The rich belly meat, the tender fish brain, and some of the fish innards that would normally be discarded as waste were now all neatly arranged on the cutting board.
"What is he going to make?"
"Is there even enough time…"
"I don't know what kind of dish he'll serve in the end, and what did that kid mean by, 'a dish that combines the appetizer and the main course into one?!'"
Seeing the various ingredients laid out on Okabe's cutting board, the crowd couldn't help but discuss among themselves, their eyes filled with inquiry as they watched him.
"Kannoyama Hikorintarou, something doesn't seem right…"
Himeshima Kou said in a low voice, "That boy's eyes… they've changed."
Kannoyama Hikorintarou frowned and looked over, only to see Okabe standing before the stove, his entire presence completely different from before.
If he was a hermit with his blade hidden in its sheath while slicing the sashimi, then now he was a swordsman with his edge fully revealed!
"Just putting on a show."
Watching Okabe in this state, Kannoyama Hikorintarou snorted coldly and continued, "There's barely any time left.
Their appetizer is already served. If the main course is slow to prepare and fails to resonate with the appetizer in flavor, the final outcome will still be defeat!
Cooking has never relied on a moment of heated passion; you can't create a top-tier dish that way!"
"That's true. If cooking didn't require detailed planning and could be perfected with just a rush of blood to the head, then the profession of a chef wouldn't exist in this world."
Hearing Kannoyama Hikorintarou's words, the slight anxiety that had arisen in Himeshima Kou from Okabe's statement vanished completely, replaced by a confidence even stronger than before.
And what about Erina Nakiri?
Since she had already served the appetizer and started speaking, it would be a violation of the rules for her to go back and help now, so she could only remain obediently in her spot.
Okabe was deaf to the discussions around him.
At this moment, he was processing the sea bream belly. This time, he wasn't slicing it into thin pieces as before, but into thick slices two millimeters wide. He arranged half of them evenly on a bed of ice, and the other half he left on the cutting board.
Simultaneously, he set up a frying pan and poured in rapeseed oil.
When the oil temperature rose, he placed the sea bream belly slices from the cutting board into the pan.
With a sizzle, the edges of the fish instantly turned golden. Okabe's chopsticks moved constantly in the pan, and after pan-frying the sea bream belly slices until golden on both sides, he removed them and placed them on the ice to cool.
The golden-fried sea bream belly slices made contact with the cold ice, and their temperature dropped in an instant.
"When pan-fried at high heat, the fish fibers expand, and the pores open up, firmly locking in the rich oils and juices.
Then, the sudden ice bath causes the surface fibers to contract rapidly, forming a thin, tight protective film that completely seals in the previously absorbed heat and flavor."
Watching Okabe cook, Senzaemon Nakiri explained the reason behind his actions.
And before the sound of his commentary had fully faded, Okabe made a move that shocked everyone present.
He took a spoonful of the sea bream broth left over from making the sashimi and poured it directly into the frying pan.
The milky-white fish broth mixed with the oil in the pan. With the rapid stirring of a ladle, it gradually emulsified into a pure white sauce.
Then, Okabe poured in a little sake and mirin, squeezed in the tart juice of a lemon and a bit of wasabi, and finally sprinkled in a pinch of finely grated yuzu peel, stirring it all evenly.
"Using the fish-frying oil to prepare a fish broth sauce—that's a rather bold idea. The ratio of oil to broth must be grasped perfectly. The slightest deviation could cause the entire sauce to separate, ruining the effort. And the timing of the stirring is equally crucial. A moment too soon or a moment too late will affect the final texture of the sauce."
Gongsun Yu's eyes held a look of admiration.
Okabe's knife skills were already astonishing enough; he didn't expect that his control over heat and ingredients had also reached a level unattainable by ordinary people. Truly a disciple from Ryōzanpaku.
"Wait, when did that clay pot appear? It seems to have been simmering on the stove this whole time…"
Suddenly, he noticed a clay pot next to the one Okabe was using to make the sauce, simmering over a low flame.
His expression turned questioning as he looked toward Erina Nakiri, waiting for an answer.
