Meanwhile.
Miyoko Hojo and Zhou Quan arrived at the market.
Because the theme this time was stewing soup, they needed to prepare some top-grade ingredients. Chicken, duck, fish, meat, as well as beef and lamb bones, were all very suitable ingredients.
'Then I'll head this way. Let's not interfere with each other; we'll each buy the ingredients we need and then return directly to Totsuki when we're done.'
Because he didn't know the way from Totsuki to the market, on the way down the mountain, Zhou Quan specifically caught up with Miyoko Hojo and asked her to take him to the surrounding market, saving him the trouble of searching.
Facing such a small request, Miyoko Hojo naturally couldn't refuse. She generously agreed to Zhou Quan's request and brought him to the market below Totsuki.
'You don't need to tell me; I would have done that anyway.'
Miyoko Hojo's voice was cold. After saying this, she left without looking back, heading towards the east side of the market and quickly disappearing.
Zhou Quan watched her figure disappear, then silently headed west. That was where livestock were sold, and it was his destination for this trip.
'As the saying goes, 'the older, the fresher.' For the main ingredient selection this time, let's go with a three-year-old hen.'
Strolling casually through the market, his gaze swept over the chickens and ducks squawking in the poultry market, at the various stalls. He already had an idea in mind.
Seeing Zhou Quan walk towards him, the boss in front of the chicken cages immediately perked up. He cheerfully got up from his lounge chair, stood before Zhou Quan, and rubbed his hands together.
'I'll take a three-year-old hen.'
Without hesitation, Zhou Quan stated his request.
Hearing Zhou Quan's words, the boss's face broke into a smile. He then ran to the chicken cages behind him, picking and choosing.
'Young man, your luck is really good. This is the last three-year-old hen or older we have in the shop; all the others have been bought for soup.'
Finally, he picked a lively one, tied its wings, and handed it directly to Zhou Quan, talking as he did so, as if the chickens in his shop were in high demand.
Taking the hen from the boss's hand, Zhou Quan ignored his rambling and placed his hand on the chicken's belly. His expression shifted slightly, then he handed the chicken back, a layer of disdain added to his brow.
This guy actually tried to fool him with a two-and-a-half-year-old hen! What nerve! It seems swindling merchants exist in every country.
'Customer, don't slander me! These are all genuine three-year-old hens! Customers who bought them before always said they were excellent for stewing soup!'
Hearing Zhou Quan's words, the shop owner's expression froze. Then, without batting an eye, he continued, putting on a look that said, 'Don't make things difficult for me.'
'A hen two years or older, its 'chicken teeth'—that is, the belly area—are very hard, and the meat on its legs is also very firm. Besides that, there are also the chicken feet...'
Seeing the boss ready to be unreasonable, Zhou Quan's tone became increasingly unfriendly. He then pointed at the hen in front of him and began to tell him how to identify the chicken's age.
'You're quite clever, you know to use a hen of a similar age to fool people. Even experienced chefs would find it hard to tell the difference this way. But I'm different. I grew up on a farm, so I'm most familiar with chickens and ducks. You've lost today by running into me! I won't press the matter this time. Quickly bring out a hen that's three years old or older from your shop. Not even a day less will do!'
As he spoke, Zhou Quan's voice rose a few pitches, and his well-reasoned analysis attracted a crowd. People gathered around, discussing the scene animatedly. animatedly.
'Oh, so if you say so, it is so? My chicken is perfectly fine! So many people haven't found any problem with it, but you're so smart? What are you, anyway?!'
Zhou Quan's voice grew louder and louder, and more and more people gathered around.
Although the boss knew he had run into an expert, he absolutely couldn't admit it at a time like this. Otherwise, the reputation he had built over so many years of business could be completely ruined today!
But what's up with this kid? He looks only seventeen or eighteen, but he's acting so seasoned and arrogant, even more so than a forty or fifty-year-old chef!
Didn't his elders tell him to be careful with his words and actions when out, or else he might offend people?!
'Not quite clear, but it seems like the old man selling chickens sold an underage chicken to the young man, and now the young man is seeking justice.'
'Isn't the chicken's quality quite good?'
