Chapter 102: It’s So Delicious, I Can’t Stop Eating It

Chapter 102: It's So Delicious, I Can't Stop Eating It

In the countryside of this era, most families live in poverty. When hosting wedding banquets, they typically invite six or seven guests at most, or sometimes as few as two or three.

Deng Shirong, however, holds a high status and has a wide network of connections in the village. When his family hosts a wedding banquet, it's not just a few tables—it's a full fifteen tables. While this pales in comparison to the dozens or even hundreds of tables seen in later generations, in this era, it's already a remarkable feat!

Although there are many dishes today, most of them were prepared in advance, requiring only the final touches. With Deng Shirong and his daughter working together, along with several helpers who know their way around the kitchen, the dishes are served quickly.

The meal began promptly at 11:58.

Once the guests were seated, the village helpers started serving the dishes.

At wedding banquets in Bobai County, the most honored guests are undoubtedly the bride's escorts, so they are served food and wine first.

As the delicious dishes were brought out one after another, both the groom's relatives and friends and the bride's guests couldn't help but drool!

At a wedding banquet, people start eating as soon as the dishes are served. No one waits for all the dishes to arrive before digging in. So, the eager guests greeted their tablemates and then dove into the food with gusto.

During this time, Deng Shirong stepped out of the kitchen and addressed the guests: "Dear relatives, today's dishes are plentiful. Please eat slowly. There are still many delicious dishes to come. Don't fill up too quickly, or you'll miss out on the best parts later!"

The guests acknowledged his advice and slowed down their eating and drinking.

As the guests began eating, Deng Yuntai and Zhang Xiuping started serving tea to each table. After the guests drank the tea served by the bride and groom, they were expected to give a small monetary gift, usually ranging from a few cents to a couple of dollars.

At a typical banquet, by the time the bride and groom finished serving tea, most guests would have already finished eating, with only a few lingering over their drinks.

However, Deng Shirong had hinted that the best dishes were yet to come, so the guests eagerly anticipated them. Even though the earlier dishes were already rare delicacies to them, they ate more slowly, saving room for the treats Deng Shirong had promised.

They didn't have to wait long. The seafood dishes Deng Shirong had specially prepared were soon served one by one.

The first dish was the spicy crab. Knowing that many people can't handle too much spice, Deng Shirong made it only mildly spicy.

Few guests had ever eaten crabs before, and even fewer had tasted flower crabs. When the spicy crabs were served, everyone was stunned after their first bite!

"Oh my God, this crab is so delicious!"

"The flavor is indescribable. It's perfect with wine or rice!"

"Can the little crabs in the river taste like this?"

"Probably not. Those tiny crabs don't have much meat."

The table reserved for the bride's escorts was equally impressed.

Aunt Zhang praised, "My father-in-law's cooking skills are truly amazing. I knew it when he visited us last time, but I never imagined that such an ugly-looking crab could be turned into such a delicious dish."

Aunt Zhang Qi nodded as she ate the crab: "This tastes incredible. No wonder my father-in-law said the best dishes were coming and told everyone to save room."

My third aunt, her mouth shiny with oil, couldn't handle the spiciness and had to stick out her tongue to cool down occasionally. But no matter how spicy it was, she refused to put down the crab. That's how delicious it was.

Others also praised the dish while eating. The spicy crab instantly won over every guest at the banquet.

After the spicy crab came the pan-fried prawns, which also received unanimous praise.

Next up were the steamed sandworms.

While crabs and prawns can also be found in rivers, albeit in slightly different varieties, sandworms are another story. Their raw appearance is particularly unappealing, resembling earthworms. When the guests saw them the night before, many were hesitant. If Deng Shirong hadn't assured them of the unique flavor, many might have refused to try them.

Now, the steamed sandworms were finally served.

When the guests saw the steamed sandworms, they were shocked. The dish looked completely different from the unappetizing raw version they had seen the night before. Those who trusted Deng Shirong's cooking skills picked up a sandworm with their chopsticks and took a bite.

Immediately, they were won over by the fresh, fragrant, and uniquely sweet flavor of the sandworms. The combination of the tender texture and the savory sauce was irresistible.

Seeing this, the other guests at the table also reached for the sandworms. Even those who had been repulsed by the raw sandworms the night before gritted their teeth and tried one.

After tasting the authentic steamed sandworms, everyone at Deng Yungui's table was full of praise.

Production team leader Deng Yunjun exclaimed, "It's unbelievable that something so ugly can taste so delicious!"

Deng Yungui nodded in agreement. "As the old saying goes, you can't judge a book by its cover. It seems the same applies to sandworms!"

Deng Yunfeng, the head of the construction department, added, "I heard from Uncle Jiu that sandworms are sold for only 30 cents per pound. It's a shame they're not available in Double Prosperity. We'd have to go to Mountain Pass Commune to buy them. Otherwise, it'd be great to have them occasionally to spice up our meals!"

Deng Yungui sighed regretfully. "Exactly! They taste amazing, and the price isn't bad. It's a pity they're not sold in Double Prosperity. People living by the sea are really lucky!"

In Bobai County, no matter the occasion, the final dish at any banquet is always braised pork. Once the braised pork is served, it signals that all the dishes have been presented.

After the three seafood dishes were served, the braised pork soon made its way to the tables. Deng Shirong and his eldest daughter also emerged from the kitchen.

Deng Shirong went around to greet each table: "Dear relatives and friends, please enjoy your meal and drinks!"

In addition to congratulations, the guests all praised Deng Shirong's cooking skills, especially the three seafood dishes, which they hailed as heavenly.

After greeting everyone, Deng Shirong returned to the table where his family was seated and prepared to eat.

(End of this chapter)