"That's a sea bream head soup that Okabe was simmering on the side while he was making the dashi from the fish bones and scraps…"
Sensing Gongsun Yu's gaze, Erina Nakiri explained with a smile.
At the same time, Okabe at the cooking station lifted the lid of the clay pot beside him.
The moment the lid was lifted, a rich, savory aroma spread out in all directions as if it were tangible. It was a flavor completely different from the pan-fried fish, something much more mellow and profound!
Inside the clay pot, the milky-white broth was still gently bubbling.
A whole sea bream head rested at the bottom, its eyes turned grayish-white, a clear sign that all its essence had melted into the soup.
But what was most eye-catching was not this incredibly rich, milky-white broth, but the several pale golden ingredients floating and sinking within the pot.
"What's in the pot? It's golden and looks so appetizing. Is it fried rice cake?!"
"I can't see clearly. Could it be the fish he fried earlier? When did he put it in?!"
"Maybe it's crispy fried pork? Crispy, golden fried pork that has soaked up that fragrant fish head soup... just thinking about it makes my mouth water!"
The surrounding audience, seeing this scene, began discussing in small groups. They were all curious about the floating objects in the fish soup; unbelievably, not a single person had noticed Okabe putting them into the pot.
It wasn't just the audience; the three judges on the panel also wore expressions of curiosity.
"It's Steamed Sea Bream Liver Custard."
"We minced the sea bream liver, steamed it with egg mixture until set, then cut it into cubes, lightly pan-fried them, and finally placed them in the fish broth."
Lifting the stove along with the clay pot, Okabe walked up to the judges' table.
"Steamed Sea Bream Liver Custard?"
Hearing Okabe's voice approaching, a hint of surprise flashed in Li Wuque's eyes.
He looked closely at the pale golden cubes in the clay pot and could indeed make out the characteristic delicate texture of steamed egg custard, but the outer layer had been pan-fried to an incredibly tempting golden-brown, making it difficult for the uninformed to identify.
"Combining fish liver with steamed egg, then pan-frying it before placing it in the fish head soup…"
"This method is truly ingenious.
The steamed custard itself is soft and can fully absorb the broth, while the fried outer layer not only adds aroma but also provides a contrast of crispiness and softness upon entering the mouth."
Gongsun Yu wore a thoughtful expression.
However… sea bream liver is an extremely delicate ingredient, with a strong fishy taste and a tendency to be overcooked.
Steaming an egg mixture with an ingredient requires grasping that fleeting moment of doneness. To then pan-fry and place it in soup is an even more severe test of heat control. The fact that the finished product could maintain its perfect shape in the boiling broth, without falling apart or turning mushy, was enough to demonstrate the profound skill of the chef behind it.
"This dish is called the Sea Bream Quintet!"
Placing the clay pot and the stove together on the judges' table, Okabe's voice was impassioned.
"Now, I invite the three of you to add the remaining sea bream slices from the appetizer, the properly cut sea bream belly slices, and the pan-fried sea bream belly slices into the pot.
The cooking time for the sea bream slices is two seconds, the sea bream belly slices for five seconds, and for the pan-fried sea bream belly slices, I suggest cooking for at least thirty seconds to allow the flavor of the fish broth to thoroughly infuse them."
"What remaining sashimi slices from the appetizer? Didn't we eat them all?!"
Hearing Okabe's words, Senzaemon Nakiri frowned slightly. The young man hadn't said to leave any sea bream slices behind, and now the plate was empty except for the ice.
"Don't worry, the secret is hidden beneath the ice!"
As he spoke, Okabe took out the Seven-Star Knife: Wu Qu hanging from his waist and gave it a beautiful flourish.
A flash of silver light passed, and the top of the ice mound, which had been shaped like a small hill, was sent flying. Then, the translucent fish slices in the middle section appeared before the three judges.
"You actually hid fish slices under the ice? I was wondering why there was only one chrysanthemum flower presented when the sea bream slices were cut so thinly.
I thought it was because your knife skills were unrefined, resulting in many failures, and you only served the best ones to hide your weakness. It seems I was being too presumptuous."
Looking at the translucent sea bream slices under the ice, Gongsun Yu's eyes flickered with surprise.
