Preparing the pheasant chicken

Chapter 12

Su Ying entered the kitchen to find the water already boiling. They had only one cooking place so she had to prepare everything one at a time which was stressful. The bowls were all broken and chipped as well as the furniture. The house was a complete poverty stricken house. Once again she changed to herself "I have to make money".

Going to where she dropped the basket she took out the pheasants placing them on the ground. The kids were immediately attracted by the clucking sound of the chickens but dared not come closer afraid she would be angry. Seeing this she sighed lightly. The kids have been traumatized by their mother that they there not even breathe in her presence. But she was here to soothe them and make them feel safe. At the thought she called out to them to come closer.

"You both come over here and help me with the chicken. The elder one take the two young chicken and tie it securely at the backyard which the younger one gets me a kitchen knife so I can kill the pheasant and prepare it before your dad comes back so we'll can eat" Su Ying ordered but they children remained motionless.

The younger finally summoned the courage to ask her a question " Mother are you going to kill the pheasant and cook it so we'll will eat including father?" He sounded shocked making her wonder why. But soon she remembered why. The original host had stopped cooking for the family after the incident happened. She would prepare the meals but only hers leaving the kids starved. So probably seeing her doing this truly shocked her.

"You heard me right so stop talking nonsense and go do your jobs". Su Ying answered him. Immediately the scrambled to do their tasks still in disbelief. As the younger brought the knife she killed the chicken which was more fatter and had more flesh and threw it into the bucket. Pouring hot water into it she prepared to pluck off it feathers but was met with the kids eager but hesitant eyes so she left the job for them.

"You both should help me pluck the feathers while I go prepare somethings inside for cooking". Su Ying told them as she walked back into the kitchen to prepare things. When she came back they had neatly plucked the feathers placing them aside. Satisfied with their job she praised them.

"Good job. You did well so from now on I will leave the job of the pheasant to you. Gather the feathers and go spread it at the backyard to dry. After that feed the chickens and then come back while I go prepare".

Although curious of what she wanted to do with the feathers they refrained from asking any questions and obediently went to complete their tasks happily. Su Ying entered the chicken and began preparing the pheasant chicken.

Firstly she cut it open and removed the innards like gizzard, intestine and liver before washing it. Then the head and feet were also washed with a bit of ginger to get rid of smell before placing it in the pot. She didn't have the necessary equipment so she wanted to prepare steamed pheasant with ginger. It was a nutritional dish which was good for the kids. She planned to add the lake water from her space to check out the effects. With that in mind she began preparing for the meal. With the first step done and the next was to marinate the chicken.

She didn't have rice wine but luckily had a bit of salt she found while rummaging through the cupboards. So with the salt she chopped the scallions and ginger and then marinated it all over the chicken before steaming.

On the bamboo steamer basket she found she placed the pheasant in there and chopped another ginger and garlic and placed it on top of it leaving it to steam for a while.

Next she steamed it over boiling water for 20-25 minutes till it was tender and soft while adding a bit of lake water to it. The scent became over powering and appetizing that she found herself drooling. The effect of the lake water was indeed miraculous making the pheasant which was added no condiments taste so delicious.

Taking it off the stove she started serving because it tasted more good while hot. Looking around she met the kids standing at the kitchen door looking hungrily at the food. The younger one was already drooling. On spotting her they flinched and ran out leaving her speechless. She first of all got the manageable plates and served the food on the only good chair they had using it as a dinning table. Leaving some for her cheap husband to eat when he was back she made her way out to call them.

The children were still outside drawing whatever on the ground while pretending not look at the kitchen. The younger was already on the verge of tears from the smell.

"Brother it smells so good. I want to eat but it's alright I can just smell it and I will be fine. Brother smell it too, doesn't it smell also good?".

The older had no choice but to smile sadly at his brother who couldn't even eat it. He wished their mother could at least give his brother some. He was fine without getting any to eat but his brother was his concern. Soon their mother came out and called out to them.

"You both come over here and eat. Why are you still standing there? Aren't you hungry. Come inside before it gets cold".

The two dumbfounded kids only stood up from their daze after their mother went back inside to find they food served on the table steaming hot. They felt tears blur their eyes as they saw the chicken meat in their plate.

"Go on. Dig in, they food is good when but it's hot so be careful to avoid burning yourself. It's quite delicious...mm.. tastes fantastic. Su Ying chuckled delighted as her squinted in satisfaction at the taste of the food.