"Jiesis has started."
Flour placed on the cutting board, yeast water added, eggs... Jiesis began kneading the dough.
He needed to knead the dough to the perfect state for fermentation. Although he didn't display any particularly flashy techniques like Nakiri Alice, his fundamentals were rock solid.
Each push and fold of the dough spoke of diligent practice during his youth. Though his current demeanor was arrogant, the Jiesis of his younger days had been an earnest fellow.
Meticulous in his actions, serious about his work, almost cut from the same cloth as Toth. Back then, he had even been named one of Britain's Top Ten Outstanding Young Chefs. Because his childhood sweetheart loved fish, he had desperately researched fish cuisine, and before he knew it, he had become a Special Grade Chef.
As for when he became like this? Jiesis couldn't remember anymore. Perhaps it was the day his childhood sweetheart married his best friend. Perhaps it was the monotonous, day-in-day-out drudgery of life.
Perhaps he had died long ago.
What existed now was merely his empty shell.
After kneading the dough into its basic shape, Jiesis slammed his fist forcefully onto it, making it tougher and more elastic, yet also seeming to vent the anger welling up from deep within his heart.
He didn't know why, under the watchful eyes of thousands, this painful memory suddenly surfaced. Ten years had passed since that day...
"Aaargh!"
Jiesis's voice suddenly rose in a shout, his fists raining down on the dough like hailstones, constantly compressing and deforming it, only for it to spring back.
"Contestant Jiesis is using the power of his fists to furiously pound the dough! This method can make the dough tougher, enhancing the bread's texture. It's quite a good kneading technique!"
Because the audience had already witnessed Nakiri Alice's almost magical kneading skills, although Jiesis's technique also had intensity, the host's introduction sounded somewhat lacking in enthusiasm.
Compared to Alice's, this kneading technique was inferior by more than just a notch in terms of both showmanship and practical effect!
Soon, under Jiesis's relentless pounding, the dough became pliable and elastic. He then covered it with a large bowl, letting it slowly rise in the darkness.
After finishing the dough, the remaining task was cooking the hamburger patty.
As another signature dish of the Nuoyu Restaurant, this dish naturally reached Special Grade quality. It primarily used flounder, shrimp, and cuttlefish.
He precisely cut the flounder fillets, then salted them for a base seasoning.
The shrimp were deveined and processed into a smooth paste, with diced cuttlefish added to enhance the texture. After simple seasoning, it was placed in the refrigerator to chill and set, locking in the moisture.
The seasoned flounder fillets were laid on the cutting board. The chilled shrimp and cuttlefish mixture was piped onto one half using a pastry bag, and the fillet was folded over to enclose the filling.
Thus, a hamburger patty with a hidden universe inside was completed.
He wrapped the patty tightly in plastic wrap to shape it. If he were following the restaurant's signature recipe, at this point, it would need to go back into the refrigerator to set completely, then be cut into small pieces, placed in a sauce-filled dish, garnished with a smoked eel emulsion, adding the final layer of flavor.
But now, looking at the flounder patty wrapped in plastic, Jiesis simply let it rest in a cool place. He then began preparing the outer coating. Usually, it would be breadcrumbs, but today, he wanted something different!
Looking over at Nakiri Alice, who was humming nonchalantly while simmering dashi stock and handling sea bass with a relaxed expression, Jiesis's lips curled upwards.
This little girl thought she could beat him?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Betting the dignity of a Special Grade Chef, he would win this match! He would show his senior brother that he, Jiesis, was not useless! He was a genius!
"Both contestants are using fish? That's somewhat surprising. But if they're both fish burgers, the comparison will be even more direct."
Touching a finger to the corner of her lips, Sendawara Natsume watched the casually cooking Nakiri Alice with a slightly disappointed expression. She performed so well earlier; I thought she might surprise me again.
Although a fish burger wasn't bad, it ultimately lacked a certain something, failing to break out of the bounds of conventional cuisine. The flavors would likely be quite similar.
"Even if they're both fish burgers, one made with precise ratios will surely be better than one relying solely on the chef's experience. That large, high-precision machine isn't just for show. Perhaps the essence of molecular gastronomy lies in precise, scientific cooking!"
