Color!
Aroma!
Taste!
A good dish excels in all three of these major factors.
But the Burgundy Beef Bourguignon placed before them was somewhat different from what they usually saw.
Its color was extremely dark, even to the point of being black, completely lacking any aesthetic appeal, and it made people lose their appetite just by looking at it!
However, the entire dish, with the aroma of red wine and meat blended together, appeared so restrained yet rich.
"Huh?"
"This is…?"
"Burgundy Beef Bourguignon, the purest traditional method?"
Beside her, Tadokoro Megumi's eyes flickered a few times, and she quickly discovered the secret of this dish.
...
When talking about French cuisine,
Many people's minds conjure up these words:
Elegant.
High-class.
Grade A foie gras.
Veal.
Caviar.
Truffles.
These world-renowned dishes.
Not only are they delicious, but they are also made exceptionally exquisite and beautiful.
Sometimes, one truly can't help but marvel at the French culinary philosophy of striving for perfection; the plating alone has already won!
But in reality, French cuisine is not only about noble and exquisite dishes.
Down-to-earth country dishes also possess a wonderful charm.
For example, the Burgundy Beef Bourguignon before them, though it is an authentic local dish, was a common household meal for ordinary people two or three hundred years ago.
But relying on its unexpected flavor, it eventually became a legend in French cuisine!
At this moment,
Tadokoro Megumi, who specialized in local cuisine,
Seemed very eager to peek into the secret of this French local dish, so she was the first to cut a small piece of beef, slightly parted her lips, and took a bite.
...
No amazement.
No breathtaking sensation.
Only that unexpected flavor, at the moment it touched her heartstrings, made Tadokoro Megumi feel indescribable!
Thinking carefully, how long had it been since she had eaten such a uniquely warm food?
Hmm!
What exactly were they?
She only remembered that she had always lived in a small port city in the Tohoku region of Japan.
The location was very remote, and it was extremely cold in winter.
Fortunately, the local people were relatively warm and hospitable, and her family also ran a culinary ryokan, Shueien, so her childhood life was not that boring.
However,
In her 12th year,
Because she was accepted into Totsuki, she had no choice but to come to Tokyo alone.
Before parting with her mother, her mother used some local seasonal ingredients to meticulously prepare a local specialty dish for her to taste.
At that time, perhaps she was still immersed in the joy of entering Totsuki.
She hadn't realized how delicious her mother's cooking was, only feeling that it was very warm to eat, which made her feel extremely comfortable!
That's right!
It was that dish.
She recalled that she was once the most outstanding chef in her hometown.
And at such a young age, she had even been admitted to Japan's top Totsuki Academy.
And when everyone had high hopes, and when she thought her future would be bright, she never expected that she would graduate last.
At the same time, she also faced the risk of expulsion during the first class after the school started.
Thinking of this, Tadokoro Megumi slowly opened her bright eyes.
She involuntarily looked back at the plate of Burgundy Beef Bourguignon, and the emotions she had suppressed for so long finally erupted at this moment!
"Mom!"
"This is Mom's flavor!"
Perhaps her own predicament made her feel unsure how to face her mother in the future.
Or perhaps Sosuke's dish truly stirred some of her memories, and thus she couldn't help but shed tears.
...
Professional!
Expert!
Yet it seemed a bit distant and polite.
The Shopkeeper of this Izakaya had always been full of confidence and self-respect.
Although he would cook from the perspective of the diners, he would never actively bow and scrape to them.
He always just wanted to recommend his most sincere side and the best flavors to every diner who came to the Izakaya.
Therefore, in the eyes of many,
Even Rindo, who came frequently, believed that only Sosuke's cooking in this world had the most human touch.
But looking at Tadokoro Megumi's cooking style, she actually also had a gentle and human side.
It's just that during every assessment, she would be unable to perform normally due to nervousness and panic, slowly becoming the last-place "tail-ender."
The beef, stewed until tender and flavorful, after absorbing the aroma of red wine, felt incredibly soft and juicy with just a small piece gently picked up and put into the mouth, and the chewiness was just right.
Take a bite.
Rich, savory.
Every thread permeated with the fragrant aroma of wine.
And the substantial meat texture and slightly tart wine flavor continuously blended in the mouth, bringing a completely new and unique satisfaction.
So, Tadokoro Megumi ate the Burgundy Beef Bourguignon while shedding tears and wolfing it down.
As for Yoshino Yuki and Sakaki Ryoko beside her, seeing her so moved to tears by a dish, they were both stunned!
Could it be that now, dishes had to make people cry?
Feeling helpless, they could only pick up their knives and forks, cut the beef, and taste it lightly.
...
Eating and drinking, besides being full and satisfied,
Pursuing the balance of taste and texture, and adding charm to each other, is also a goal many people pursue.
Generally speaking,
When wine enters the mouth,
It will bring some bitter and astringent tastes, which are caused by the tannins in the wine.
Tannins combine with proteins in saliva, causing local muscles in the mouth to contract, reducing saliva secretion, creating a tightening sensation that makes one feel dry.
But at the same time, as phenolic substances, they can neutralize the fat in beef, reduce the greasy feeling, and break down proteins, making the meat more tender and delicious, releasing its flavor!
Therefore, it can be said that red wine and beef are truly the most perfect match in the world.
Unconsciously,
Yoshino Yuki and Sakaki Ryoko.
Their chewing motions gradually became slower and slower.
It seemed as if they wanted to feel the rich flavor of the beef gradually spreading after being torn and crushed in their mouths through careful chewing.
Finally, time slowly passed.
The entire Izakaya became quiet, with only the sounds of these three Polar Star Dormitory girls eating beef.
Soon, Tadokoro Megumi was the first to finish an entire plate of Burgundy Beef Bourguignon.
Even the tiny bit of sauce left on the plate, she didn't want to waste, quickly mixing it with the mashed potato side dish and eating it clean.
"Phew!"
"It was truly amazing!"
The moment she finished eating, Tadokoro Megumi suddenly felt incredibly calm.
"Shopkeeper."
"I… I really made a fool of myself!"
After regaining her composure, she quickly wiped away a few tears from the corners of her eyes.
Recalling that she had cried while eating in front of Sosuke's Restaurant, she couldn't help but feel shy!
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you're having fun with the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone for me!