"When sour plums melt upon tender meat,
New flavors bloom, old methods meet their feat."
Gazing at the perfectly presented dish before him, Dylan couldn't help but recite a poem before bringing the duck meat on his chopsticks to his mouth and chewing heartily.
The skin of the Sour Plum Duck had been pre-prepared to a golden crispness. Taking a bite, a faint "crunch" could be heard, followed by the tender, juicy texture of the meat within.
The duck meat had become incredibly soft and tender from long hours of slow stewing. The sourness of the plums and the sweetness of the aged sugar intertwined in his mouth, creating a taste experience that was perfectly balanced in acidity and rich in texture.
"Although inexpensive duck meat was used, the sourness of the plums helped enhance the duck's umami, making the overall dish's flavor profile even richer, allowing this cheap ingredient to exhibit a quality typically found only in premium duck meat."
Savoring the deliciousness spreading across his palate, Dylan smiled as he offered his evaluation. That sour plum sauce had greatly elevated the duck meat's flavor.
Using this method to improve inexpensive duck meat—it's quite a clever idea.
Dylan nodded slightly in his mind.
Although due to budget issues, Soma Yukihira could only use inexpensive duck meat, he had, through his understanding of cooking, somehow managed to turn it into top-tier duck meat.
It was truly remarkable.
Especially the aged sugar added at the end, which made the duck meat's flavor exceptionally mellow and rich. It tasted nothing like a fast-grown duck that had lived for only a few dozen days; it was more like an aged duck that had been raised for several years.
Excellent. Both the application of the sour plum and the addition of the aged sugar at the end effectively enhanced the duck meat's flavor.
Simply using two ingredients to bring out the wonderful taste of premium duck meat from an inexpensive one... you've truly mastered it!
Dylan didn't hold back his praise, his eyes filled with admiration for the younger chef. Although his skills were still a bit rough and unpolished in various aspects, the path he was on was the right one.
This was the benefit of having a good mentor.
Thinking of Jōichirō Yukihira, Dylan couldn't help but sigh. He himself had once gone astray, but thankfully, he had suddenly awakened in the end.
"To be able to cook inexpensive duck meat to that level... even though I was prepared, I'm still shocked. This new kid is truly something else."
Fumio Daimidō also picked up a piece of Sour Plum Duck, marveling at the rich, full flavor in her mouth, praising it silently in her heart.
The duck meat's richness lingered on her tongue. If she hadn't seen Soma Yukihira cook it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it was made from inexpensive duck meat.
Hearing Dylan's praise, Yūki Yoshino also rushed over, her face a bit serious.
She had expected this match to be a sure win, but instead, an unexpected variable had appeared. This transfer student's skill seemed to be much stronger than she had anticipated.
At the very least, her own dishes were rarely praised by Dylan.
Seeing Yūki Yoshino lean in, Dylan naturally picked up a piece of Sour Plum Duck and offered it to her lips. The young woman opened her mouth at the right moment and took a bite.
Her movements were incredibly natural.
The flavor spread through her mouth, making Yūki Yoshino tingle all over.
Opening her eyes, she turned her gaze to Soma Yukihira and said, "It's a shame. If the duck meat you used had been even slightly better quality, you likely could have beaten me. But right now, you're not as good as me."
As she spoke, Yūki Yoshino strode quickly towards her cooking station, her movements stirring the hearts of those around her.
Especially Soma Yukihira.
Soon, she arrived at her cooking station.
The pressure cooker had already been turned off, and all the steam had escaped, so it could be opened directly.
Yūki Yoshino didn't hesitate.
As the lid was lifted, a rich aroma of lotus leaves wafted out, and behind the lotus leaves was the incomparably mellow fragrance of duck.
The young woman's voice was clear. She then spread tea leaves at the bottom, poured the duck from the pressure cooker into a basin, and brought it to Dylan's front.
"The presentation is excellent, and it's fresh enough—just as expected from a freshly killed duck."
Looking at the plump, perfectly round Lotus Leaf Duck in the basin, Dylan couldn't help but praise it, reaching out to tear off the duck's right leg as he spoke.
The dark reddish-brown meat looked incredibly appetizing. As he picked it up, juices trickled down the skin, making it even more tempting.
"Lotus leaves cushion, scent wafts afar;
Wild duck's richness, like red wine, shines clear.
Grandma Fumio, please."
Without hesitation, Dylan handed the duck leg to Grandma Fumio, inviting her to taste it first.
"Since you're so courteous, I shall humbly accept!"
