle Zhao?
I am alone in the mountains with only a few red dogs for company. It feels so uncomfortable to celebrate the winter solstice every year.
"Let's go back, uncle! I brought you flour when I went up the mountain. Let's go back early and eat dumplings at your house! Let's go down the mountain when we're full!" Yue Feng said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Uncle Zhao was slightly startled. His originally calm eyes suddenly became brighter after hearing Yue Feng's words.
"Okay, if you have this intention, the old man will not refute your face! Let's go back and make dumplings!"
Seeing that Uncle Zhao agreed, Yue Feng put the gun on his shoulder and the satchel He handed it to Uncle Zhao: "Uncle, please help carry the gun and satchel. Please hold this dog, Xiao Tao and I are dragging the sledge. Xiaowen Xiaowu, you guys carry the deer. Let's go back to the uncle's house to make dumplings." Eat!”
“Let’s try the master’s craftsmanship”
In this way, there were five people, the old man led the way with the dog, and Yue Feng and the other four young guys took today's prey and rushed home in a mighty manner.
With the old man leading the way, Yue Feng and the others returned to Dixiangzi without encountering any setbacks.
When we got home, it was just past noon, and there was still time.
The fresh venison that was just harvested today, the old man used a knife to pick out the fat and thin parts, cut off a few pounds, and then chopped it into minced meat on the chopping board. Fresh vegetables are in short supply in winter, but Uncle Zhao I have dried wild vegetables at home in summer and autumn. I boil water to soak the dried vegetables, then mix them with the freshest venison to make the stuffing. Then add soy sauce, pepper water and other seasonings. The meat stuffing of the dumplings is ready. .
When cutting the meat and mincing the meat filling, Xiaowen was not idle either. He is a poor boy from the countryside. He has been doing the work of making bread and dumplings at home since he was a child, so he is no stranger to it. The dough is mixed.
The dough and stuffing were ready, but the rolling pin became a problem.
"Shit! These dumplings are so chewy that I can eat them. There is no rolling pin at home!"
Since Uncle Zhao went up the mountain, there has been no rolling pin in the cellar at all. When Yue Feng and the others purchased supplies, they didn't consider such niche items, so they felt a little cramped at the moment.
Hearing this, Yue Feng felt uncomfortable again. Uncle Zhao had never eaten dumplings in all his years in the mountains.
“Yes! We don’t have a rolling pin, so we’ll just make do with a wine bottle!”
Xiaowen also felt the same emotions as Yue Feng, but he didn't respond. He looked around the room and his eyes fell on an empty liquor bottle.
This wine bottle is somewhat similar in shape to a beer bottle. The bottom part is round. Although it is a little thick, it is just for rolling out dough. It is not a delicate job, so it can be used.
"Yes, then use the wine bottle to deal with it! I will go up the mountain later and bring a rolling pin with me!" Yue Feng also agreed.
Xiao Tao also winked at the side and immediately took the wine bottle over and poured some water to wash the bottle.
Looking at the younger generation who were all trying to make dumplings just for this meal, Uncle Zhao had a lot of complicated things in his eyes. He was holding a basin of meat fillings in his hand and was stirring it with chopsticks. I stirred the meat filling vigorously without stopping. I didn't know what I thought of, and I was stunned.
"Uncle, it's all done, let's start!" "Hey! Hey! Okay, let's start!"
Five gentlemen, except Xiao Tao who is not very good, the other four They all know how to make dumplings. One person rolls out the dough and three people make the dough. Soon dumplings of different shapes were placed on the curtain.
After making enough dumplings for three covers, Xiao Tao also added water to the pot and started a fire.
Waiting for the water in the pot to boil, put the dumplings on, and soon the room was filled with white mist of steaming water. On the upper half of the roof, nothing could be seen clearly.
Yue Feng can cook meat-filled dumplings in three pots according to the dumpling cooking experience he learned from his mother, Meng Yulan.
The so-called opening of three pots means that after the dumplings have been boiled, continue to heat the fire and boil again. At this time, use a spoon to pour a spoonful of cold water over it. When it boils for the second time, add a spoonful of cold water, and then continue to boil the fire. When it is boiled for the third time, the dumplings are floating on the water and their bellies have turned over. Take one out and taste it to make sure the filling is cooked. Then you can take out the dumplings and start cooking.
According to this method, when the dumplings are cooked, if you don’t have a colander, use a spoon to connect the bowl, take out the dumplings one by one and put them all on the curtain to cool.