Sendawara Orie stated, clearly favoring Nakiri Alice between the two. There was no particular reason, just an inexplicable feeling that Alice would win. And she had always trusted her intuition.
"Keep watching. This match is far more interesting than you might imagine! And molecular gastronomy is more interesting than I initially thought, too."
Watching the two contestants cook and listening to the discussion between the sisters beside him, Lansi's eyes glinted sharply from time to time. Coming to this match was definitely the right decision.
Anything related to that fellow (Dylan) was never simple!
How could the apprentice taught by such a stunningly talented chef possibly be mediocre?
Lansi thought this inwardly, then glanced again towards the waiting area. Dylan had been standing there since the beginning, still as a wooden statue carved from stone.
Such focus...
•
Time ticked by, second by second. The audience watched Jiesis with rapt attention, as his hamburger construction was nearing its final stages.
The burger buns were already emitting a rich aroma from the oven. At this moment, he was frying the fish patties.
"What a wonderful aroma! That... could it be?"
The rich fragrance wafting through the air made Sendawara Natsume raise an eyebrow in surprise, a flush rising on her cheeks. That scent...
"Correct. It's Kaki no tane," Lansi spoke up at that moment, finishing Sendawara Natsume's thought. "He was busy with that just now using a wok, then crushed them into small pieces with a rolling pin to coat the fish patties." (Kaki no tane is a Japanese snack mix of persimmon seed-shaped rice crackers and peanuts).
Lansi had spoken, answering the question Sendawara Natsume was about to ask.
He had to admit, this Jiesis fellow had quite a few ideas. Using Kaki no tane as a coating for fried fish patties... the texture and flavor should be quite unique.
He was starting to look forward to tasting this burger!
Meanwhile, at Jiesis's station.
He quickly slid the Kaki no tane-coated stuffed fish patties into the hot oil. After they set slightly, he removed them to cool before performing a second fry.
This double-frying technique ensured maximum crispiness, reduced oiliness, and enhanced both the color and aroma of the patties.
"The timing is perfect. Time to assemble."
Looking at the golden-orange fried stuffed fish patties before him, Jiesis muttered to himself and set them aside.
At the same time, the oven timer dinged. The fresh burger buns had reached their optimal baking point. Jiesis sliced them in half horizontally, quickly prepared the other ingredients, and began assembly.
First, a layer of lettuce on the bottom bun, followed successively by the fried fish patty, tomato slices, pickled cucumber slices, and onion rings.
And thus, a burger bursting with color, aroma, and flavor, looking substantial and satisfying, was complete! All that remained was to repeat the process, making three identical servings for the judges.
"Please taste it, esteemed judges."
Looking at the old man (Lansi) smiling at him, Jiesis instinctively shrank back slightly, not quite daring to meet his gaze.
After all, the chefs at his restaurant had previously wanted to beat up this old gentleman. Luckily, they hadn't succeeded, or it would have been a massive blunder.
The big boss of the Northern Europe Gourmet Research Association getting beaten up by his subordinate chefs? A gang assault, no less! The whole idea seemed too absurd...
"This burger looks truly wonderful! Especially that golden fried fish patty in the middle – it looks incredibly appetizing!"
Reaching out, Sendawara Natsume picked up the stuffed fish patty burger before her. She parted her ruby lips and took a bite. Immediately, infinite flavors exploded in her mouth, deepening the blush on her cheeks.
Beneath the table, her smooth, straight legs rubbed together slightly, as if a strange sensation was burgeoning deep within her body, rising upwards.
"The burger bun is baked perfectly – slightly crisp on the outside, yet maintaining an extremely soft texture within! The golden fish patty is tender and juicy, complementing the slight crunch of the Kaki no tane granules perfectly. Every bite is an ultimate temptation for the taste buds!"
"The filling inside perfectly combines the freshness of the flounder, the smoothness of the shrimp paste, and the springiness of the diced cuttlefish! Paired with the fresh crispness of the lettuce, the sweet tang of the tomato slices, the mild acidity and crunch of the pickles..."
Words poured out ceaselessly as Sendawara Natsume delivered her critique with an intoxicated expression, her breathing growing heavier.
