Chapter 70

With Grandmother’s approval, a heavy weight finally lifted from Ke Xiaohong’s heart. After a good night’s sleep, she felt much more energetic and began teaching Eldest Uncle’s Wife how to make mung bean cakes and scallion pancakes. To make the mung bean cakes, the beans must be soaked overnight until they double in size and the outer green film can be rubbed off easily. After removing the skins, the green kernels are blanched for two minutes, drained, wrapped in cheesecloth, and steamed for half an hour. Once done, the beans are mashed into a paste, placed in a pan with soybean or lard, and stir-fried to remove excess moisture. Finally, sugar and a little maltose are folded in. The paste is then pressed into molds, and the mung bean cakes are ready. Eldest Uncle’s Wife took a bite. "Daya, these mung bean cakes are even better than the ones at the supply and marketing cooperative. They’re full of bean flavor and not overly sweet. They’re delicious."