"So that's how it is. The broth poured over the slices on top of the ice made their flavor richer, while the ones underneath are pure sea bream slices, meant to be eaten shabu-shabu style. However, the use of a clay pot with fish slices is somewhat similar to the clay pot fish slices from Guangdong."
Li Wuque's eyes moved slightly.
Because he had been observing Okabe the whole time, he had actually discovered the secret beneath the sea bream slices long ago, but he didn't know what the boy planned to do, so he didn't say anything. Now, the truth was finally revealed.
"Then let's give it a try."
The clay pot gently boiled over the flame, and the rich umami of the fish wafted towards them.
Senzaemon Nakiri picked up his chopsticks, took a slice of sea bream from the ice, placed it in the pot for two seconds, then dipped it in the new sauce Okabe had served and brought it to his mouth.
The next moment, his eyes widened instantly, and his expression became somewhat stiff.
"This unparalleled deliciousness! The sea bream, thin as silk with a light and smooth texture, is perfectly combined with the essence of the sea bream head soup.
Paired with the complex Japanese-style sauce that integrates richness, freshness, mellowness, and a spicy fragrance, it's like a bomb exploding in my mouth!"
In that instant, the tattered clothes on Senzaemon Nakiri's body seemed to have finally reached their breaking point, being cut into tiny shreds by countless sharp blades of flavor and falling to the ground. His incredibly muscular upper body was once again exposed to the gazes of the audience.
"There it is, the 'Half-body Clothes-Rip'! Is the clothes-ripping that didn't happen earlier being made up for now?"
"Just by swishing it in the clay pot, it can change so much. It's truly unbelievable!"
As Senzaemon Nakiri's clothes burst, the audience erupted in a thunderous cheer.
Every person's face was alight with excitement.
"This kid has some skills…"
Watching Okabe, who had made Senzaemon Nakiri's clothes burst, Lan Kexin couldn't help but show an appreciative expression, clearly not expecting him to be so capable.
"Damn it, this kid's dish… I have a bad feeling about this…"
Himeshima Kou's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Seeing Senzaemon Nakiri's torn shirt, she realized she had underestimated these two kids.
"Relax. It took them until the main course to make the Nakiri patriarch do a 'Half-body Clothes-Rip.' We achieved that with just our appetizer.
In terms of culinary excellence, we are far superior to them…"
Kannoyama Hikorintarou spoke up at this moment, but compared to before, his voice clearly lacked some confidence, and his gaze had turned sinister.
"That's true, we still have a chance…"
Before Himeshima Kou could finish her sentence, another "RIIIP—" sound was heard.
The remaining hem of Senzaemon Nakiri's lower kimono burst apart, the fragments scattering like butterflies before slowly falling to the ground and piling up into a small mound.
"This… How is this possible?!"
Noticing Senzaemon Nakiri's completely shredded clothes, Himeshima Kou's face showed an expression of disbelief.
Then she noticed the golden, block-shaped object held by his chopsticks. Was that the Steamed Sea Bream Liver Custard?!
"The sea bream liver, with blood vessels and membranes removed, is minced with a knife, mixed with sake and ginger slices to remove the fishiness, blanched, then removed and set aside to be steamed with the egg mixture.
The steamed sea bream liver custard is left to cool naturally and cut into uniform blocks with a knife.
The surface is briefly pan-fried to form a thin, crispy crust, while the inside retains the ultimate smoothness of steamed custard.
This way, the rich flavor of the sea bream liver is perfectly integrated into the egg custard, without a single trace of fishiness, leaving only a deep umami flavor."
Senzaemon Nakiri closed his eyes as he spoke.
The richness of the liver, the smoothness of the custard, and the umami of the fish soup exploded in his mouth all at once, like a cluster bomb.
This was the fundamental reason for his clothes bursting.
"First, the ultimate freshness of the chilled sashimi, like a new birth, bursting with vitality. Then, after a brief aftertaste, the gentle sweetness, like growth, a foundation gradually forming.
Next is the rich aroma of the pan-fried sea bream slices, as if forged through trials, the flavor sublimating.