'Not sure, the other guy seems to have his own method of distinguishing them, and then they started arguing. Now neither of them will back down.'
The people around only mumbled, not daring to take sides. And the chicken seller, seeing Zhou Quan stand still without speaking, thought he had intimidated him, and was just about to
'Hmph, I'm a Special Grade Chef. Do you think I'd deliberately lie to wrong you?'
As he spoke, Zhou Quan slowly took off his jacket, revealing the Special Grade Chef's arm patch underneath, flashing it before everyone present.
In an instant, the entire place fell silent.
Although most of the people present were ordinary, there were one or two who knew their stuff and immediately recognized the true origin of the arm patch on Zhou Quan's hand.
'This is China's Dragon-shaped Special Grade Chef's arm patch.'
Upon these words, the entire place was astonished.
'China's Special Grade Chef's arm patch? Isn't China the country where it's most difficult to become a Special Grade Chef?! This guy looks so young, how could he be a Special Grade Chef from China?!'
'Then what he just said, I feel it's highly likely to be true. A Special Grade Chef has no need to lie about such a small matter, and besides, China seems to have its own method for distinguishing ingredients.'
The words of the surrounding people made the chicken seller's face turn alternately green and pale. He knew in his heart that he was done for. He couldn't utter any more strong words.
Who would have thought that a kid this young, only seventeen or eighteen, would actually be a legendary Special Grade Chef! He had really hit a brick wall this time.
'Then it must be that my old eyes had a problem. I'm getting old; it's quite normal to occasionally pick one or two wrong ones.'
His brain spun quickly. Before long, he thought of a way to salvage the situation. The chicken seller smiled ingratiatingly, then stepped towards the chicken cages, quickly picked through them, placing the best chickens in the shop on the counter for Zhou Quan to choose from.
Since the other party was a Special Grade Chef, he must know many other chefs, and there would be many people wanting to curry favor with him.
As the saying goes, 'it's easier to deal with the King of Hell than with a petty ghost.' If he offended Zhou Quan, his business would likely become difficult in the future, which was something he absolutely did not want to see.
'I'll take one chicken, and I'll pay you the full price; I won't take advantage of you. Let's just drop this matter this time. Don't do this kind of deceitful business in the future; it's easy to get taught a lesson.'
Seeing the other party actively trying to ingratiate himself, Zhou Quan said coldly. If it hadn't been him who came today, he probably wouldn't have been able to expose the chicken seller's trick.
Although there was only a half-year difference between two and a half years and three years, and the taste difference shouldn't be significant, for the match between his Grandfather and Dylan, even slightly inferior ingredients could very likely affect the final grade.
After a series of apologies and pleasantries, the chicken seller finally breathed a sigh of relief, having managed to send this 'plague god' away. He decided that for the next few days, or at least for this period, he couldn't make any mistakes.
Meanwhile, Zhou Quan also headed elsewhere.
He still needed to buy ingredients for making soup. He hoped this time the boss wouldn't be as deceitful as before, only thinking of running shady businesses.
'The quality of your dried goods isn't high. I want the absolute top-grade, dried goods that have undergone years of aging and natural condensation. Money is not an issue.'
Putting back the slotted spoon the boss handed her, Miyoko Hojo's voice was cold.
The dried goods before her were clearly mass-produced. Even before being dried, they weren't from the highest quality batch of seafood.
If it were for herself, it would be fine, but this time it was for Teacher Dylan. She had to buy the best ingredients possible, so that he could also have an easier time.
The reason she chose dried clams, dried shrimp, and dried scallops as her seafood dried goods was primarily due to Dylan's past teachings, which deeply influenced her.
Dried goods, after aging, not only possess extremely high nutritional value but also have an exceptionally delicious flavor, making them very suitable for making soup.
When making soup, dried goods release a unique umami flavor, adding a rich taste to the soup. This umami is incomparable to what ordinary fresh ingredients can offer.
Of course, seafood dried goods alone are not enough to make a good pot of soup. They also need the flavors of other ingredients, such as pork ribs and winter melon.
Additionally, Teacher Dylan also seems to be very skilled in medicated cuisine. She could buy some common Chinese herbs available on the market, at least to avoid making his choices difficult.
