"Dumplings can be leisurely, or they can be urgent.
Fresh dumplings go into boiling water, frozen dumplings into cold water. While cooking, you can add salt and cooking oil to the pot.
After the water boils, sprinkle in some salt and stir well. This raises the water's boiling point, slowing down the gelatinization of starch and making the dumplings more resilient.
Adding oil, meanwhile, prevents them from sticking to each other."
Dylan explained to Ueno Sugi while steaming and boiling dumplings, breaking down every detail, chewing it up and feeding it to him.
This made the young man nod continuously.
"I've told you the methods for making dumplings and the precautions for steaming and boiling them. The rest is up to your own research, Ueno.
I hope you perform well.
It's not impossible to innovate; you don't have to limit cooking methods to just steaming and boiling. But before you innovate, you must first master the basics.
Steam for 12 to 15 minutes, boil for 7 to 8 minutes. Dumplings of this size are generally cooked within this timeframe. Don't overcook them, or it will affect their taste."
Without waiting for the dumplings to finish cooking, Dylan felt he had said everything he needed to. He took off his apron, bade farewell, and left.
This was all he could do.
The opponent's skill wasn't strong, and his understanding of dumplings was even shallower. If no one taught him these things, tomorrow's match would have no suspense at all.
As a teacher, as an observer, he didn't want to see such a match.
Watching Dylan's graceful departing figure, Ueno Sugi's expression was subtle. He then withdrew his gaze, continuing to focus on the dumplings in front of him.
Pork and scallion filled dumplings.
What would they taste like?
In Japan, highly spicy food isn't popular, so he had never eaten pork and scallion filled dumplings.
However, since Dylan-sensei used this as a demonstration, it must have its extraordinary qualities!
Smelling the inviting aroma in the air, Ueno Sugi silently waited.
The first to be cooked were the boiled dumplings. Watching them float up one by one, Ueno Sugi swiftly picked them out of the pot with chopsticks and placed them on a plate.
Without hesitation, he picked one up and tasted it.
Because the filling was a three-to-seven ratio of fat to lean meat, the lean portion was not only fresh, tender, and juicy but also lacked any greasy mouthfeel. One bite brought an overflowing sense of satisfaction.
The scallions were fresh and crisp, their unique pungent aroma permeating the deliciousness of the pork, creating an incredibly rich sensory experience.
This was raw scallion.
Cooked scallions, after heat treatment, had a much weaker pungent and spicy taste than raw scallions, instead emitting a softer, sweeter fragrance.
Under the effect of the oil temperature, the aroma of cooked scallions was fully stimulated, forming a stark contrast with the raw scallions and adding further layers to the dish's flavor.
"Is this Dylan-sensei's cooking?"
Golden light faintly swirled in his mouth. Though it was merely the most ordinary of dumplings, it delivered such a rich and wonderful taste. Truly remarkable!
After finishing the boiled dumplings, he moved on to the steamed ones. Steamed dumplings had less moisture than boiled dumplings; their wrappers were soft yet resilient, perfectly encasing the filling.
"However, upon careful tasting, I can tell that these steamed dumplings and boiled dumplings differ not only in their cooking method but also significantly in their preparation.
Steamed dumpling wrappers are larger and thicker to accommodate potential expansion during steaming.
Boiled dumpling wrappers are relatively thinner, allowing them to cook quickly and absorb the soup during boiling.
Beyond that, there's the filling. Steamed dumplings have a relatively lighter flavor, while boiled dumplings have a richer, heavier one. No wonder Dylan-sensei divided the pork filling into two portions when making the filling earlier—he intended to season them separately!"
Pondering the differences between the steamed and boiled dumplings in his mouth, Ueno Sugi lowered his head, thinking and savoring for a moment, then revealed an expression of sudden enlightenment.
Although Dylan-sensei hadn't explicitly stated these details, the dish itself had already given him the correct answer!
"I understand! The key to making good dumplings lies in the wrapper and the filling. Everything from now on will revolve around these two points.
As long as I create perfect wrappers and fillings, I'm sure I can satisfy the judges!"
