"The pig ear's meat is firm yet elastic, and after being steeped in the white braise, it has become even more tender and juicy. It's hard to imagine a braised dish having this kind of texture!"
Erina Nakiri squeezed her way to the front and also got a few pieces of pig ear. As she tasted it, she couldn't help but close her eyes in enjoyment:
"This is truly… With every bite, you can feel the ultimate delicacy of the meat. It's delicate yet retains a satisfying chewiness that makes you want more and more!"
"Furthermore," Alice Nakiri's voice rang out as she swallowed the white-braised pig ear in her mouth, her expression filled with pleasure, "the unique flavor provided by the white braise has deeply permeated every inch of the pig ear's texture, making it incredibly fragrant and delicious."
After being prepared with the white braise method, the pig ear's flavor became exceptionally clear and its layers distinct, making one want to hum in pleasure, their body even trembling slightly!
"Ah!"
The flavors of various spices and herbs converged into a powerful force, concentrated in the pig ear, and were released the moment it was chewed, continuously assaulting the girls' bodies and causing them to cry out in surprise.
Rindo Kobayashi leaned against the cooking station, her body trembling slightly. Her fair little face was flushed beet-red, looking as if she was suppressing herself to the absolute limit.
Seeing her in such a state, no one around her laughed. Instead, they all expressed their understanding, since they had all reacted the same way before.
Now that they had eaten Dylan's cooking many times, they had developed a certain resistance to it, which was why they could barely remain standing. However, things were still a complete mess under their skirts.
It couldn't be helped. Being able to resist didn't mean it had no effect. The power of Dylan's cooking was something only those who had tasted it could possibly know.
"Go ahead and slice up the rest. We can't wait any longer."
They looked longingly at the other uncut ingredients. These were the ingredients they had bought. If they had known it would be this delicious, they would have given more to Dylan earlier.
Savoring the aftertaste on their tongues, the girls couldn't help but feel a little regretful. They had only given Dylan half of the ingredients, keeping the other half for themselves, but now it was obvious that what they had given him wasn't enough for so many people. They really wanted to achieve braised-dish freedom!!
"I know. Hurry up and eat. Once you're full, go finish your own dishes. I'll be grading you all later to see who's best. The one with the lowest score will have to accept a punishment."
His gaze subtly flickered over the girls' behinds before he waved his hand in the air.
The loser's punishment wouldn't be a spanking with a ruler; he would use his hand directly. And he would do it in front of everyone, making her lose all face!
Under such pressure, not a single person dared to lower their guard; they would all cook with their full strength.
"Are you guys preparing for a competition?"
Beside them, Rindo Kobayashi asked curiously.
"Yes, today's theme is braised dishes. We'll be ranked later, and whoever's dish is the worst has to accept a punishment. That's the rule around here."
Hisako Arato replied, her gaze shifting to the other cooking stations, which were now emitting enticing aromas. Lady Erina and the others were cooking.
"Interesting, I'll be a judge too!"
Hearing Hisako Arato's words, Rindo Kobayashi's interest was instantly piqued. She looked at Dylan with a radiant smile, clearly wanting to participate as well.
"That's fine. You, me, and Hisako will be the three judges scoring them."
Dylan didn't refuse. In any case, the final decision was his.
Letting these two be judges was just to give them a sense of participation. After all, just sitting here and watching was quite boring.
"Okay."
The crowd gathered around dispersed, and everyone returned to their own cooking stations. Looking at the steaming braising pots before them, the young women all wore serious expressions.
Dylan wrapped the remaining braised dishes in plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator. He then patrolled the kitchen, observing their cooking states.
"Hurry up, it'll be evening soon. Anyone who doesn't finish within the time limit will automatically be last, no matter how good their dish tastes."
Walking through the kitchen, Dylan didn't offer any more reminders this time. Even when he saw them make obvious mistakes, he would only watch for a moment before moving on.
