"Run again, can you escape, little thing?"
It flees, he chases, it has no wings to fly!
That's probably the situation right now. Holding a lively chicken in his hand, weighing about one to one and a half catties, Hoshino Sora's expression was excited, and he strode towards the kitchen.
This was a fine Three Yellow Chicken.
"You've found everything. What are you going to make?"
Placing the ingredients Hoshino Sora needed on an empty cooking station, Erina Nakiri looked at the boy preparing at the cooking station with curiosity.
Three Yellow Chicken, paired with such a minimal amount of seasoning, what kind of delicious dish could possibly be made?
"A famous Chinese dish. You can look forward to it a little."
"Hoshino-kun really likes Chinese dishes, doesn't he?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who deliberately held back information by extending a finger, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but exclaim. The boy in her memory especially liked Chinese dishes.
"Because proper Chinese dishes are quite high-class. Both in taste and variety, they are very rich, directly occupying half the culinary world.
Even without any innovation, as long as I master a portion of the dishes within, I can become one of the rare top chefs in the world."
Hoshino Sora explained softly. Although innovation is also very important, learning tradition and respecting the excellent experiences of ancestors are also essential, because those are experiences they have gained over dozens or hundreds of years, from generation to generation!
"While I don't deny that, a chef still needs to have something of their own. Improving dishes based on customer tastes is also very important."
"I know. I'm not so incapable. That's a basic for a chef."
With a swift motion of the knife, he quickly dispatched the chicken in front of him, then blanched it in hot water to remove feathers, gutted it to remove internal organs. In about ten minutes, it was completely processed, leaving no scraps.
There was not a single feather visible to the naked eye. Seeing this, Hoshino Sora transferred the chicken to the cutting board and began to cut it, simply put, severing below the thigh joint.
The processing ended here.
Green onions, cilantro, ginger smashed and then diagonally sliced three times, all put into boiling water, add a few spoonfuls of salt, a little white wine, Shaoxing wine to remove fishy smells, and then a little salad oil to keep it warm.
"Your seasoning is so clean."
"This dish primarily focuses on a light taste. The emphasis is on the soulful sauce and the extremely tender chicken. You'll know the specifics once you taste it later."
Listening to Erina Nakiri's complaint from the side, Hoshino Sora softly explained.
"So mysterious."
"Get me some ice cubes."
"You really know how to order people around. Aren't the ice cubes closer to you?"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's command, a subtle dissatisfaction appeared on Erina Nakiri's face. This was the second time. In the past, only she ordered others around, but now it was others ordering her around.
"I'm already cooking especially for you, and I'm doing most of the work. Can't you even help with a small favor now?
Little Erina, you won't be able to get married if you're like this, you know."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's complaint, Hoshino Sora put down the chicken he had just picked up. He found that this girl's thinking was a bit problematic; she wasn't even willing to lend a hand.
Wasn't he asking her for help so they could eat this dish sooner?
"But I cooked the steak all by myself last night too, and I didn't see you helping me out."
"You didn't say anything when we went out last night either. How about this, I'll help you tonight, and now you help me out. Let's finish quickly and fill our stomachs quickly."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's urging, Erina Nakiri immediately sprang into action. Although she kept complaining, her movements were not hesitant at all, and she began scooping up ice cubes.
"I can do it myself."
"Look, look, there you go again. I want to help you, but you don't want it. Then afterwards, you'll say I didn't help you. Do you want me to help you or not?
Alright, stop talking. For now, you listen to me. I'll come help you when you're cooking tonight. It's decided, no objections."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's soft muttering, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but reach out and cover her mouth, then took the ice water from her hand and placed it next to the boiling pot, beginning the operation.
The chicken was placed in the pot and blanched for thirty seconds, then taken out whole and put into ice water. After thirty seconds of chilling, it was returned to the pot.
This was repeated three times, each for thirty seconds. Finally, when the water boiled, a plate was used to cover the chicken and place it inside the pot. The purpose of this was to completely submerge the chicken's surface in the water.
