181: Chapter 180 Fried River Crab

Lu Fan looked and saw it was enough, then said to An Lan, "That's about it. These snails are enough for several meals. If we keep picking them up, our kitchen won't be able to hold them all."

An Lan straightened her back, rubbed her aching waist, and said with a hint of regret, "It's a pity we didn't catch any prey today. I even brought my Bow and Arrow. It seems hunting really depends on luck."

"It's not that easy to catch prey. It's fine, we'll come back tomorrow. Maybe our luck will explode tomorrow and we'll catch a big one," Lu Fan comforted her optimistically.

With a bountiful harvest, the two set off on the road back home.

Along the way, they chatted back and forth, imagining the evening's delicacies. Their stomachs began to growl, as if urging them to hurry home and enjoy this feast.

Back at the Shelter, Lu Fan rubbed his hands together, eager to show off his skills and turn the day's harvest into mouth-watering delicacies on the dining table.

He sent Da Hei off to play, then turned to An Lan and said with confidence, "Just wait to taste the snails and river crabs I make. I guarantee you'll be full of praise and won't be able to stop eating."

An Lan sat to the side with a smile, her face brimming with expectation as she prepared to enjoy Lu Fan's culinary performance.

Lu Fan first poured the snails out of the basket and began to process them carefully.

He picked up a pair of scissors and skillfully snipped off the tails of the snails one by one. His movements were as fast as the wind, each snip precise and unerring.

"Once the tails are snipped, you just give a light suck when eating, and the meat comes right out. It's very convenient, and it also allows the snails to absorb the flavor of the seasonings better."

As Lu Fan snipped, he patiently explained to An Lan. His serious demeanor made it seem as if he were imparting some peerless martial arts secret.

Looking at the dense cluster of snails, An Lan's scalp felt a bit tingly. "There are so many, how long will it take to snip them all? Just looking at them makes me feel dizzy."

Lu Fan chuckled and comforted her, "Don't worry, practice makes perfect. Besides, for the sake of tonight's unforgettable meal, what's a little effort? Think of it as the sweet price paid for delicious food."

Sure enough, before long, with Lu Fan's hard work, all the snail tails were snipped.

Lu Fan rinsed the snails in clean water repeatedly, over and over, until the water was crystal clear. Every snail was washed clean, without a trace of silt remaining.

"Alright, the snails are done. Next, it's the river crabs' turn."

He poured the river crabs into a large basin. Looking at these little guys waving their claws and acting all bossy, Lu Fan couldn't help but tease them.

"You were all so well-behaved when I was catching you just now, so why are you acting up again? Trying to escape? It won't be that easy."

Saying that, he picked up a brush and scrubbed the river crabs one by one. The crabs crashed around in the basin, struggling hard to escape this "danger zone," but in the end, they couldn't escape Lu Fan's "clutches."

A few naughty crabs even crawled out of the basin, but Lu Fan was quick-eyed and nimble-handed, catching them right back.

An Lan watched from the side, laughing uncontrollably. "This posture of yours makes you look exactly like a prison warden, and these crabs are the prisoners trying to break out."

"Unfortunately, they aren't Andy. No matter how much they toss and turn, they won't escape my grasp," Lu Fan replied solemnly, a confident smile on his face.

The scrubbed river crabs were neatly laid out to the side, and Lu Fan began to prepare the ingredients for deep-frying them.

He carefully took out his long-treasured lard and slowly poured it into the pot. Instantly, a rich and mellow aroma spread, filling the entire kitchen.

"Using lard to fry river crabs makes the taste absolutely superb. It's so fragrant it could make the neighbor's kids cry from craving," Lu Fan said proudly, his face beaming with love and pride for the food.

As the oil temperature gradually rose, Lu Fan carefully placed the river crabs into the pot. With a "crackling" sound, the pot suddenly became lively as the crabs tumbled joyfully in the oil, as if performing a passionate dance.

Before long, they turned an enticing golden yellow. The color alone was enough to make one's mouth water.

Lu Fan scooped out the fried crabs, sprinkled a handful of salt, and stirred gently.