Sometimes, a profound mistake helps one remember more firmly. While a moment of success is worth celebrating, the pain of failure is remembered for much longer. A proper stumble can help one walk more steadily and go further.
"Teacher Dylan, I'm finished."
A little over half an hour later, Yūki Yoshino's voice rang out. She then placed the exquisitely plated braised duck meat in front of him, her face filled with confidence.
"Is this… duck breast?"
"That's right. I used the breast meat from two ducks to make these three servings. There wasn't much breast meat, so each portion is small."
Hearing Dylan's question, Yūki Yoshino immediately explained.
"To be honest, braised duck head, wings, and legs are all quite common, but this is the first time I've seen purely braised duck breast. It's rather novel."
Looking at the beautifully arranged dish before him, Dylan couldn't help but tease.
The duck meat on the plate had a dark reddish-brown hue and exuded a rich aroma. Each piece of breast meat still had its skin attached, which had been braised to a springy, moist texture that looked incredibly appetizing.
"I was originally going to make standard braised duck parts, but then I thought about what Alice said and realized she was right. Since I'm in this class, I should naturally try to make dishes I wouldn't normally make. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of an opportunity?!"
Yūki Yoshino explained that she had changed her dish at the last minute after hearing Alice Nakiri's words. The ingredient she brought was a duck, so she decided to try braising the duck breast, which people normally wouldn't, as an innovation and to see how it tasted.
"Whatever, I'm digging in!"
Seeing Dylan and Yūki Yoshino chattering endlessly, Rindo Kobayashi finally couldn't hold back any longer. She reached out directly, picked up a slice of braised duck breast, and began to eat.
The duck breast was sliced very thinly. With one bite, she chewed slowly, savoring the wonderful flavor spreading through her mouth. A look of enjoyment appeared on her face.
"You used wild duck, didn't you?! The texture of the meat is more tender than farm-raised duck. Because it runs all over the mountains, its meat is firm and elastic. Of course, the most important thing is that this meat has the gamy flavor unique to wild duck—fragrant without being overpowering! This flavor is difficult for farm-raised duck to compare with!"
As she spoke, a sharp glint flashed in Rindo Kobayashi's eyes. As an expert in cooking rare ingredients, she had once personally hunted a wild duck in the mountains, butchering and roasting it on the spot. The taste was very similar to what she was eating now.
"It's a farm-raised duck, but I let the duckling roam free on the mountain, so in a sense, I guess it's half a wild duck. It fulfilled its mission well."
Hearing Rindo Kobayashi's comment, Yūki Yoshino stuck out her cute little tongue and made a playful face, then looked at Dylan with anticipation.
She really hoped her dish would satisfy him.
"The duck breast has an enticing color, with an oily sheen on the surface. A hint of bright red shows through the deep brown, which proves you controlled the heat very well. Its meat is plump without being dry. After a long braising process, it has become exceptionally soft while also absorbing the braising liquid, so it can be torn apart with a gentle pull."
Dylan said as he put a few slices of duck meat into his mouth. The next moment, the tender meat slowly melted on his tongue, and then the aroma of the braise filled his mouth.
This aroma had both a spicy kick and a sweet aftertaste. The various flavors intertwined, creating an indescribably delicious experience!
A dish like this had already reached the verge of Special Grade. Looking up at Yūki Yoshino, whose forehead was beaded with fine sweat, Dylan reached out and wiped it away for her.
It was clear the little girl had worked very hard.
"Especially that thin layer of duck skin. After being braised, it becomes soft and glutinous without being greasy, adding more flavor and textural layers to the entire dish!"
Beside them, Hisako Arato pointed out her favorite part. That thin layer of duck skin, after being braised, clung tightly to the duck meat. It was so succulent!
"I left that on intentionally. If it were just the duck breast, the texture would be too monotonous. I thought adding the duck skin might be the finishing touch, so that's what I did."
Seeing that someone had finally noticed her little trick and even pointed it out, a flush appeared on Yūki Yoshino's face, and she seemed a bit excited.