After that, he covered the pot, turned off the heat, and let it simmer. Based on the size of the chicken, Hoshino Sora decided to simmer it for 38 minutes. During the waiting process, Hoshino Sora could clearly see confusion on Erina Nakiri's face.
"This is called 'Three Dips and Three Lifts,' a traditional method for Chinese poached chicken. Now, after about forty more minutes, this chicken will be simmered to perfection. It can be understood as low-temperature cooking. The taste is more delicious than chicken cooked in ordinary ways, with crispy skin and tender meat. You can experience the subtle wonders for yourself later."
"Poached Chicken, I've heard of it. It's a famous dish from the Guangdong region of China, but can it really be simmered to perfection with just hot water? This method of preparation is the first I've heard of."
Although Erina Nakiri was the princess of the Japanese culinary world and had tasted many foreign high-end dishes, she was still young and had eaten very few authentic Chinese dishes.
This was her first time seeing poached chicken. Because Far Moon didn't have many skilled Chinese chefs, and even fewer who knew Cantonese cuisine, she was temporarily skeptical about the specific taste.
"It's right that you haven't seen it. Chinese cooking techniques are diverse. If you had seen every single one, you wouldn't just be an Elite Ten in this small place."
"Although what you said is true, I don't know why it sounds so annoying coming from your mouth!"
Looking at Hoshino Sora with a subtle gaze, although what he said was true, did he really have the right to say it? That's roughly the feeling she got.
"…"
Facing Erina's complaint, Hoshino Sora said nothing. Instead, he walked around the kitchen on his own, then took out the ingredients he had asked her to find earlier and began making the dipping sauce for the poached chicken.
Minced green onions, minced cilantro stems, finely minced smashed ginger, a spoonful of white sugar, half a bowl of light soy sauce, and a little cold boiled water, stirred evenly. Thus, the sauce was complete.
Now, they just needed to wait for the poached chicken in the pot to be simmered to perfection.
However, what the two didn't notice was that outside the room, a strong man was standing sideways with his arms crossed, watching inside the house. Beside him was a young woman who looked full of energy.
"What a fragrant smell. What delicious food are these two making in there?"
Vigorously sniffing, Inui Hinako stared longingly at Hoshino Sora and Erina Nakiri, who were bickering inside the house, or more precisely, at the poached chicken in the pot behind them.
"Dojima-senpai, let's go in and mooch some food."
"Now is not the time. We'll pretend to pass by after that boy finishes preparing the chicken. They won't just let us watch without eating when they see us."
"As expected of Dojima-senpai, your thinking is so thorough!"
Hearing Dojima Gin's words, Inui Hinako couldn't help but give a thumbs up. A senior was a senior; his thinking was frighteningly clear.
Acting like they happened to pass by meant they were invited guests. Going in by themselves was uninvited.
One was invited, the other uninvited. The difference between these two was clear even if you thought about it with your toes!
Thinking of this, Inui Hinako couldn't help but look at Dojima Gin with admiration.
"Heh heh, learn more. Mooching food and drinks also requires technique."
Hearing the praise from his junior, Dojima Gin couldn't help but sigh as he watched the two inside the room.
"Almost there. The chicken should be thoroughly cooked."
He lifted the lid, opened the plate, and looked at the perfectly colored Three Yellow Chicken beneath. Hoshino Sora's face showed anticipation. Then, he tossed the simmered poached chicken into the newly changed ice water, giving it a winter swim. The sudden change in hot and cold would tighten its skin, making it exceptionally crispy.
After all the processing was complete, the poached chicken was moved to the cutting board. One cut took the chicken head, a second cut took the chicken wings, a third cut severed the chicken breast, and a fourth cut trimmed and removed the side meat, paying attention to deboning.
"There's still blood on this! Is it really cooked?"
With sharp knife skills, the entire chicken was quickly processed. The meat and bones were placed on two separate plates. Erina Nakiri looked at the blood vessels attached to the chicken leg bone with a subtle expression, feeling somewhat unable to accept it on a psychological level.
"This is the authentic way to make poached chicken. There's a huge difference in taste between having these blood vessels and not having them. The meat is cooked, but the bone retains blood, which makes it extremely fresh and tender. You handled the heat very well."