With many soup ingredients in mind, Miyoko Hojo hurried back and forth in the market. By the time she returned, it was almost evening.
Zhou Quan had returned half an hour earlier than her and had been waiting in the villa for quite some time.
When he saw her, a puzzled expression appeared on his face. She was carrying large and small bags; surely she hadn't packed up half the market and brought it back?
If that were truly the case, then it would be a mess.
'Teacher Dylan, here you go.'
Seeing everyone looking at her with bewildered expressions, Miyoko Hojo's face flushed slightly, feeling somewhat confused. She then stepped forward two paces, handing over all the large and small bags she was carrying to Dylan.
'You've packed up the whole market and brought it back, haven't you?'
Feeling the weight in his hands, Dylan couldn't help but grumble.
'I was worried you wouldn't have enough, so I bought all the ingredients suitable for making soup.'
'Although they are suitable, the quantity is a bit too much.'
Feeling the weight in his hands, Dylan's expression revealed a hint of complexity. He blamed himself for not clearly explaining the rules when he left.
Now, hearing Miyoko Hojo's lively voice, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his frustration. Who knew he had indeed forgotten this matter?
'According to the rules, all ingredients brought back must be used; at most, only three can be forfeited.'
Zhou Tai's voice rang out opportunely.
Upon hearing this, Miyoko Hojo's face showed a bewildered expression.
However, since it was a competition, there definitely had to be restrictions.
They were testing whether the master and apprentice's ideas could resonate, not simply buying ingredients and having the chef choose from them for preparation.
That would be too simple, and the apprentice's role would merely be that of a runner, going against the original intention of the match between two parties.
'Alright, let's start cooking.'
Without blaming Miyoko Hojo, but gently stroking her head, Dylan looked at the ingredients she had brought. He didn't rush to cook, but rather first sorted them, as he needed to understand the characteristics of each ingredient.
Beside him, Zhou Tai saw that Dylan wasn't discouraged. He silently nodded to himself, then slowly walked to the cooking station.
Regardless, not getting angry easily was an impressive feat in itself.
To remain so calm and composed when a trusted junior made a mistake, even one that affected his own match, was remarkable.
For some reason, Zhou Tai suddenly felt that perhaps he truly could set up an open challenge to the world once.
'I'm sorry, Teacher Dylan, it was my fault for not understanding the rules clearly and acting on my own initiative, causing you trouble...'
Realizing what she had done, Miyoko Hojo's fists clenched slightly, her face filled with regret, knowing perfectly well the mistake she had made.
She had been too clever for her own good.
'Now is not the time for punishment. When this match is over, I will properly punish you. For now, let's finish this dish. Don't speak from now on, or else we might lose the match.'
Seeing Miyoko Hojo step forward, her face full of remorse, Dylan reached out and made a shushing gesture in front of her mouth, signaling her to stop.
Seeing this, Miyoko Hojo immediately kept silent, knowing that if she continued to apologize, they would directly lose the match. So she stood still and took a deep breath, breathing to calm herself down.
'Let's begin.'
Glancing at Dylan, Miyoko Hojo didn't speak. Instead, she walked to the cooking station, looking at the categorized ingredients before her, her mind racing.
If only a few of these ingredients were chosen, a delicious pot of soup could certainly be made.
However, if all of them had to be used, it would only result in a messy, unrecognizable dish, and the soup's flavor would be chaotic.
How could their flavors be made harmonious?
Clutching her head with both hands, Miyoko Hojo thought of many combinations.
But after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't come up with a method that would allow the soup to remain delicious while using so many ingredients simultaneously.
Holding her breath, the situation temporarily reached a stalemate.
Looking up at Dylan beside her, she saw that he was also frowning, seemingly deep in thought, but he had yet to make a move.
Anyway, she decided to soak the dried goods first.
Looking at the dried goods in the bag, the thought suddenly popped into Hisako Arato's mind.
If even Dylan couldn't think of a preparation method, then she certainly couldn't either. Instead of wasting time, she might as well do what she could first. what she could first.
Soaking the dried goods.
Because cooking time was limited, the seafood dried goods she bought were all ones that could be used directly after minimal processing, without needing a long wait.