Finally, this Steamed Sea Bream Liver Custard, after soaking up the broth, possesses a mellow depth, a precipitation and fusion, a return to simplicity…"
Tasting the sea bream slices one by one in order, carefully sensing the changes within, Li Wuque revealed the true mystery of this dish: "This quartet is not just a layering of textures, but it also perfectly portrays the life journey of a sea bream, from fresh to rich, from simple to complex!
The appetizer and main course are not separate, but an indivisible whole, a progressive culinary narrative!
No wonder you said this was a dish that combined the appetizer and main course into one. Truly brilliant!"
As he spoke, Li Wuque closed his eyes. At this moment, he once again found himself in the great ocean, transformed into a tiny fish egg.
With the rhythm of life, the fry broke out from the egg, began to feed on plankton, then entered the juvenile stage to transform and grow, enduring hardships to become an adult fish, and finally growing old in the sea over time.
This experience was far less intense than the one from Himeshima Kou and Kannoyama Hikorintarou's dish, but its gradual progression allowed one to better appreciate the preciousness of life.
If Himeshima Kou and Kannoyama Hikorintarou had fused the essence of an entire chicken into their dish, then Okabe had condensed the life journey of a sea bream into this one pot!
The raw portion was almost negligible to the dish as a whole. Although its texture was slightly different from the initially served sea bream slices, there was no fundamental change.
"Remove that superfluous portion of raw sea bream belly, and your dish will achieve its complete form. Let's call it the Sea Bream Quartet!"
Closing his eyes to savor the deliciousness of the sea bream, Gongsun Yu looked at Okabe and Erina Nakiri and offered a constructive suggestion.
And as his words fell, a familiar system notification sound echoed in Okabe's mind.
[ Detected that the host has successfully conceived and, under the guidance of Gongsun Yu, completed the dish Sea Bream Quartet. Unlocking the recipe Sea Bream Quartet (Purple) now. ]
[ Sea Bream Quartet (Purple) ]: Centered on a whole red sea bream, this dish presents a symphony of flavors depicting the life journey of the fish through an exquisite combination of four different parts and cooking techniques. It includes four main elements: chilled thin-sliced back meat sashimi, warm-swished thin-sliced back meat, pan-fried golden sea bream belly, and Steamed Sea Bream Liver Custard, served with a kombu and sea bream bone broth base and a specially prepared complex sauce, creating a four-part flavor progression from fresh to mellow.
[ Proficiency ]: Adept (1/1000)
[ Note: Increasing the recipe's proficiency will enhance the smoothness of the transitions between the four flavor layers and the overall harmony, with a higher probability of creating a dish with the characteristics of 「 Rhythm of Life, 」 「 Interweaving of Ice and Fire, 」 and 「 Resonance of Umami. 」 ]
"Is it because I developed most of this dish myself?
Or is it due to the bonus from my fundamental skills like knife work and heat control that the initial proficiency is already at the Adept level? Truly incredible."
Looking at the information on the system panel, Okabe's expression held a hint of surprise.
"And… this dish actually reached the level of a purple recipe. Does the system rate it that highly?"
Seeing the (Purple) suffix after Sea Bream Quartet, the corners of Okabe's mouth curled up uncontrollably. This was the first time he had ever developed a purple-level dish.
"Now, let's begin the final judgment."
Amidst his excitement, Senzaemon Nakiri's voice reached Okabe's ears, which brought him back to his senses for a moment.
He exchanged a glance with Erina Nakiri and saw the tension in her eyes.
Opposite them, Kannoyama Hikorintarou and Himeshima Kou were the same.
The look of certain victory they had at the beginning was gone. Their fists were clenched, and their gazes were fixed on Senzaemon Nakiri, who stood with his arms crossed.
"The two of you, your dish was very delicious. You brought out the entire flavor of a single chicken, and even sublimated its taste.
If I'm not mistaken, you used a pheasant from Yamanashi Prefecture, correct?
It's smaller in size, with tender, springy meat, and high-quality ones can even be used for sashimi. It's impressive that you were able to find one in such a short time."
Senzaemon Nakiri looked at Kannoyama Hikorintarou and Himeshima Kou, his voice filled with emotion.
