The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 214 Yangzhou Fried Rice vs. Bai Yumingzhu
"Both contestants have finished their dishes at the same time!"

The host's voice suddenly rose, "This is the first time such a situation has occurred in this cooking competition."

"Because different cuisines require vastly different cooking times, in most cases one of them will finish cooking earlier."

"And now, this coincidence has not only happened, but it has happened in the final battle of the championship!"

"According to the competition rules, the seven judges will taste two kinds of food at the same time, and then make a final vote."

"Now... please turn your attention to our big screen, where the dishes from both contestants will be presented simultaneously!"

As the host continued speaking, the staff carefully took the dishes from the two contestants and took close-up shots.

On either side of the large screen, the two dishes were displayed at almost the same angle, creating a sense of direct confrontation.

Qin Lang's Yangzhou fried rice is distinct, with each grain coated in golden egg liquid. The colors of various ingredients such as ham, chicken thigh meat, sea cucumber, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms intertwine, creating a vibrant and colorful dish.

The scallion blossoms hidden among them become the most vibrant embellishment on the painting, so green and fresh that they irresistibly whet one's appetite.

On the other hand, Du Ziyan's dishes were rather simple, consisting of just a plate of perfectly cooked white rice.

But as the camera zoomed in, gasps of surprise quickly rang out from the audience, because each grain of rice seemed to be covered with a layer of lustrous glaze, shimmering like a gem under the light.

Is this really rice?

It's like a plate of scattered pearls!

Qin Lang, who had also been staring at Du Ziyan's dishes, looked at Du Ziyan with a hint of admiration when he turned his gaze back to him.

That glaze-like substance is clearly the essence of various ingredients.

Beneath the glaze lies rice that has absorbed the essence of the broth.

This time, Du Ziyan's dishes seemed to lack the flamboyant and domineering presentation of the past, but the details were even more eye-catching.

He truly is a formidable opponent.

Du Ziyan also turned his gaze away from Qin Lang's dishes, looked at Qin Lang and said in a deep voice, "I admit that your cooking skills are very impressive."

"But I will absolutely not lose this one."

Memories of honing his culinary skills over the past three years flooded back, making Du Ziyan's gaze even more resolute.

This white jade pearl is his answer sheet!
"Sorry, I also have my reasons for needing to win." Qin Lang smiled, but his smile was laced with hostility.

Whether I can successfully complete the tenth painting in the Traveler's Book depends on this moment!
During the brief conversation between the two, the seven judges on the judging panel had already begun tasting the food.

"Let me try this white jade pearl!" Bao Heng, the fisherman who recommended the food, looked at the two small bowls of rice in front of him and chose the white jade pearl without hesitation.

After all, Du Ziyan's dishes use ingredients like the rarest sea bass!

It's not just fish, but also seafood, which is incredibly rare in Danju, an inland city.

Scooping up a spoonful and putting it in his mouth, Bao Heng couldn't help but widen his eyes and unconsciously make a sound, "Oh..."

The moment the white jade pearl gently lands on the tongue, the glaze on its surface, which is entirely composed of condensed essence, melts instantly, and an indescribable umami flavor fills the mouth and tongue in an instant.

The umami flavor possessed the natural sweetness of sea bass, yet carried a unique saltiness characteristic of seafood. With just one bite, Bao Heng felt as if he were instantly transported to the ocean floor, surrounded by countless sea bass dancing around him. The next instant, a rich aroma of rice swept over him. The rice grains beneath the glaze had become soft and mushy from the ultimate stewing process, melting easily in his mouth with just a gentle touch. The slightly viscous rice paste and the highly concentrated fish broth quickly intertwined, unfolding a completely new picture.

Bao Heng's vision gradually blurred, and in his hazy state, he seemed to transform into a fish, diving into the deepest part of the sea to pick a perfect pearl. The wonderful feeling of being there captivated Bao Heng for a long time, and he couldn't stop.

The trembling on his tongue made his pupils dilate incessantly, and the ultimate enjoyment of the fishy taste made him almost want to dance on the spot. After savoring it for a long time, Bao Heng reluctantly swallowed the mouthful, his face already covered with tears of emotion.

“This taste…” Bao Heng murmured indistinctly, “Just one taste and your life will be worth it.”

The next moment, a grain of rice bounced into his field of vision.

Before Bao Heng could react, a hairy, thick arm reached out and swiftly picked up the grain of rice, as if afraid that Bao Heng would eat it.

Bao Heng turned his head in surprise to look at Pang Ju, the animal food recommender beside him. The latter threw the grain of rice into his mouth, and then, without even looking at Bao Heng, continued to shovel large mouthfuls of rice into the small bowl.

When there was not a drop left in the bowl, Pang Ju reluctantly licked the spoon, then stood up and glared at Qin Lang.

"Qin Lang, why didn't you do more!"

"This is all there is, who can eat it all!"

Qin Lang picked up the microphone, both amused and exasperated. "Mr. Pang Ju, rare ingredients are hard to come by, and I don't have much of them either."

“…Alright then.” Pang Ju smacked his lips, then turned his gaze to Bao Heng beside him. Looking at the Yangzhou fried rice in front of Bao Heng that hadn’t been touched, his eyes darted around. “Old Bao, one bite should be enough for you, right?”

"How about I have the rest?"

"In exchange, I'll share some of this bowl of white jade pearls with you."

Looking at the white jade pearl that Pang Ju hadn't touched, Bao Heng swallowed hard, feeling a little tempted.

At that moment, a low shout rang out.

"Nonsense! What kind of behavior is this!"

Xu Yueran, the most senior of the seven food recommenders, snorted, "This is a competition judge, Xiao Pang, don't you have any manners?"

"Sister Xu, you're right." Pang Ju shrank back, looking aggrieved as he looked at the other bowl of white jade pearls in front of him, but the rich and delicious flavor of Yangzhou fried rice still lingered in his mouth.

Even if this white jade pearl is delicious, can it still be as delicious as Yangzhou fried rice?

Pang Ju muttered to himself, scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth, then blinked.

Hmm, it seems pretty good.

Never mind, let's eat!
While Pang Ju was engrossed in preparing the white jade pearl, Lu Suzhi, the food recommender of the valley, had just compared the two delicacies in terms of color and taste and was slowly preparing to taste them.

His first choice was Qin Lang's Yangzhou fried rice.

After all, seeing Qin Lang add soup to fried rice was a great joy for him, who had spent his life cooking with grain ingredients.

As Lu Suzhi scooped up a spoonful of Yangzhou fried rice brimming with various ingredients and put it in his mouth, his eyes widened involuntarily.

(End of this chapter)