Though she could have taken it herself, one couldn't refuse another's kindness. Fumio Daimidō accepted the duck leg from Dylan and took a bite.
"So fragrant! Because of the addition of angelica, cinnamon, star anise, and other spices, it not only effectively removed the gamey taste of the wild duck but also enhanced its flavor."
Savoring the rich flavor of the duck leg meat, Fumio Daimidō closed her eyes.
The moment the flavors touched her tongue, she felt as if she had entered a distant, mysterious lakeside.
Morning light broke, waves shimmered on the lake, and a flock of wild ducks frolicked in the thin mist. Their feathers glinted in the sunlight with a faint metallic sheen—a purity and freedom bestowed by nature.
With the first bite of food, the lakeside scene gradually transformed into a grand banquet.
Lotus leaves gently unfolded, becoming exquisite tableware, covered with colorful vegetables and spices that weaved together a rich fragrance, like a secret garden deep in the forest, both fresh and enticing.
"Before cooking, various vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery were added. The addition of these vegetables not only adds to the duck's..."
Dylan didn't rush to eat the meat, but first tasted a mouthful of soup. Savoring the wonderful taste on his palate, he began to analyze its principles.
"Lotus Leaf Duck can be found in many regions. The cooking methods vary slightly from place to place. Some add glutinous rice, some aim for a rice fragrance, but the common characteristic is that they all have a conditioning and nourishing effect."
Putting down his spoon, Dylan looked at Yūki Yoshino, simultaneously explaining the historical background of Lotus Leaf Duck to everyone.
"Your Lotus Leaf Duck is very well made. The wild duck adds a wild quality to the dish, forming a clear contrast with the lotus leaf's smoothness and freshness. However, there's one relatively prominent issue: you didn't add enough white pepper."
"Even though it's spring now, winter hasn't been over for long, and the weather is still quite cold. This amount would be perfectly fine in winter. The effect of white pepper is warming and nourishing. Use more in winter, less in summer. Duck meat is cold in nature, and wild duck even more so."
After thinking for a moment, Dylan spoke about the dish's flaws.
"More in winter, less in summer... is the same principle also true for cooking lamb? I remember you once..."
Dylan's words made Yūki Yoshino fall into contemplation. Then, she looked up, drawing inferences and asking, her eyes sparkling with a unique light.
"Exactly. It seems you've grasped the true meaning."
Hearing Yūki Yoshino's words, Dylan nodded with satisfaction. Then he picked up another piece of meat, took a bite, and chewed heartily.
"The soup absorbed the essence of the duck meat, and the meat absorbed the essence of other ingredients. Only when the two complement each other can they reach the limits of a dish! A piece of meat, a mouthful of soup—the original essence perfectly transformed."
As he spoke, Dylan's face was filled with enjoyment. While talking, he scooped two more bowls, giving them separately to Megumi Tadokoro and Ryōko Sakaki.
Without his nod, these two had been eagerly watching from the sidelines.
Now, seeing him offer the duck meat, they immediately took the large bowls and ate heartily, expressions of pure enjoyment on their faces.
Looking at the two dishes before him, Dylan didn't hesitate to declare Yūki Yoshino the victor, then turned his gaze to a frowning Soma Yukihira.
"Soma Yukihira, you used sour plums and aged sugar to make inexpensive duck meat taste like premium duck. However, even if you maximize its potential, inexpensive duck meat has a maximum score of six points. With your current skill, you cannot make it break through that ceiling."
"Meanwhile, the premium wild duck that Yūki Yoshino bought clearly has a higher ceiling. Its lower limit is your upper limit, so your loss is completely justified."
Observing Soma Yukihira's expression and understanding his thoughts, Dylan explained.
This competition was about whose dish was more delicious, not about who could create the most cost-effective dish using inexpensive ingredients.
In terms of cooking technique, Soma Yukihira was indeed superior to Yūki Yoshino.
However, the gap between them wasn't particularly huge, so it was impossible for him to bridge such a significant ingredient gap and win.
Soma Yukihira's method of using low-grade ingredients to create high-grade dishes could at most only deal with someone like Ikumi Mito from the original series; it wouldn't work against stronger opponents.
Now, everyone has received systematic instruction from Dylan. At the very least, they are capable of perfectly bringing out the deliciousness of their ingredients.
"I understand. May I taste it?"
Hearing Dylan's words, Soma Yukihira took a deep breath, then looked at the enticingly fragrant dish before Dylan and walked over with his bowl.
"Of course. I'll serve you."
Nodding, Dylan thoughtfully took the bowl from Soma Yukihira and filled it to the brim for him, even giving him the remaining duck leg.