However, due to the different types of seafood, the processing methods and times required also varied, and all these decisions had to be made by her.
For example, dried clams: after washing them thoroughly with clean water, put them into a bowl. Add an appropriate amount of warm water and yellow wine, then soak for 1-2 hours. Their flavor is best after draining.
As for dried scallops, they are directly put into cold water and soaked for 15 minutes. Once they soften and expand, take them out, remove impurities and the tough adductor muscle, then add scallion sections, yellow wine, ginger slices, and water. Cover with plastic wrap, then steam for 20-30 minutes before removing. Their flavor is best after naturally cooling.
Beside her, Dylan watched Miyoko Hojo move, quickly processing various dried goods, without speaking. His brain was working at high speed.
He used his tongue to judge the taste of the ingredients before him, then utilized Super Touch to control their proportions, and finally confirmed them through Super Sense of Smell and Super Vision.
Due to his brain's rapid operation, Dylan's eyes were cold, and an inexplicable aura of sternness emanated from his entire being—that was the manifestation of absolute seriousness.
At the cooking station not far away.
Zhou Tai didn't rush to cook. Instead, he observed Dylan for a while, and seeing the icy aura emanating from him, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.
It seemed the other party's identity as a Seven-Star Special Grade Chef was not exaggerated in the slightest.
Since that was the case,
he would also give his all!
The cleaver in his hand spun beautifully. Zhou Tai began to process the three-year-old hen Zhou Quan had bought. When he saw these ingredients, he already had an answer in his heart.
What the other party wanted him to make was likely a soup that frequently appeared at national banquets: National Banquet Hanging Soup.
As a dish that had long been perfected by countless predecessors, he had made it countless times. Using it here could be considered playing a very conservative card.
However, given Dylan's current situation, wanting to create a dish that surpassed National Banquet Hanging Soup would be extraordinarily difficult.
At least Zhou Tai couldn't think of a way for the time being.
He quickly butchered the chicken, plucked its feathers, and then removed its rump.
This part of the meat is also called 'chicken taint'; if used for soup, the taste would become very bad, so it needed to be removed beforehand.
Next, the chicken feet needed to be chopped off, and the tip of the feet completely removed for soup preparation.
The chicken was split in half from the back, and all its internal organs and impurities were removed. These would affect the final taste of the soup.
Since he was making National Banquet Hanging Soup, every aspect had to be meticulous. The chicken head was removed separately, and the chicken body was placed under clear water for washing. All blood and impurities, and blood clots had to be thoroughly washed off with clear water.
The washed chicken was put into the soup pot under water.
At the same time, Zhou Quan brought over all the processed pork hocks. The large pork hocks were cut in half down the middle, and all six pieces were put into the soup pot.
He took scallions and ginger, lightly smashed them with the back of a knife to loosen them, then set them aside.
This was because soup is stewed for a long time; if cut, they would easily disappear. By putting them in whole, their flavors could be released due to being loosened.
Of course, the prepared scallions and ginger couldn't be immediately put into the pot. They needed to wait until the water boiled and all impurities floated to the surface and were skimmed off; only then was it best to add them.
Since he was making National Banquet Hanging Soup, every aspect had to be meticulous. The chicken head was removed separately, and the chicken body was placed under clear water for washing. All blood and impurities, and blood clots had to be thoroughly washed off with clear water.
The washed chicken was put into the soup pot under water.
At the same time, Zhou Quan brought over all the processed pork hocks. The large pork hocks were cut in half down the middle, and all six pieces were put into the soup pot.
He took scallions and ginger, lightly smashed them with the back of a knife to loosen them, then set them aside.
This was because soup is stewed for a long time; if cut, they would easily disappear. By putting them in whole, their flavors could be released due to being loosened.
Of course, the prepared scallions and ginger couldn't be immediately put into the pot. They needed to wait until the water boiled and all impurities floated to the surface and were skimmed off; only then was it best to add them.
'Good.'
At the same time, a small bowl appeared beside him. In the bowl was finely minced chicken breast, to be used for clarifying the soup later.
Looking up, Zhou Tai smiled as he watched Zhou Quan processing the ingredients. This kid still had some cleverness in him!
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