Chapter 8: Chickens Hugging Each Other

"Grand Mommy, I want to try cooking this 'Chicken Together'. It's such a funny name."

"Yep, dear, it's a funny title indeed, but I think this is for weddings or for engagement ceremonies."

Both of them were sitting together at the dining table. A part of the table was full of those papers from the hidden chamber. In front of Beauty were her laptop and a printer/scanner beside it. Each of them was looking through every paper and arranging the titles alphabetically. Beauty then scanned and printed them on a new set of papers, so she had both soft and new hard copies.

"I'll buy a clear folder tomorrow and place all of these aged notes in it to preserve them well," Grand Mommy decided.

"I agree. Buy two of them so I can place these new ones in a clear folder as well. Easier to read and easier to keep."

"Hmmm, I agree, just make sure to give me a copy, too. I'll buy three."

"Ok, Grand Mommy. Oh, by the way, I'll go with you ... I need some ingredients for the 'Chicken Entangled' recipe."

"What? 'Chicken Entangled?' Haha, that's funnier and better." Then they continued with their work until noon time.

. . . . . .

Next day, both of them were wearing aprons, busy in the kitchen. Beauty was handling the dressed chicken slowly while making sure everything would look fine after boiling. This dish was so tricky. The two birds must be entwined together by a thick thread, making sure they would not get separated while boiling. At the same time, they should remain in an upright position inside the stock pot. They should be placed in a smaller pot to hold them in position.

"OK, we're done here for now. I'll prepare the vegetables and the platter to make them look entangled lovers in a lily pond."

"Dear, why make this dish look that way? Just place them on a platter of lettuce leaves. That will be enough," Grand Mommy interjected with an enquiring face, saying 'why trouble yourself more'?

"Grand Mommy, I don't want a simple presentation for this recipe. As you've said, this dish is for weddings or engagements ... or simply, for lovers. I want to portray the lovers' affection for each other on a platter, producing a complete food painting as a centerpiece on the couple's table."

"OK, I'm not good with that. Just do as you wish. So what I'm going to do next?"

"Just make sure to adjust the fire to medium heat when it starts boiling. It should boil for at least an hour so that the taste will seep deep into the meat while it becomes tender, and … make the sauce thick enough to coat the entangled lovers when we place them on top of the platter."

"Haha, entangled lovers; they're just dead chickens. Your mind is full of imagination," the elder protested.

"If I'm not good even on that part, then I won't be your granddaughter," jokingly said Beauty.

"Ooohh, you're buttering me up. Haha, I'll buy you a cup of ice cream later." Grand Mommy laughed heartily while speaking.

They laughed together, enjoying the bonding.

. . . . . .

At dinner time ...

"Hmm, smells good, looks luscious and sumptuous; but how are we going to eat this? These chickens are hugging each other. It feels bad to tear them apart." Grand Daddy's face was feigning concern, but he was really giggling inside, with the choice of words he used.

The three of them were laughing at the way the old man portrayed the dish. The two birds were like standing together with the breasts facing each other in a shallow bowl that would be enough to keep them vertical. The skin was glistening orange while the sauce was dripping to the bowl under it, making the two birds look like bathing in a pool of orange sauce.

Three layers of big lettuce leaves were arranged like standing petals of a flower, surrounding the shallow bowl where the two birds were placed. Heart-shaped tomatoes and carrots served as additional garnish around the lettuce. Small lettuce leaves were formed like small water lilies. There were six of them, three on each side of the chickens.

The platter was blue, and so the whole thing depicted water lilies in a pond where two birds sat on the biggest blooming water lily.

"Here, let me serve you both since you two are the lovers now, and I don't want to tear you apart." She was laughing as she sliced a portion from the breast of the left bird in a sloping manner that would look like half of a heart and gave it to her grandma. She also did the same to the other bird and gave it to her grandpa.

"How's the taste?" asked Beauty with a face of anticipation.

"Hmmm, I'm busy. I need more so I can savor its flavor. Give me more." Grand Daddy ordered her shamefully.

"You, shameless old man. Just answer Beauty properly," said grandma.

"Hahaha, it's OK, Grand Mommy. Just let him enjoy this moment of bliss. I'll taste it after I give more slices to the both of you." She gave them two more slices each.

Beauty sliced a bite and ate it directly. "Hmm, delicious as expected. The sauce is so thick, and it clings to my taste buds. Not too sweet and not too salty. Perfect." She had to wipe her lips with her tongue to cleanse it from the sticky sauce.

"Lots of talks; just keep on eating. Food is for eating and not for talking," The old man scolded Beauty.

"Also, don't forget: you're still on a strict diet for you to lose more weight. Lionel will be disheartened if he learns that you will eat too much chicken meat tonight." Grand Daddy joked as if telling Beauty 'don't eat a lot, but I'll eat them all'.

"Grand Daddy, you're so unfair! Just for tonight, let me enjoy my Great-Great-Grand Mommy's recipe."

Laughter was heard after the youngster spoke.

The two chickens were mostly eaten by grandpa and Beauty. Grand Mommy only ate a little.

The dish was so satisfying, making them proud of the person who made the recipe.