Chapter 957: Chapter 402: Life Isn’t Easy, Meow Meow Sighs! Dundun: In the End, I Still Have to Earn Money to Support the Family! [Asking for Monthly Ticket]

Lin Xu smiled and said to Shen Baobao:

"Then I’ll make Xianghe meat pies for you."

"Xianghe meat pies? Great, great, Dad loves those meat pies the most. Since you’re making them, I’ll have him and Mom come to the shop to try them later."

Lin Xu said with a smile:

"You’re really a stumbling block on their path to losing weight."

"It’s called filial piety, isn’t it? I worked so hard to make this, isn’t it only right for the elders to taste it? You carry on, Lin Baobao, I’ll go make a call."

Lin Xu agreed and went back to the kitchen to continue his work.

Xianghe meat pies and Mendin meat pies use different dough.

The dough for Mendin meat pies is similar to that used for pancakes, moderately soft, and requires some salt during mixing to increase the dough’s elasticity.

After it relaxes, there’s no need to knead it; just roll it out and divide it like making dumplings.

But the dough for Xianghe meat pies is much softer, nearly like the dough for deep-fried dough sticks. Only with dough this soft can one pound of dough wrap two pounds of meat filling.

The common feature of both types of meat pies is the high filling-to-dough ratio.

Lin Xu first prepared the dough for Mendin meat pies, then took another bowl to start on the dough for Xianghe meat pies.

He added high-gluten flour to the bowl, a small spoon of salt to increase elasticity, and a bit of baking soda.

A small amount of baking soda can enhance dough elasticity, providing better stretch.

The major challenge in making Xianghe meat pies is how to roll the pie thin and even without breaking the skin while containing ample meat filling.

This process demands high requirements for the dough.

So during kneading, baking soda is added to make the dough as stretchy as ramen.

After adding salt and baking soda, he mixed it briefly by hand, then added warm water around thirty-five degrees Celsius in a pound-to-eight ounces water ratio.

With this much water, it’s impossible to form dough bits first and then knead it into dough, because it’s almost a batter consistency when stirred lightly with chopsticks.

Once the water and flour are completely mixed with no dry flour left, he dips his hands in oil to knead and slam the dough in the bowl.

The reason for oiling the hands is to prevent dough from sticking.

After a few slams, the surface of the dough in the bowl becomes much smoother. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He brushed a layer of oil evenly on the surface and set it aside to relax and rest.

While Lin Xu was busy in the kitchen, Shen Baobao was texting Shen Guofu:

"Dad, today Lin Baobao is making one of your favorite dishes, want to come over and try it?"

Shen Guofu immediately replied:

"Is he making Braised Pork Ribs?"

Braised... Pork Ribs have become your favorite dish since when?

"No, it’s a type of meat pie."

"Mendin meat pies? Lamb pies? Golden beef crispy pies?"

Shen Baobao felt a sudden generational gap with her dad, even though he posted on Moments a few days ago saying he wanted Xianghe meat pies, how come he’s forgotten?

To prevent their father-daughter chemistry from declining further, Shen Baobao decided not to keep him guessing:

"It’s Xianghe meat pies, you love them!"

"That was before. I bought a so-called authentic Xianghe meat pie a few days ago, and it cured my craving."

Can cravings be cured?

"Was it terrible?"

"Yes, extremely bad, the dough was super thick, the meat filling very little, and it had cabbage leaves mixed in."

Shen Baobao imagined this kind of meat pie, it was entirely different from the Xianghe meat pies in her memory:

"Isn’t that false advertising?"

"Not really, that person’s name was Xianghe, many people were fooled."

Ha, this Xianghe meat pie is comparable to sea cucumber fried noodles.

"Dad, come by after work to try it, I promise it’s not made by someone named Xianghe."

Hum hum, since he’s tasted the dark version of Xianghe meat pies, he should definitely try Lin Baobao’s authentic craftsmanship.

Actually, Shen Baobao didn’t know if Lin Xu’s meat pies were authentic; she only knew that anything Lin Xu made was of high quality, no arguments allowed!

Since delicious food is at the shop, Shen Guofu naturally didn’t want to go home to eat a low-fat meal.

He sent a somewhat hesitant message:

"Of course I want to go to the shop, but your mom..."

"I’ll handle Director Han, just come to eat after work."

Shen Guofu felt warm inside when he saw this message; what a good daughter.

Such a filial child must be rewarded.

He must think of something to reward the kid later.

After settling Dad, Shen Baobao sent Han Shuzhen a picture of Dundun in a little suit attending class with Professor Ren:

"Mom, Dundun misses you!"

Han Shuzhen wasn’t seeing patients that afternoon, she was organizing medical records in her office. Upon seeing this message, she replied instantly:

"He looks quite smart in his little suit. Why does he miss me?"

The daughter rarely sends messages proactively, must be up to something; better be wary.

"I was just organizing photos from our last hike, and Dundun saw your picture and came over for a kiss. He must be wondering why Grandma hasn’t visited him."

In terms of telling tall tales, Shen Baobao is undoubtedly the top.

After sending this message, Han Shuzhen, who was waiting to expose her daughter’s little scheme, felt warm inside:

"I’ll come to the shop after work to accompany Dundun, you guys must have tired him out, the little guy isn’t happy, I’ll spend more time at the shop today."

Ho ho, mission accomplished!

Handling Dad and Mom is just this easy.

After replying to the message, Han Shuzhen called Shen Guofu:

"We’ll eat at the shop for dinner, remember to pick me up after work."