Having grasped the crucial point, Ueno Sugi's eyes brightened, and he began kneading dough according to the recipe Dylan had provided.
These were basic dumplings.
He planned to start by researching the dumpling wrapper, then formulate the filling, step by step, to create his own innovative dumplings!
The next day, at Tsukiten Hall.
"Thank you for waiting, everyone."
"The Summer Selection Main Tournament, First Round, First Match, now begins!"
Urara Kawashima's voice, hosting, reached Dylan's ears, and he curiously scanned the venue.
Compared to the preliminary rounds, Tsukiten Hall was more than twice as large. The chairs for the front-row audience had been replaced with luxurious sofas, incredibly comfortable.
And he, Dylan, was now seated beside Senzaemon Nakiri, surrounded by Japan's culinary titans, figures from the same era as the academy's Director.
He was also one of the five judges.
Invited by Senzaemon Nakiri, and interested himself, he was here. Following his host's lead, he sat to the old man's right.
At this moment, these seniors of the Japanese culinary world looked at him with curious eyes.
"First to appear is contestant Soma Yukihira, who advanced from Preliminary Group A in sixth place."
"Go, Yukihira!"
"Crush them!"
As Urara Kawashima's words fell, Soma Yukihira's figure entered from the contestant entrance. All the spotlights shone on him, and the members of Polar Star Dorm waved their flags, shouting encouragement.
"And then, his opponent is…
Also from Group A, contestant Ueno Sugi, who advanced in eighth place."
"Ueno, show the transfer student what you've got!"
"I believe you can win! Don't forget how we fought our way through!"
On the other side, the cheering was also considerable, but upon closer inspection, most of these people were those who had survived the Hell Camp Training.
Though not many in number, there were still several.
"Yukihira-kun, we had a match when we first enrolled. While we relied more on Megumi Tadokoro then, you truly did win.
This time, I won't lose again. Be ready!"
Looking at Soma Yukihira, who gazed at him with a serious expression, Ueno Sugi returned the same earnest attitude, declaring his pre-match challenge without reserve.
"They're going all out right from the start."
"Although there was a difference of more than ten points, it feels like this will be a good match."
"With dumplings as the theme, I'm curious what dishes they'll present."
As both contestants took the stage, discussions immediately broke out among students and audience members, clearly everyone was highly anticipating this first match.
"You, an outsider chef, could never imagine what kind of trials we've endured to remain here. Be prepared for your dish to appear only once!"
Seeing the young man yawning with a raised hand, Ueno Sugi felt he was being disrespectful. He stared at Soma Yukihira's face and said.
"If I lose to you, won't I just watch from the audience starting from the second round?"
Soma Yukihira replied indifferently, because of Dylan's promise to him a few nights ago: that if he could become number one, Dylan would accept his challenge.
This had always been Soma Yukihira's wish, so he came here with an absolute belief in victory.
"I hope so.
However, did you not sleep yesterday? Being so fatigued can lead to mistakes in cooking."
Seeing Soma Yukihira constantly yawning, Ueno Sugi finally sensed something was off, then inquired with doubt.
"I was testing recipes late last night. By the time I came to my senses, it was already dawn. But you don't need to worry, because this is common practice for me.
Demanding diners, gleaming knives, and fully stocked ingredients—what's different today is having a formidable business rival opposite me. Today, I will absorb everything I gain from defeating you into my very being and achieve triumph!"
Untying the bandage wrapped around his hand, he swung it high, making a graceful arc in the air, then Soma Yukihira tied it around his waist and head.
His chef's knife appeared in his hand, gripped tightly by Soma Yukihira, its tip pointing directly at Ueno Sugi's face. The young man's imposing aura was on full display at this moment.
"A bit chuunibyou, but I like it."
On the stage, watching this scene, Dylan's face showed a hint of amusement, then he chuckled lightly. Young and reckless, that's probably the feeling he was talking about!
He had also gone through such a period. Seeing Soma Yukihira, he couldn't help but reminisce about his younger self. Back then, he wasn't so invincible; there were evenly matched opponents everywhere, and every battle required him to give his all. The penalties for losing were something he couldn't bear.
But on second thought, those were his happiest times!