He ensured every crab was evenly coated with salt. The salt grains were like a mysterious golden coat for the crabs, taking the aroma to the next level.

"Once the salt is sprinkled, the fragrance is completely brought out. It's truly the finishing touch."

After frying the crabs, Lu Fan started stir-frying the snails without a moment's rest.

He poured an appropriate amount of oil into the pot and added scallions and ginger to sauté. Instantly, the kitchen was filled with fragrance, the scent piercing right into one's nose and greatly increasing the appetite.

Next, he poured the washed snails into the pot, gave them a few quick tosses, and then added various spices.

These spices blended with the snails in the pot, creating a unique aroma. The entire kitchen was immersed in this rich scent.

"Wow, it smells so good! I can hardly stand it. This scent is about to lure out all the hunger in me."

An Lan kept swallowing her saliva to the side, her eyes fixed on the snails in the pot, unable to look away for even a second.

"Don't worry, I still have my secret weapon."

Lu Fan mysteriously took out his carefully pickled chili sauce from a corner.

"I pickled this myself. The taste is absolutely authentic. You won't find anything this genuine elsewhere."

Saying that, he scooped a large spoonful of pickled chili sauce into the pot and continued to stir-fry.

The addition of the pickled chili sauce made the snails' aroma even richer and more mellow. The color in the pot also became more vibrant and enticing, with the red chili peppers and brown snails complementing each other perfectly.

"Add a bit more water to let the snails fully absorb these flavors. That's how they become truly savory."

While adding water, Lu Fan patiently explained. Every step was filled with his dedication and pursuit of fine food.

As time passed, the sauce in the pot gradually thickened. Lu Fan kept stir-frying until the sauce was almost reduced. Every snail was tightly coated in the rich sauce, emitting a seductive aroma.

"Alright, snails are ready to be served!"

He served the stir-fried snails onto a large plate. The steaming snails emitted an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water, as if telling everyone how delicious they were.

"Mission accomplished!" Lu Fan brought the fried crabs and snails to the table, his face beaming with a satisfied smile.

"Come and try my cooking. See if it suits your taste."

An Lan impatiently picked up a fried crab and took a light bite.

With a "crunch," the crab's shell was crispy and delicious, and the meat inside was tender and juicy.

The fragrance instantly spread in her mouth, filling her entire oral cavity. The wonderful texture left An Lan enchanted.

"It's so delicious! This is the best river crab I've ever eaten," An Lan praised repeatedly, her face full of happiness and satisfaction.

"The best? Have you eaten them before?" Lu Fan asked, feigning surprise.

"Well, no," An Lan replied with a laugh. The two looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere warm and sweet.

Lu Fan also picked up a snail and gave it a light suck. The snail meat slid into his mouth, the spicy flavor instantly stimulating his taste buds. The texture was smooth and the taste was rich, making it impossible to stop.

"Mmm, the taste is just right. This pickled chili sauce really is the finishing touch, elevating the flavor of this dish by several levels."

The two chatted while they ate, their laughter echoing in the Shelter, a warm atmosphere filling every corner.

"I'm so satisfied with today's meal." An Lan rubbed her stomach, looking happy with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Of course. With me around from now on, I'll make sure you eat happily every day and raise you to be fair and plump."

Lu Fan patted his chest in guarantee, his eyes full of tenderness and doting.

After dinner, the sky had gradually darkened.

Lu Fan and An Lan sat in the yard, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

The starlight was like tiny diamonds scattered across the black canopy of the sky. A gentle breeze brushed against their faces, bringing a hint of coolness that made them feel incredibly comfortable.

"Although we didn't catch any prey today, catching so many river crabs and snails counts as a bountiful harvest," An Lan remarked with a satisfied smile.

"Yeah, life is like that, full of surprises and accidents. Maybe we'll catch a big prey tomorrow. Anything is possible," Lu Fan said with anticipation, his eyes shining with the light of hope.

The two sat quietly, enjoying the peaceful and beautiful night, their hearts full of longing and expectation for their future life.