"That's right. A large portion of the ingredients here were personally selected and caught by us."
Hearing Senzaemon Nakiri's words, Himeshima Kou answered truthfully.
Because they didn't know the theme, she and Kannoyama Hikorintarou had gone to many places yesterday. They found this pheasant while gathering wild delicacies in the Yamanashi Prefecture area.
The locals told them it was delicious, so they butchered it and made a soup to taste it that day. Finding it to their liking, they brought it to the competition venue to see if it could be used.
They never expected this round's theme to be so broad; their preparations had not been in vain.
Senzaemon Nakiri's tone shifted, his gaze becoming sharp: "Your appetizer and main course were both excellent, but there was a subtle flaw in the side dish of your main course, namely the sauce for the chicken meatballs."
Kannoyama Hikorintarou and Himeshima Kou were both stunned.
"The sauce?"
Himeshima Kou repeated subconsciously, looking towards Kannoyama Hikorintarou beside her, whose face was also filled with bewilderment.
"That's right."
"When you were grilling the chicken meatballs, in pursuit of the charred aroma from a fierce flame, you added the soy sauce and mirin immediately after pouring in the sake.
This timing seemed perfect, but in reality, there was a minute time-lag issue."
Gongsun Yu's voice rang out; he was the first to discover this problem. Under his Super Taste, no issue in a dish could escape his tongue.
He picked up his chopsticks, gently moved aside the remaining chicken meatball on the plate, and split it open with the chopsticks, fully exposing its cross-section.
"The moment sake is poured into a hot pan, the alcohol evaporates rapidly, which indeed brings out the grilled aroma of the fierce flame.
But the sugars and amino acids in the soy sauce and mirin, under such a drastic temperature change, will caramelize too quickly and produce a slight bitterness.
This bitterness is extremely subtle, almost completely masked by the rich soy sauce flavor and the umami of the chicken, but during the aftertaste, the tip of the tongue will feel a faint, almost imperceptible dryness…"
Watching Kannoyama Hikorintarou's face gradually turn pale, Gongsun Yu continued speaking without pause.
Among the three judges, his culinary skill might not be the strongest, but when it came to the ability to critique food, the other two couldn't hold a candle to him.
"If you had waited one or two seconds after pouring in the sake, allowing the alcohol to fully evaporate and the peak of the flame to pass, and then added the soy sauce and mirin once the pan's temperature had stabilized slightly, the flavor of the sauce would have been more rounded, and that subtle bitterness could have been avoided."
Hearing Gongsun Yu's explanation, Li Wuque picked up a now-cold chicken meatball and put it in his mouth. A hint of regret flashed in his eyes; no wonder he had felt something was off.
"In comparison, Okabe and Erina's dish has a clearly higher degree of completion. Although the raw sea bream belly slice was a bit redundant, it cannot be called a mistake."
Gongsun Yu made it very clear. Although Okabe and Erina Nakiri's Sea Bream Quartet had an extra raw sea bream belly slice, this slice was optional—it didn't have to be cooked—and didn't affect the overall taste of the dish.
Beyond that, there was also a difference in the conception of the two dishes.
However, the perception of this aspect varies from person to person, and the difference was nowhere near as obvious as in the first round. In a situation where one side had a clear flaw and the other did not, they weren't prepared to delve deeper into this topic.
"Therefore, the second match—"
"The winners are the team of Okabe and Erina Nakiri!"
As he spoke, Senzaemon Nakiri rose from his seat. Looking out at the surrounding audience, he waved his large hand and announced the final victors of this match.
As his voice fell, the entire arena erupted.
Kannoyama Hikorintarou and Himeshima Kou's faces were ashen. Their lips moved as if they wanted to say something, but when the words reached their mouths, nothing came out.
"What a pair of useless fools. Placing my hopes in you was indeed a mistake…"
A cold voice drifted from afar. A light breeze swept through, and a tall, straight-backed man appeared on the training ground.
Next to him was a small, exquisite bronze vessel.
It was a Legendary Cooking Utensil.
The Demonic Bronze Sacred Vessel!
____
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