She had closed her eyes now, seemingly completely submerged in the delicious ocean of the burger!
"The purple onion rings are the masterstroke! Their hint of sweetness amidst the pungency stimulates the palate, inspiring infinite fantasies about the burger! Mmm..."
Sendawara Orie's cheeks were equally flushed. Her head tilted back towards the ceiling, the arches of her feet curling slightly, clearly suppressing her reaction to the utmost limit.
If not for the large audience present, they would surely have yielded to their most primal desires and let out incredibly alluring sounds.
Nevertheless, even now, they couldn't completely control themselves. Beneath the table, their pale, beautiful legs shifted restlessly, their bodies squirming uncomfortably.
"A fine dish," Lansi began his assessment. "It utilizes flounder, shrimp paste, and diced cuttlefish together to form the core patty of the burger."
"Furthermore, each component seems to have been handled individually. With one bite, the juices from the shrimp paste and cuttlefish burst forth, complementing the unique richness of the bread and the freshness of the vegetables. It's clearly a carefully chosen combination."
"The Kaki no tane coating on the fried patty is particularly noteworthy. It adds a base flavor while also providing a unique crispness. Quite a good idea."
Lansi gave his objective evaluation. As a Special Grade Chef, Jiesis's professional skill was beyond doubt.
"The coating envelops the flounder patty, concentrating the flavor within. Because of the inherent taste of the Kaki no tane, you can sense extreme deliciousness even just from the crust!"
"Besides that, there's the sauce used in the burger – a sauce formed from mayonnaise and fresh sprouts! It perfectly harmonizes the flavors of the fish patty and the vegetables."
"Salt and chopped fresh sprouts – specifically, Sichuan pepper sprouts – are added to the mayonnaise, lending a refreshing quality to the fried patty, reducing its oiliness, and creating an incredibly elegant taste!"
"Amidst the external crispiness, one can clearly perceive a creamy, moist texture that stirs the appetite!"
Deconstructing the burger, analyzing it deeply, Sendawara Natsume let out a warm breath and continued her effusive commentary. The flavor of the fish patty was the most prominent, hence it was the focus of her evaluation.
"The Kaki no tane tightly embracing the fresh flounder... this feeling is like a passionate embrace given to a pure mermaid! It must be said, truly a sublime experience!"
Sendawara Orie followed suit, already pulled into the illusion. The mermaid's fervent embrace made her feel as if she would drown right there!
Panting, gasping deeply, accompanied by an intense sense of pleasure, Sendawara Natsume and Sendawara Orie clamped their legs tightly together, seemingly reaching some kind of critical point. But hindered by the audience and the cameras, they could only grit their teeth and hold back.
"Two of the three judges gave extremely high praise! Truly worthy of a Special Grade Chef! That dish looks delicious just by looking at it!"
"That fried fish patty looks like the signature dish from Nuoyu Restaurant! I tried it once, but unlike the small portion in the signature dish, this one looks so imposing! Plus, he added the Kaki no tane innovation... I wonder what it tastes like!"
In the audience, watching the close-up of the stuffed fish burger on the big screen, everyone was swallowing hard. If there was one downside to food channels, it was seeing but not eating!
"It seems... I've won this Shokugeki."
Watching the reactions of Sendawara Natsume and Sendawara Orie, Jiesis's lips curved slightly upwards.
The judges were now captivated by the deliciousness he had created. As long as Alice's dish wasn't excessively tasty, he would have the upper hand.
This was the so-called first-mover advantage!
"Isn't it a bit too early to be celebrating? I came here carrying Dylan-nii's conviction. Therefore, there's no way I can lose this match!"
As Nakiri Alice passed by Jiesis, she happened to overhear his muttering and replied in a voice only the two of them could hear. While speaking, she glanced up towards where Dylan was standing, gave him a confident smile, and then strode purposefully towards the judges' table.
"And what kind of burger have you brought us?"
Looking at Nakiri Alice, who had mysteriously covered her dish with a silver cloche, the faces of the three judges showed varying degrees of anticipation.
Lansi, in particular, felt more confident in Alice due to his connection with Dylan. This was a case of 'love the house, love the crow that sits on it'.