A deep, steady voice came from outside the house not far away. Hoshino Sora and Erina Nakiri both turned their gazes towards the doorway upon hearing the voice, then saw a burly man with a buzz cut and a vibrant woman walk in. The woman was still enthusiastically waving and greeting them.
"Inui Hinako, Dojima Gin, what a coincidence, why are you two here?"
Looking at Inui Hinako and Dojima Gin who had appeared, Hoshino Sora's expression was a bit puzzled. What were these two doing here after finishing the student evaluations instead of going back?
"We just happened to be passing by and smelled something fragrant inside, so we came to investigate. Then we saw you cooking. It's truly youthful! I remember a certain someone and I did the same back in the day, hahaha."
Dojima Gin said with a full smile, a rare hint of reminiscence appearing in his eyes. Then, he naturally turned his gaze to the perfectly cut poached chicken in front of him and swallowed.
"If you don't mind, you can eat some with us."
Looking at the two of them, Hoshino Sora asked with a forced smile, wondering if these two were here to freeload. Their next actions further solidified this idea for him.
They were definitely here to freeload!
"This meat is so tender!"
Quickly picking up a piece of chicken, dipping it in the accompanying soul sauce, and taking a bite, Inui Hinako revealed an expression of extreme enjoyment, covering her face with her other hand to savor the taste.
"This is the characteristic of poached chicken, the so-called 'raw chicken, cooked duck.' This kind of chicken with blood vessels is the freshest and most tender, and the texture is the best! The taste can't even be described as merely delicious!
To master poached chicken to such an extent at this age, you must have put in a lot of effort normally."
Dojima Gin praised him while savoring the chicken, a look of admiration on his face. Poached chicken is a dish that requires extremely precise heat control, and it's not easy to do well.
If the heat is too high, the blood vessels disappear, and the meat becomes tough, greatly reducing the taste and texture. If the heat is too low, the meat isn't cooked, and uncooked meat is simply inedible. Mastering the balance in this dish is the most difficult part!
"Hmm, Erina, you should try some too."
Hearing their evaluations, Hoshino Sora nodded in agreement. His hands weren't idle either; he used his chopsticks to pick out some wing meat and thigh meat and offered them to Erina Nakiri. These are the freshest parts of a poached chicken.
Though Erina Nakiri didn't say anything, she was undoubtedly touched by this small gesture. This wasn't the first time; the matters were minor, but such small details are what truly move people's hearts.
Not speaking doesn't mean not remembering.
"Heh heh, this classmate is really considerate."
Noticing Hoshino Sora's small action, Inui Hinako, standing nearby, couldn't help but praise him. A boy doing this really earns points, at least for her.
These two really do have something going on! Otherwise, why would they be privately gathered here after the assessment, and even intimately cooking together? Ah, I feel like I'm about to uncover some major gossip!
"So tender! The skin is crispy, a result of rapid hot and cold alternation. The ultimate freshness bursts in my mouth, like countless energetic chickens swimming in hot water, dancing freely in an icy wonderland…"
As the chicken entered her mouth, Erina Nakiri's eyes seemed to see illusions. The flavors blossoming in her mouth made her body tremble slightly, and even her gaze towards Hoshino Sora became unusual.
How could this guy's progress be so fast?
It's unfair! Too unfair!
She had witnessed Hoshino Sora's growth firsthand. She knew his initial skill level, which is why Erina Nakiri was so shocked after tasting the poached chicken.
This shock was several times greater than that of Inui Hinako and Dojima Gin!
"How is it? The taste didn't disappoint you, did it?"
Looking at Erina Nakiri's slightly complex gaze, Hoshino Sora tilted his head, smiling as he asked. He still remembered the request she had made of him.
If it wasn't delicious, he would be asked to withdraw from school.
"I'll try it with the sauce again. Aren't you eating?"
"Me? You feed me."
Looking at Erina Nakiri, who had dipped the chicken in sauce and was about to put it in her mouth, Hoshino Sora glanced at his own hand and realized he no longer had chopsticks after giving them to her.