In a short while, the first pot of dumplings was cooked, followed by the second pot.
Repeat the previous process. After all the dumplings are cooked, the five people put down their work and go to the table to eat.
Xiaowen poured half a bowl of vinegar into a small bowl, pushed the middle of the dumpling aside, and placed the vinegar bowl in the middle.
"The jealousy is here too! Master, let's start eating! We have to go on the road after dinner, so we won't drink! Don't be picky!" Yue Feng said softly.
Uncle Zhao looked at the white and round dumplings in front of him, at the vinegar bowl still swaying with ripples of vinegar, and at the green faces sitting around the table, even the tough man couldn't bear it. My eyes are red.
"Wait! Today is the winter solstice, I'm going to set off a firecracker outside the door! We're not bringing firecrackers!!" When Xiao Tao spoke, he was already rummaging in Xiaowu's satchel next to him. Soon he took out the firecrackers half hung with red leather.
This firecracker was bought at the village canteen. It is two sizes smaller than Mareko, but it is enough to scare a beast or something. I usually carry it in my backpack when I go up the mountain.
After finding the firecrackers, Xiao Tao pulled out a sparkling branch from under the pot and carried the firecrackers out the door.
Soon, the sound of crackling cannons was heard on the edge of the yard outside the cellar. Xiao Tao happily entered the house, bringing a gust of cool breeze.
“Okay, let’s light up the cannon, celebrate the winter solstice, and eat dumplings!!!”
This seems to be the first time Yue Feng has eaten these dumplings stuffed with venison. The alternate parts of fat and thin are added After eating a little pickled wild vegetables, the plain taste is very bright. After dipping it in vinegar, the taste has an extra layer of flavor. It has a meat and egg in one mouthful, and it is so fragrant.
They were all young men who had been busy all morning. They were already hungry. The three-covered dumplings were eaten by five people in one meal, and there were about twenty left. Uncle Zhao can also heat up the dumplings for another meal in the evening.
A meal of dumplings stuffed with venison was eaten by all five people without drinking. Uncle Zhao rarely said a few words during the meal. He just ate the dumplings slowly and looked at the four devouring them in front of him. Big boy.
After they had eaten and drank enough, a few people cleared away the dishes and bowls that needed to be washed. It was already around 2:30 in the afternoon. If we walked back at this time, it would definitely be dark when we got home.
Yue Feng left half of the venison of the male red deer he shot with Uncle Zhao, and the other blind red deer cub. Uncle Zhao let Yue Feng and the others take it away, so he returned They killed Yue Feng and the others.
However, there was a slight disagreement about how to deal with the injured falcon.
According to Yue Feng’s idea, if the injured falcon wants to recover from its injuries as quickly as possible, it should be brought down the mountain, and then Yue Feng sews a hat and puts it on, and serves it with good food and drink every day. , it won’t take long, it should be ready in about ten days.
But Uncle Zhao felt that he could take good care of the eagle, and he had nothing to do most of the time in winter. The injured eagle still had a companion by his side.
Yue Feng also understood the old man's mood, so he immediately left the big black eagle's feet and sleeves to Uncle Zhao. After the winter solstice, it was estimated that the eagle had recovered from its injuries. Yue Feng took the time to go up the mountain again and brought up the hat, fake bait and other equipment used by the Swift Eagle to Uncle Zhao.
Since he had to come to Uncle Zhao's place again inside and outside, Yue Feng didn't worry about these things. After the injured eagle bolt was healed and opened twice, he left it to Uncle Zhao to take care of him.
After handing over the trivial matters, the four Yue Feng brothers embarked on their way home.
Return along the original route, go down the mountain ridge from Woniu Mountain, turn a few turns and then turn to Chaiji Road, and then follow Chaiji Road all the way down the mountain. Although the journey is long, a young man who is well fed and drunk can bear it. After a while, he went down the mountain with a rich harvest of prey.
...
While Yue Feng and his brothers were hunting deer in the mountains, on the other side, in the staff dormitory of Fengcheng Hongxing Coal Mine, Yue Shan and his wife Chen Hong were sitting across the table, and the atmosphere was a little tense. cold.
"Isn't it just the winter solstice? We finally have a day off from work, and you still want to go back to your hometown? What's there to see in your hometown? Your parents are not very old, and your younger brothers and sisters are at home! Let's go back and return We have to cause trouble for them! We have to go back and forth for dozens of miles and have to go to work tomorrow!”
(End of this chapter)