The shock Dylan had given him that day was simply too intense, like something transcending dimensions! Although he had seen 'glowing' grade dishes before, he had never seen someone achieve that level with such an unconventional combination, relying purely on sheer culinary skill.
He was so incredible... it was almost like he wasn't from this world!
"Please enjoy... the Molecular Umami Burger."
Lifting the cloche, Nakiri Alice gestured towards the three judges before her with an inviting motion.
Her face radiated confidence. In this hamburger dish, she had poured everything she had learned during this period!
"Molecular Umami Burger?"
Looking at the golden hamburger before them, it didn't appear extraordinary from the outside – just a normal burger. It didn't even emit a particularly strong aroma.
Parting her ruby lips, Sendawara Natsume took a bite. An intense flavor instantly spread from her tongue, causing both her and Sendawara Orie's eyes to widen.
Even Lansi, who had remained relatively composed while tasting Jiesis's dish, now wore an expression of extreme excitement.
"This is...!"
The vibrant flavor left the two sisters no time for commentary; they simply bit into the burger frantically with intoxicated expressions, one bite after another, unwilling to stop.
"The burger bun is crisp outside, yet soft inside with airy pockets! This kind of bread not only absorbs and enhances the patty and sauce flavors better, it makes you unable to stop eating! How on earth did you achieve this?"
After a while, having devoured most of the burger in her hand, Sendawara Orie forcibly stopped herself from eating more. She looked up, curiously asking Nakiri Alice how she did it. She genuinely couldn't figure it out.
While maintaining the crisp exterior, the inside actually had dense air bubbles! And...
She pressed a finger firmly onto the bread. It sprang back like a sponge! No matter how she squeezed it, it returned to its original shape.
"I added emulsifiers and enzymes," Nakiri Alice explained with a smile, pointing a finger towards the burger bun. "They alter the dough's texture and mouthfeel, creating bread with a subtle bubble structure and special elasticity."
"Additionally, I used vacuum baking for these buns. This method reduces moisture evaporation from the dough, making the crust extra crispy while keeping the interior soft and moist."
Nakiri Alice gestured with her finger towards the burger bun, explaining to the judges with a smile.
Her voice, amplified through the speakers, echoed through the venue, causing the audience members to look at each other in bewilderment.
"Vacuum baking? Does such a baking method actually exist? No wonder I felt the texture, flavor, and crispiness of this bread were exceptionally good!"
Sendawara Natsume exclaimed in surprise. She clearly hadn't expected so many new techniques to be employed in just a small bun. She had been so focused on watching the kneading performance earlier that she had overlooked these crucial details!
"But what surprises me most is this patty! If my tongue doesn't deceive me, you used both fish and lamb, correct?"
"Minced fish paste and lamb granules mixed evenly, with appropriate amounts of olive oil and chicken bone broth added... The ratio is simply flawless! It not only merges the delicacy of fish with the richness of lamb but also allows the umami flavor to manifest perfectly!"
Lansi let out a long breath, looking at Nakiri Alice with clear astonishment in his eyes. This burger... it was truly seamless!
If factors like heat control and seasoning were refined just a bit more, it could definitely reach the level of a 'glowing' dish! But even as it was, it was already incredibly delicious!
"I used the golden ratio," Nakiri Alice explained with a smile. "The fish flavor is lighter, so it constitutes a higher percentage. The lamb pieces are the supporting actor in this patty, mainly used to add textural layers to the fish cake."
"As for the processing, I used rapid rotary whipping to develop elasticity, while adding chicken bone broth to enhance umami and the patty's binding properties."
Nakiri Alice explained cheerfully. The character for 'fresh' or 'umami' (鲜) is composed of the characters for 'fish' (鱼) and 'lamb' (羊). This combination is actually the earliest representation of umami flavor in cuisine, and also one of the most impactful combinations!
Adding chicken broth in this situation elevates the umami to yet another level, reaching an unsurpassable peak. The feeling is just like...
...a passionate embrace between the ocean and the land!
Unleashing an unprecedented symphony of deliciousness on the palate, causing one to become lost in nature's purest, most stunning gustatory feast.
________
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