Zhang Zhaohong: Kitchen Chemistry (Part 2)

Zhang Zhaohong: Kitchen Chemistry (Part 2) Having been in the kitchen for a long time, Hua Lao learned to do chores, make soups, fry rice, fry oil pans, etc., and later became a second chef. Just now...

Zhang Zhaohong: Kitchen Chemistry (Part 2) Having been in the kitchen for a long time, Hua Lao learned to do chores, make soups, fry rice, fry oil pans, etc., and later became the second chef. At the beginning, the master chef asked him to cook some food for the guys to eat, and then use the "jet burner" to chain the pots with gas, and then go to the actual cooking. When he heard this, he was so happy that he actually brought the cabbage heart bought by the boss to "test the pot". He rolled up his sleeves, turned on the fire, and said to me while cooking: "You know, first blanch the vegetables in hot water above 80 degrees Celsius, and the chlorophyll pigment will be retained for a long time, so that the fried dishes can be full of color, aroma and taste." After a burst of chaotic "kitchen music", he nervously brought the dishes to the table. The guys tried it and shouted loudly: "It's too chemical. How come the tender cabbage hearts become old and salty as soon as they are in your hands!" Seeing that the nerd said "there are vegetables in front of you", the master chef said to him: "When cooking, the salt cannot be put in early. The fire on the stove is strong and the pot must be turned quickly, otherwise the fried things will become old and tough over time." Seeing Hua Lao's embarrassment, I performed a "neutralization reaction": "Didn't you say that the scientific name of salt is sodium chloride?" What kind of hydrophobic group does it have? Adding salt too early will remove the moisture in the vegetables, so the cabbage sums will become overcooked. The master glared at me: "What is hydrophobic or not? If you don't work hard and the boss doesn't increase your labor, then that's the real 'hydrophobic'!" He turned to Hua Lao again: "Take your time and combine theory with practice to unleash your potential." "I don't know when, but the master chef has changed his impression of the nerd. In fact, many new immigrants will know after many years that it is not easy to switch out after entering the kitchen industry, even if you have become a restaurant owner. But Hua Lao has already had his own ideas. He has always had an indissoluble bond with chemistry. From the moment he set foot in the United States, he worked during the day and studied at night and in the morning. He told me that in the periodic table of elements, the hydrogen atom ranks first. It is simple because there is only one electron in the periphery, but it is also complex and can be combined with other elements to form countless organic and inorganic compounds. Some are quite stable, such as H2O water. Molecules, etc. The spectral lines of hydrogen atoms in a spectrometer are not continuous, but they have spectral lines in radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, and ultraviolet light. People should have the characteristics of hydrogen atoms, be kinetic and stable, and be suitable for various environments. In addition, other elements are divided into positive and negative values ​​based on the "standard electrode potential?" of the hydrogen atom. When some elements are oxidized, the value will decrease; after some elements are reduced, the potential will increase. It's the same as being a human being, there will be gains and losses, and sometimes losses will be gained again. People should establish their own position and strive to contribute more to society. Later, when Hua Lao had some savings, he planned to continue studying to complete his degree in chemistry. On the day he left, the master gave him his spoon as a souvenir. We all said that he felt that the heat of the furnace was not enough, so he wanted to open a new "Alchemy Furnace" so that he could "turn stone into gold" by cultivating the Taoism one day. Hua Lao said that this period of his career in the kitchen has benefited him a lot. In the "pot" of life, in addition to having to withstand high temperature fires, he also has to experience a lot of ups and downs, and the torment and tumbling can lead to success. We hope that this period of time can become his "catalyst" and inspire him to realize his ideals as soon as possible. Unexpectedly, several years have passed. That day, I received a New Year's card from Hua Lao, saying that he had passed the graduation exam, and the title of his graduation thesis was "Chemical Reactions in Cooking." . At present, he has found his ideal job. It seems that the relationship between Hua Lao and the kitchen is really over! Perhaps as he said before, people in the world are just like elements in the periodic table. Everyone has their own position and their own functions. Although it is impossible to surpass them in most cases, they are just "elements" when combined with other people and things, and they become "compounds", which can also evolve into a colorful world. Encounters and environmental changes in the world are sometimes like chemical reactions. Through inner efforts, they can cause changes in the outside world, thus producing another result, and it is often an unexpected and good result, just like Hua Lao (Part 2) (This article was published in the World Supplement of "World Daily" on January 5, 2013). http://www.worldjournal.com/view/full_lit/21286490/article-%E5%BB%9A%E6%88%BF%E5%8C%96%E5%AD%B8?instance=wjbk7