"The first match's theme is 'Dumplings,' with a time limit of 2 hours."
As Soma Yukihira's words concluded, the atmosphere in the venue reached its peak. Urara Kawashima, skilled at building excitement, began introducing the match to the audience.
A muscular man, shirtless, seeing this scene, picked up a wooden stick and struck the gong fiercely. The gong instantly let out a mighty sound.
Senzaemon Nakiri stood up the moment the gong sounded, pointing his finger towards the competition area, shouting with full vigor.
The next moment, the two individuals on stage began to move.
In the lounge, the other contestants also showed serious expressions, watching the broadcast on the TV screen intently.
Because one of the two contestants on stage would become their future opponent, understanding their cooking style in advance would be beneficial for the upcoming matches.
"Speaking of which, that arrogant guy actually passed the preliminaries, and in sixth place in his group, too. That's quite surprising."
"It's just sixth in the group. It won't be long before I surpass him."
"Hilarious. From last year's mid-term assessment until now, while you've improved, your grades have always been at the bottom of the first-years.
If this continues, you might be the next one expelled."
"There are only fifty people left. Dylan-sensei wouldn't be that ruthless…"
Many people were chatting in the audience seats. Everyone was curious about the outcome of this match. Some expressed that the people on stage were inferior to them, while others bluntly exposed their flaws.
"The origin of dumplings is in China. After becoming popular, they spread throughout Asia, and now, they have a considerable influence even globally.
One of the Confucian Classics, the 'Book of Rites,' states: 'Two parts rice, one part meat, combined to make bait, then fried.' This seems to be an early form of fried dumpling."
Watching Soma Yukihira and Ueno Sugi cook, Senzaemon Nakiri's voice resounded through the arena, introducing the history of dumplings to everyone.
"Later generations developed cooking methods like boiling, steaming, pan-frying, and roasting to express its deliciousness. By now, even more cooking methods have evolved."
"Truly an anticipated battle."
Here, a short old man with pinkish-brown clothes and a receding hairline watched with eager anticipation.
As a specially invited judge, he was surprised that this year's selection had been moved up by several months, but that didn't hinder his excitement.
"Look quick, what's that transfer student doing?"
"That machine is…"
Murmurs spread through the audience, drawing the judges' attention to Soma Yukihira, or more accurately, to the machine in front of him.
"You owe me a big favor, Yukihira-kun."
Alice Nakiri, wearing a baseball cap, smiled as she spoke to Soma Yukihira, who was mixing flour, after recommending a large vacuum machine be brought onto the cooking station.
"Oh, I'll keep that in mind."
Soma Yukihira nodded seriously, then began operating the vacuum machine in front of him. Seeing this, Alice Nakiri said no more and stepped back.
Their relationship with Dylan seemed good, so she didn't mind helping him out.
Yesterday, she subtly told Soma Yukihira the best way to process dumpling wrappers. Like this, just the wrapper alone should earn him quite a few points.
"No wonder she was so secretive yesterday. So she was tinkering with these things."
Seeing Alice Nakiri suddenly appear on stage, and the vacuum machine in front of Soma Yukihira, Dylan showed a thoughtful expression.
He also knew the things Alice Nakiri knew, so he naturally saw through Soma Yukihira's cooking technique at a glance, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Given this, Ueno Sugi's chances of winning had significantly decreased.
The match was becoming somewhat uninteresting.
Of course, he wouldn't blame anyone for this. After all, his teaching Ueno Sugi, and Alice Nakiri and others helping Soma Yukihira, was itself a reasonable use of the rules.
"Ueno Sugi, how far can you go?"
Gazing deeply at Ueno Sugi, his expression was normal; he hadn't panicked because Soma Yukihira brought out such a large machine.
He simply pulled out a pile of taro from a burlap sack, still covered in soil. After a simple wash, he put them directly into a steamer, steaming them over high heat for about fifty minutes.
30 grams of sweet potato starch, 100 grams of water, simmered over low heat until thick and sticky.
Peel the steamed taro, mash it into a paste in a large bowl, add the processed starch mixture, then add another 500 grams of sweet potato starch, and mix well.