Taking the bowl, Soma Yukihira unceremoniously ate heartily. The exquisite flavor on his tongue made him unable to stop eating.
Because few seasonings were used, mostly for removing gamey odors, the duck meat's most essential flavor remained unspoiled, and its inherent richness and aroma were perfectly brought out.
Closing his eyes, he felt the pure taste of the duck meat flow from his tongue into his body, accompanied by a wave of warmth. His body...
"So that's how it is. I lost this time."
When he came back to his senses, the Lotus Leaf Duck in front of him had been completely devoured. The flavor lingered in his mouth, so delicious he almost swallowed the bones too.
"I'll let it slide this time. Just be more careful with your words in the future. Don't say things that might offend people. I'm not the strongest at Totsuki."
Hearing Soma Yukihira admit defeat, Yūki Yoshino's face broke into a smile.
She had already witnessed his strength; he was by no means weak at Totsuki, though not overwhelmingly strong either. For her, he was a worthy opponent.
Beating such an opponent was the most satisfying!
"Deficiencies in ingredients, huh?"
Indeed, the deliciousness accumulated from years of growth is difficult to surpass with fast-grown duck meat like this.
Setting down his bowl, Soma Yukihira muttered to himself, his expression not particularly good.
Although he was making excuses verbally, he knew in his heart that a loss was a loss. Making excuses was merely a sign of weakness.
But... it really stung.
Determined to hone his cooking skills, Soma Yukihira looked towards Dylan. At this moment, he was surrounded by three young women.
Yūki Yoshino was continuously asking about the parts of her dish that hadn't turned out well, taking notes as she did so.
Even after winning, she was still so serious. Soma Yukihira now somewhat understood why she possessed such skill.
"You're a transfer student, and this level is already very good. What you need now is continued accumulation, to experience things you haven't before, to build up your reserves for a powerful breakthrough."
Fumio Daimidō sensed his mood, stood up, came over to him, and gently patted his shoulder, comforting him softly.
Truth be told, Soma Yukihira's cooking skills were already very good. He had strong adaptability and a solid foundation. He just needed final refinement, and in time, he would certainly achieve great things.
She had been the dorm supervisor at Polar Star Dormitory for so many years; she was very accurate at judging people!
"It's getting late. We'll be taking our leave now."
Just then, Dylan glanced at the clock on the wall and looked up at the people before him.
It was now three in the afternoon. The competition was over, and he had relaxed enough. It was time for these young ladies to begin their afternoon classes.
Time flowed by day by day, and soon the weekend arrived.
On this particular day, due to his immense fatigue, Dylan unusually slept in.
Around ten in the morning, his phone rang. Dylan opened his eyes, a little disoriented, then saw the caller ID: Li Wanwan.
"Hello, what's up?"
Sitting up from his bed, the blanket slid down, revealing his toned upper body. Dylan answered the call, asking what she wanted.
"Didn't you say you'd take us on a school tour this weekend? Huang Mei and I are already at your doorstep. Could you come out and pick us up?"
Li Wanwan's voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with excitement. This made Dylan scratch his head, because he had completely forgotten about it.
However, since he had promised, Dylan had no intention of backing out. After a simple affirmation, he hung up the phone and walked out.
"Good morning, Teacher Dylan!"
Outside, hearing the door open, Huang Mei stepped forward first, ready to greet him, but then saw Dylan shirtless, his body covered in muscles. She immediately clamped her mouth shut and instinctively blurted out, "So cool!"
"Huh?"
"Nothing! Did you just wake up? Why aren't you wearing a shirt?"
Hearing Dylan speak in confusion, Huang Mei's face flushed slightly as she waved her hand.
"I just woke up. I slept a little late last night."
Dylan yawned, then moved aside slightly, thinking that he absolutely had to go to bed early tonight and couldn't let Alice Nakiri keep him up so late again.
It was a holiday, a rare chance to relax.
"Then... do you want to go back to sleep? We're not in a hurry."
Li Wanwan spoke. She had heard in Dylan's voice that she had probably woken him up with her call, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
It was a holiday, a rare chance to relax.
"Then... do you want to go back to sleep? We're not in a hurry."
Li Wanwan spoke. She had heard in Dylan's voice that she had probably woken him up with her call, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
"No need, I've slept enough. Let me go back to my room and change, then we can head out."
Dylan waved his hand. He had been at Totsuki for so long, and still hadn't visited the clubs.
Secondly, he tended to get entangled in things in the past.
However, since it was a request from the girls, going there with them was fine.
He'd consider it a chance to unwind.
-
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