Chapter 401: Language Barrier
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The most crucial step in baking bread was kneading the dough, a task that required about thirty minutes of handwork. Gu Zi gathered the ingredients, washed and dried her hands before starting. Before she began, she decided to check on her little girl. As she approached the doorway, she spotted her playing by the pile of river sand.
The little girl was playing with an unusual sophistication, squatting there, not directly grabbing the sand with her hands, but instead using a stick to poke at it. It was evident that even at her age, she was a little princess who loved cleanliness!
Upon seeing her mother approach, the little girl stood up, offering the stick to her mother as an invitation to join in her play. Gu Zi, unruffled, accepted the stick and squatted beside her, playing for a few minutes. The little girl was tickled pink.
After ensuring her daughter was thoroughly entertained, Gu Zi set down the stick and lifted her up. They headed towards the faucet to wash her little hands. “Lele, let’s wash our hands until they’re nice and clean. Then you can watch some TV while mommy prepares something delicious for you and daddy to eat! ”
Lele listened to her mother’s words, attempting to mimic them, but she could only manage two or three words at a time. Longer sentences were still a challenge for her, and Gu Zi had to guide her word by word.
Gu Zi harbored a vague suspicion that her child might have a language barrier. She resolved to find time to take her to the hospital for a check-up.
After all, the experiences of the Su family’s children hadn’t been easy. Lele was still very young, barely of speaking age, and the impact on her was significant.
Lele’s prolonged inability to speak was undoubtedly influenced by environmental factors. Gu Zi knew she couldn’t solely rely on her own efforts to teach her to speak. A medical examination would help identify the specific cause and provide a targeted solution.
Moreover, when the time came for the check-up, Gu Zi planned to bring the eldest and second child along for a comprehensive physical examination. This would allow her to better understand their health status and how to take care of them more effectively.
Gu Zi jotted down these thoughts on paper, then went upstairs to input these plans into a computer document to prevent herself from forgetting.
She then went downstairs, turned on the television, and adjusted the channel. She had Lele sit on the sofa with a small biscuit, allowing her to eat while watching. Once Lele was settled, Gu Zi returned to the kitchen to start Imeading the dough.
To make a bread that’s soft and elastic, another important step is to prepare the “Tangzhong” or water roux in advance. This is one of the secrets to baking good bread.
Gu Zi had prepared the Tangzhong the night before as she had planned to test her homemade oven today.
She retrieved the Tangzhong from the refrigerator, pouring it into the large bowl designated for kneading dough. Following this, she added milk, sugar, salt, milk powder, and eggs. Lastly, she incorporated high-gluten flour and yeast powder, commencing the process of kneading the dough.
This was a task requiring both skill and physical strength. By the time Gu Zi had finished kneading the dough, her hands were so sore she felt as if they didn’t belong to her.
Of course, lunch couldn’t consist of bread alone. Even if Gu Zi and Lele could fill their stomachs with it, there was no way Su Shen, a grown man, could be satiated with just that.
So, after Gu Zi finished kneading the dough and lit the fire in the earthen oven, she took out the prepared pork belly from the refrigerator, intending to roast it in the earthen oven to create crispy pork belly.
In addition, she washed some tomatoes and corn. The tomatoes were small, farm-grown ones she had bought at the market earlier. They were a mix of red and yellow, their colors mingling together beautifully. Gu Zi could already imagine how tempting they would look once roasted. The corn was from Aunt Zhang’s house, and since there was still some left, it would be perfect for roasting.
Gu Zi pondered the cooking method for a moment, then suddenly thought how wonderful it would be if she had some rosemary. This herb, known for its calming, digestive, and heart-protective properties, was one of the staple seasonings in any household.
Gu Zi remembered rosemary having a scent similar to pine. Not only was it often used in Western desserts, but it could also be added to meat dishes and soups to enhance the flavor and remove any gamey taste. It could even be used in grilling meats. Fresh rosemary could be used to make tea, paired with steak to cut through the richness. Its uses were simply too numerous, and Gu Zi found herself in dire need of it.
Gu Zi had previously looked around the local area and market but hadn’t found any rosemary seedlings or seeds for sale. She planned to take the opportunity to visit the city and buy some to plant in small pots at home, which would be both aesthetically pleasing and practical.
Half an hour quickly passed, and Gu Zi added peanuts, walnuts, raisins, red dates, and dried flower petals to the well-risen dough. She kneaded and shaped the dough, finally placing four football-shaped dough pieces onto the iron plate. She made a cut on each piece with a small knife, then carried them out, ready to be baked..
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