Reach in and knead it until smooth and pliable, then set it aside on a cutting board.
This was his carefully developed dumpling wrapper.
Chop the pork into pieces, then finely chop about 100 grams of water chestnuts.
To the pork filling, add half a spoonful of dark soy sauce, one spoonful of light soy sauce, half a spoonful of oyster sauce, 1/3 spoonful of five-spice powder, 1/3 spoonful of white pepper powder,
1/3 spoonful of salt, and half a spoonful of white sugar.
After mixing evenly, add onion-ginger water in two separate additions.
Then add the chopped water chestnuts and stir evenly with chopsticks. The filling is now complete, and he can start wrapping dumplings.
"Taro dumplings?"
Watching Ueno Sugi's actions, Senzaemon Nakiri guessed inwardly. However, he said no more, simply continuing to watch calmly.
Soon, an hour and a half passed.
Ueno Sugi finished his dumplings first. As he scooped the taro dumplings from the pot, he glanced at Soma Yukihira, then strode towards the judges' table.
"Dylan-sensei."
Respectfully nodding to Dylan, Ueno Sugi handed him the first plate of taro dumplings, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Is that all? Are you forgetting something?"
Unexpectedly, Dylan frowned slightly as he saw the taro dumplings in front of him, looking at Ueno Sugi with a half-smile, feigning an casual reminder.
"There shouldn't be any forgotten steps."
Closing his eyes and carefully recalling the cooking steps, Ueno Sugi nodded affirmingly, certain he hadn't forgotten anything.
Both the wrapper and the filling were the result of his careful adjustments, and the ratios had been tweaked multiple times, finally reaching their most perfect state.
"Then let's taste them."
Seeing Ueno Sugi's determined look, Dylan said no more, instead picking up a taro dumpling.
After being boiled, the taro dumplings' skin became translucent, faintly exhibiting the natural color of taro, both beautiful and enticing.
"The creaminess of the taro and the smoothness of the sweet potato starch are a perfect match. It's soft and glutinous with a slight chewiness. Truly excellent.
Taking a bite, one can clearly feel the unique fine texture and creaminess of the taro, perfectly combined with the refreshing smoothness of the sweet potato starch.
This texture is neither excessively sticky nor lacking in desirable chewiness.
"After seasoning, the pork is fresh, juicy, and finely textured.
The addition of dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other seasonings gives the filling an enticing color and rich flavor. This simple combination further highlights the deliciousness of the pork. Such a clear flavor profile, it's amazing!"
Breathing out steam from his mouth, the short old man in pinkish-brown clothes with a receding hairline looked utterly delighted.
"The subtle aroma of five-spice powder and white pepper powder adds a complex fragrance to the filling, both removing any gamey smell and enhancing the overall flavor."
Beside him, another bald old man with a beard smacked his lips, beginning to savor the taste of the taro dumpling filling, finally giving a fair evaluation.
"The crispness of the water chestnuts, interspersed within the soft pork, brings a fresh mouthfeel to the filling, effectively counteracting the pork's richness."
With the lingering taste of water chestnuts in his mouth, Senzaemon Nakiri nodded. Pork and water chestnuts could be called a super classic combination.
The freshness of the water chestnuts accentuated the pork's aroma without making it overly greasy, and when paired with the substantial feel of the taro dumpling, it was simply perfect.
"It's evident you've done considerable research. Taro dumplings are a relatively niche type of dumpling, mainly popular in Jiangxi, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces.
Senzaemon Nakiri opened his eyes, speaking slowly to Ueno Sugi. This dish, no matter how it was viewed, was exceptionally good.
However, it had one fatal flaw.
"My dish is also complete! Please, everyone, have a taste!"
Just as he was about to state the flaw, Soma Yukihira's voice suddenly came from below the stage. Everyone immediately looked over.
Soma Yukihira was seen carrying a soup pot onto the stage. Flames still burned beneath the pot, and inside, dumplings were bubbling "gurgle, gurgle."
"Yukihira Style: Orthodox Vegetarian Dumplings! Please enjoy!"
He opened the bronze pot lid; inside, the dumplings were boiling, looking like plump, tender white babies.
______
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