Zhuang Zhou, a representative figure of Taoism in the Warring States Period, told a story: a chef slaughtered cattle for Liang Wanghui. He is very skilled in slaughtering cattle, and the knife moves flexibly in the cracks of cattle bones without any obstacles, and it is very rhythmic. Liang was shocked and praised his superb skills. The chef said that he had known cows for 19 years and fully understood their structure.
Liu An invented tofu;
Liu An, the king of Huainan, went out to play, and suddenly saw eight old people coming down from Beishan across the street. Although they must be chest-length, they are full of energy and legs. Liu An was so scared that he suspected that he was a fairy, so he asked him for the elixir of life. The old man said that he had eaten food made of ground soybeans. Liu An did the same thing and got tofu. Since then, tofu has spread among the people.
The Origin of Dongpo Meat
Su Dongpo (1036-101year) was one of the eight great poets in the Tang and Song Dynasties. Lyrics and Xin Qiji are unique; Calligraphy and painting are also unique. Even in the art of cooking, he is good at it. When he offended the emperor and was exiled to Huangzhou, he often cooked in person and tasted it with his friends. Su Dongpo's best dish is braised pork. He once wrote a poem to introduce his cooking experience: "Slow fire, less water, and enough fire is beautiful." However, it is said that this is an interesting thing that happened when he returned to Hangzhou for the second time as a local official to cook Dongpo meat named after him.
At that time, the West Lake was basically submerged by weeds. After he took office, he mobilized tens of thousands of migrant workers to clear farmland and dredge the lake port, piled up the dredged silt and built a long embankment, and built a bridge to dredge the lake, so that the West Lake could reappear and get water irrigation. This piled long dike has improved the environment, not only brought water conservancy benefits to the masses, but also added the scenery of the West Lake. Later, "Xiao Chun Su Causeway" was formed, which was listed as the first of the ten scenic spots in the West Lake.
At that time, people praised Su Dongpo for doing this good thing for the place. I heard that he likes to eat braised pork. During the Spring Festival, they all gave him pork to express their wishes. Su Dongpo received so much pork that he felt he should share it with thousands of migrant workers dredging the West Lake. He asked his family to cut the meat into cubes, cook it with his cooking method, and distribute it to every household together with wine according to the roster of migrant workers. When his family cooked it, they understood "sending it with wine" as "burning it with wine". The braised pork made in this way is more crispy and delicious, and everyone who eats it praises Su Dongpo's unique and delicious meat.
Beggar chicken:
According to legend, Emperor Qianlong accidentally strayed into the wilderness when traveling incognito in the south of the Yangtze River. A man named Huazi felt sorry for him, so he gave him a beggar chicken, which he thought was delicious. Sleepy and hungry, I naturally think this chicken is particularly delicious. After eating, I asked his name and called him Flower Head. I am embarrassed to say that this chicken is called "beggar chicken", so I praised this chicken as "rich chicken". Gan Long was full of praise for chicken.
The beggar later learned that this tramp is the present emperor. This beggar chicken became a "rich chicken" because of the emperor's golden mouth. Up to now, it has also become a famous dish in Yalou.
Four Joy Meatballs
190 1 year, the Qing court and Eight-Nation Alliance signed the "treaty of humiliating the country", and Empress Dowager Cixi who fled to xi 'an decided to return to Beijing. When passing by Henan, she ordered to taste the special dishes of Henan. Local officials asked the chef to present a "Four Seasons Meatball" to represent the fullness of the four seasons. "Lafayette" was very satisfied with this dish and repeatedly praised it: "It tastes good." Local officials hoped that Cixi and her party would pass smoothly, but something unexpected happened. It turned out that Cixi and her party were accompanied by thousands of people and thousands of cars. It is a shame to escape from Xi 'an, but she wants to put on airs and asks people to build colorful sheds and build roads along the way. Local officials took this opportunity to collect food and money, and the people were miserable. What is even more exasperating is that when the Cixi motorcade passed by, it even had to "put the chicken in a cage, tie the dog to a rope, and prohibit cattle and sheep from entering the circle". A chef said to himself when he was making meatballs for the four seasons: "Blow up this Cixi who is a disaster to the country and people!" Someone took over and said, "Cixi is so heartless that she should be told to stop!" But cursing "Lafayette" at that time was a crime of genocide. So people used the homonym of Cixi to change the name of Fried Cixi to Fried Sixi, and changed the name of Empress Dowager Cixi to Meet Sixi. Nowadays, the four-person happy party has entered the homes of ordinary people. People change materials according to their own tastes. If shredded sea cucumber, shredded shrimp and shredded water chestnut are added and mixed well before frying, the soup will taste fresher and be more nutritious. It can be used in all seasons, and it is suitable for people of all ages in Xian Yi. As for the meaning of "Four Happiness", people have several opinions according to their own wishes. For example, in the past, someone said, "Happiness, wealth, longevity and happiness are the four great pleasures."