"It is indeed a very good idea. The texture of the duck skin is very springy. If you want to try innovating, you might want to try roasting then braising, or frying then braising. Duck skin prepared this way might achieve a new level of texture and flavor, a taste you've never experienced before. You can try it when you get back."
Hearing Yūki Yoshino's explanation, Dylan nodded. A simple braise was, frankly, a bit monotonous. However, with their current skills, they couldn't bring out the ultimate flavor, so they could only make the dish more delicious by adding extra steps.
"Understood, I'll try it tonight when I get back!"
After hearing Dylan's evaluation, Yūki Yoshino's eyes sparkled. She immediately said she would try it when she returned, then stepped aside to wait for the next person.
Coincidentally, the person after her was none other than the self-proclaimed meat expert, Ikumi Mito.
The young woman came up carrying a plate. She had made a very conventional braised beef. The only thing that set it apart was probably the exceptionally high quality of the beef.
"The quality of the beef you've chosen is excellent."
Looking at the beef, which was sliced thinly and had an iridescent sheen on its surface, Dylan couldn't help but praise. This cow was probably still alive three hours ago.
"Totsuki has a Mito Group breeding farm right under it, so I went home and got some beef shank. They were all slaughtered this morning."
Hearing Dylan's words, a subtle blush appeared on Ikumi Mito's face as she replied.
"I see, no wonder it's so fresh."
Dylan nodded lightly and said no more, then put the braised beef into his mouth. It was worth mentioning that every slice of braised beef had tendon attached, a sign of excellent quality.
And as the dish entered his mouth, a rich and deep aroma exploded in his oral cavity, making his brows twitch slightly. Especially the tendon part, which, after a long braise, had become soft and glutinous without losing its elasticity!
"Good ingredients and good technique, there's no way it could taste bad. It has reached Special Grade standards in every aspect. You've improved a lot recently."
Braised dishes could be considered a compulsory course in the culinary world; even at Totsuki, there were many related classes. Plus, beef was well within Ikumi Mito's comfort zone, so Dylan was not at all surprised that she could achieve a Special Grade level.
"A powerful combination of quality and skill. Success is inevitable."
"Come see mine. Spicy braised chicken wings. I learned this from Sister Wanwan earlier. I also carefully selected the chicken wings; each one is large and plump!"
As she spoke, Miyoko Hojo also squeezed forward. She was wearing a waist-cinching qipao that perfectly accentuated her figure, looking quite nice.
Coming up at the same time was Ryōko Sakaki. Her dish was relatively simple: a plate of plain braised edamame with a faint minty aroma.
Looking at the two braised dishes placed before him, Dylan stroked his chin. He first tasted the spicy braised chicken wings, putting one in his mouth to chew and savor.
The chicken wings were carefully selected, their meat plump and elastic. Their color was a glossy red, their aroma assailed the nostrils, spicy but not harsh, with fragrance in the spice, and freshness in the fragrance.
"This flavor… First, the spice dances on the tip of your tongue, then the aroma of the braise slowly spreads in your mouth, and finally, the inherent umami of the chicken wings lingers for a long time."
Hisako Arato also chose to taste the chicken wings first. At this moment, she was sticking out her tongue and hissing.
The taste was great, but she really couldn't eat too much. At least for someone like her who couldn't handle much spice, she had no fondness for spicy braised dishes.
"The chicken wings were simmered slowly in the spicy braise until they fully absorbed the rich broth, becoming slightly charred on the outside but juicy on the inside, the meat tender and smooth. With a gentle bite, you can feel the wonderful sensation of the juices bursting in your mouth. You really have a good grasp of the heat control."
Beside them, Rindo Kobayashi gave it high praise.
She had a good tolerance for spicy food, and the flavor of this spicy braise was right up her alley. She couldn't stop eating one after another. In no time, she had finished all the chicken wings on the plate and even took Hisako Arato's portion.