"Wh-what? You want me to feed you? Are you kidding? Fine, open your mouth."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Erina Nakiri was first surprised, then a bit flustered. Looking at his slightly open mouth, she finally fed him the next bite of food, completing a feeding.
"Not bad, huh."
Chewing the chicken, Hoshino Sora mumbled, "Not bad." He truly was amazing; his handling of the cooking temperature was spot-on. Crispy skin, tender meat, and bursting with juices!
"Mmm…"
Hoshino Sora chewed happily, while Erina Nakiri looked at the chopsticks in her hand with a flushed face, unsure whether to continue eating or put them down. There was Hoshino Sora's saliva on the chopsticks.
Although not much, it had a significant impact on her mood.
She wanted to put down the chopsticks, but thinking that doing so would make her seem too concerned about the matter, Erina Nakiri remained still. After hesitating for more than ten seconds, she picked up another piece of chicken, pretending as if nothing had happened, and put it into her mouth.
Inui Hinako observed Erina Nakiri's subtle reactions. She understood the little thoughts of high school girls in love perfectly, having been through that age herself.
Who hasn't had a youthful, green period?
Thus, the auntie-like smile on her face could no longer be suppressed, but she didn't say anything explicitly. The subtle emotions between a man and a woman are most interesting when they are ambiguous.
"But, why is it gone so quickly?"
Looking at the plate that had become empty in no time, Inui Hinako's eyes showed a hint of disappointment. Just now, there was a full plate, but it disappeared so quickly.
"Sorry, we ate your lunch."
Rubbing his neatly trimmed buzz cut, Dojima Gin's face showed a bit of embarrassment.
"Since that's the case, you two should come with us. I'll take you to eat our staff meal. By the way, it's a buffet."
"Staff meal? And a buffet…"
Hearing Dojima Gin's words, Hoshino Sora's eyes immediately lit up, then he swallowed. A Far Moon graduate's staff meal? What kind of cuisine would that be?!
"You can look forward to it a little."
Seeing Hoshino Sora's excited expression, Dojima Gin said with a smile, then stood up. Since the other party had brought him such delicious food, he had to reciprocate.
"Then we'll leave it to you."
They exchanged glances. Looking at the slightly flushed Erina Nakiri, Hoshino Sora directly accepted Dojima Gin's invitation on her behalf. Although for her, Elite Ten-level cuisine should be ordinary home cooking.
After all, Erina Nakiri grew up eating high-class cuisine!
But he was different! He hadn't eaten Elite Ten cuisine many times, so he was naturally very much looking forward to it!
"Wipe your mouth."
After making the decision, the two followed Inui Hinako and Dojima Gin out of the classroom. As they walked, Hoshino Sora took a tissue from his clothes and handed it to Erina Nakiri beside him. It wouldn't do for a young lady to be unhygienic.
"…"
Erina Nakiri was first stunned by the tissue Hoshino Sora offered, then noticed her own greasy mouth. Her face immediately flushed, and she took the tissue to wipe her mouth.
This guy is quite meticulous, huh.
Or had he been paying attention to her all along?
Could it be that he had been secretly looking at her face, which is how he noticed? It wasn't impossible, after all, she was naturally beautiful, and few boys standing near her didn't sneak glances.
After wiping her mouth and casually putting the tissue in her pocket, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but let her thoughts wander.
Even her steps became a little off, sometimes light, sometimes firm, sometimes pacing, sometimes jogging.
Hoshino Sora didn't notice any of this. At this moment, his mind was completely focused on the staff buffet Dojima Gin had mentioned. He was practically drooling.
Exchanging a trivial poached chicken for a buffet, he had made a huge profit!
As Dojima Gin pushed open the doors of the buffet restaurant, a dazzling array of delicacies, accompanied by countless Far Moon graduates, appeared before Hoshino Sora and Erina Nakiri.
If it were a typical Far Moon student, seeing this scene would surely scare them to death!
But who were the people present?
Erina Nakiri and Hoshino Sora!
One, a Far Moon young lady, the other, a fearless Master Chef. The scene before them was no different from a small gathering, but they still maintained a respectful attitude.
This was a matter of upbringing.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.