"You can let them soak a bit longer after they're done braising; that will make them more flavorful. Also, the braising liquid needs adjustment. You've added too much chili. The Sichuan style emphasizes a complex flavor profile that is spicy with a hint of sweetness, and fragrant within that sweetness."
"Does it need sweetness… I understand. I'll try it out later!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Miyoko Hojo pinched her chin in thought, then nodded seriously, preparing to experiment again when she got back.
Seeing this, Dylan said no more and turned his gaze to the braised edamame from Ryōko Sakaki. Smelling the faint mint aroma, he became somewhat interested.
"Did you add mint leaves to the braising pot?"
"That's right. Mint leaves have a unique effect of removing gaminess, effectively getting rid of any unwanted taste in the ingredients. At the same time, their fresh aroma can enhance the flavor of the braised dish. Furthermore, braising liquids are usually on the heavy and salty side, while mint leaves have a cooling flavor. When the two are combined, they create a counterbalance that produces a surprisingly delicious taste."
Ryōko Sakaki looked at Dylan with anticipation, eager to know what kind of evaluation her carefully researched dish would receive. She hoped it wouldn't be too bad.
"The refreshing mint flavor not only helps to elevate the textural layers of the edamame but also brings a hint of coolness in hot weather, stimulating the appetite."
As the edamame entered her mouth, Rindo Kobayashi felt the faint coolness on her tongue and showed a surprised expression, as if she hadn't expected that adding mint to a braising liquid could be so delicious.
This edamame, while retaining the savory, salty, and umami flavors of a traditional braise, incorporated the coolness and slight sweetness of mint. The faint refreshment was very long-lasting.
"A very novel braised dish, perfect for summer. The coolness in it can increase one's appetite. However, the proportion of mint can be adjusted further. Although the current flavor is quite good, it's far from its full potential."
Dylan spoke up. He could see the advantage of the mint-braising liquid at a glance—it had a certain bonus in the summer. Its disadvantage lay in the chef's control over the proportions.
"Adjust the mint leaf proportion, I'll remember that."
Ryōko Sakaki nodded and stood to the side, then lowered her head in a pensive state.
At this point, only Alice Nakiri and Erina Nakiri had yet to present their dishes. Even with so many eyes on them, the two paid no mind to the outside world, completely focused, their gazes fixed on the braising pots in front of them.
"It's done!"
Erina Nakiri let out a low cry, excitedly lifting the braised goose from the pot and placing it on the cutting board to slice it into small pieces.
When she looked up, she was surprised to find everyone looking at her, and she immediately felt a bit embarrassed.
"What's wrong, is there something on my face? Why is everyone staring at me?"
You and Alice are the only ones who haven't brought up your dishes yet. Who else would they be looking at?
"It's nothing, hurry and bring it over."
Dylan complained wildly in his mind, while his attention was focused on the dish in front of Erina Nakiri, a plate of braised goose meat.
"This is a Lion Head Goose, which is very suitable for making braised dishes. This one is about 140 days old, which is when its meat is at its most tender."
Placing the dish in front of the three judges, Erina Nakiri took a step back and began her introduction.
This dish was a Chinese dish she had learned from an old master chef some time ago. Although they were all braised dishes, different regional cuisines have different braising methods. Hers was the Chaoshan method, which she had also just recently learned.
She had originally planned to find a time to showcase it and give Dylan a surprise, but she unexpectedly ran into a cooking competition, and Alice even challenged her directly. Well, she couldn't be blamed for preparing in advance this time!
As if thinking of something, Erina Nakiri glanced at Alice Nakiri with a mischievous smile.
Besides using a Chaoshan braising liquid, the Lion Head Goose is also a very prized breed. It has a robust body, a long neck, and five tumor-like bumps on its head that resemble a lion's head.
If raised for five years, a single goose head can be worth 100,000 yen, and even then, demand exceeds supply, which gives you an idea of how delicious it is.
Unfortunately, the goose head she had purchased was still on pre-order and had not yet arrived, so she could only use this Lion Head Goose that she had bought recently and was originally planning to raise herself.
"A Lion Head Goose? I once ate a goose head at a restaurant. I quite miss that flavor. I didn't expect to have my fill again today."
Thinking back to his travels in Chaoshan years ago and the worldly delicacies he had tasted, Dylan swallowed, then looked at the braised goose before him. This wasn't his first time eating it. After all, braised goose is quite famous in Chaoshan, and the Lion Head Goose is a local specialty. He had eaten quite a lot of it.
However, he was a bit surprised that Erina Nakiri brought out such a dish. He had thought it would be a more Western-style meal, but it turned out to be authentic Chinese cuisine. It seemed she had been completely Sinicized by him.
"Hehe, then you have to taste it carefully and see if it's different from what you ate back then. Mine should be more delicious."
Erina Nakiri was very confident. She had learned this from a Special Grade Chef in a private lesson, all for the sake of having more opportunities to perform for Dylan.
Only by performing dazzlingly enough would he be willing to spend time and energy cultivating her. To compete for Dylan's favor, she was willing to give her all!
"Then let me be the first to try."
Seeing Dylan and Erina Nakiri chattering on, Rindo Kobayashi dropped all pretense, picked up her chopsticks, and put a piece of goose meat directly into her mouth.
"The meat is tender and juicy, rich but not greasy, and melts in your mouth. With every bite, you can feel the rich aroma and the profound layers of the braise."
Compared to the duck meat she had just tasted, the texture of the goose meat was noticeably fuller and more solid. Its meat fibers were also firmer and coarser, which was why Erina Nakiri had taken so long and was the second to last to present; goose meat requires a longer stewing time to become tender and flavorful.
"The goose skin, after a long braising process, has become soft and elastic, rich in gelatin. It's both satisfying and delicate to bite into. In terms of both texture and taste, it's a step above the previous duck skin. A Lion Head Goose truly is high quality. And this braising liquid is quite authentic."
Dylan also put a slice of goose meat into his mouth, and his eyes lit up as he began to praise it.
Because he had just eaten the duck meat, the comparison with the goose meat was exceptionally stark. The goose meat fibers were coarser and had absorbed more of the braising liquid's flavor, and the Chaoshan braising liquid had a heavier taste.
"Your issue lies in the details. The goose meat was handled meticulously, and your control over the braising ingredient proportions was also very good, but you didn't quite grasp the blanching time and braising time. I suggest you calculate the time based on the Lion Head Goose's weight. Soaking it for a bit will also make it more flavorful. Nevertheless, this is still an excellent dish. To reach this level at your age is already very impressive."
Ingredients of different sizes require different braising times, especially for something like a whole goose put in the pot, where calculating the braising time is even more crucial. If she could nail the braising time, the quality of this braised goose would be infinitely close to a Luminescent dish. With a few more perfected details, reaching the level of a Luminescent dish wouldn't be impossible.
"Okay, I'll pay attention next time."
"Oh yeah!"
Receiving Dylan's praise, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but cheer in excitement, though she maintained a composed expression on her face. She then looked over at Alice.
At the same time, Alice Nakiri also finished her dish. She met Erina's gaze with a provocative smile, then strode forward to present her dish.
"Braised Seafood Platter."
"Please enjoy, Master Dylan~"
When she said the last two words, Alice Nakiri deliberately drew out the sound. As she set down the dish, her pinky finger brushed against the back of Dylan's hand, bringing a faint warmth, like being gently caressed on the soul with a feather.
"Braised Seafood Platter…"
Dylan murmured as he looked at the plate before him. Inside was an assortment of various braised seafood, gathered together on one plate, looking exceptionally abundant.
And among all this seafood, the most eye-catching was the soft-shell crab placed in the center. It had just molted, its new shell being relatively soft, so she had used it directly for braising, as this would allow it to better absorb the flavor of the braising liquid.
Now, one could only imagine how supremely delicious this soft-shell crab, soaked in braising liquid, would be!
______
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