The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 302 A Special Cooking Concept

Fatima did not answer Cao Dongdong's question.

She gently pushed up her glasses and looked at Ren Qiu beside her.

Ren Qiu's expression gradually changed from surprise and astonishment to seriousness and earnestness. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke.

"How should we enjoy this delicious dish?"

Hearing this question, Cao Dongdong and the others became even more surprised. Ren Xi couldn't help but ask, "Dad, isn't that how you eat steamed crab?"

Steaming is arguably the simplest way to cook crabs. You just need to slice a few pieces of ginger and put the tied crabs into the steamer.

Even someone with terrible cooking skills can make it almost perfectly.

Ren Qiu, a crab connoisseur, has spent his entire life dealing with crabs. How could he not know how to eat steamed crab?

But Ren Qiu did indeed ask this question.

This is truly baffling.

“This isn’t steamed crab.” Qin Lang spoke slowly from the side, having already discerned some of the differences, his expression turning serious.

“Take a closer look.”

"This crab weighs only about six ounces."

"But Fatima chose lake crabs weighing over eight ounces!"

Upon hearing this, the others couldn't help but widen their eyes.

How can a crab weighing 8 taels be made into a crab weighing 6 taels?

As we all know, crabs have hard shells on the outside, so it is impossible for them to shrink or become smaller during cooking.

"How did they do that?" Cao Dongdong couldn't help but mutter to himself.

“I think this is not a complete crab.” Qin Lang took a deep breath and slowly expressed his thoughts. “It is a crab that has been disassembled, its different parts cooked, and then reassembled into a crab.”

“Look at the back of the crab shell.” Qin Lang pointed to the side of the crab shell that reflected the light slightly. “The degree of reflection is not right.”

Under Qin Lang's guidance, the others observed carefully and discovered that the surface of the crab shell was much smoother than a natural crab shell, like a mirror.

In addition, some unusual features can be vaguely seen at the joints of the crab legs, which are not normal for crabs.

However, such a small problem is completely invisible if you don't pay attention.

Everyone couldn't help but turn their gaze to Fatima, who had remained silent, their eyes filled with deep surprise.

Such cooking techniques are amazing!

“Qin Lang is right.” Ren Qiu nodded slightly. “I also discovered the problem with this crab after careful observation.”

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Fatima beside him, "So... can you tell me now how to taste this dish?"

“Except for the hemp rope used for binding, all other parts are edible.” Fatima paused slightly. “However, I personally suggest eating it the normal way you would eat crab.”

"Oh?" A glint of light flashed in Ren Qiu's eyes.

He removed the hemp rope, then broke off the crab legs and claws, lifted the tail hidden under the crab's abdomen, and then peeled off the entire shell.

As the crab shell was lifted, the gills, roe, and meat inside were neatly arranged, almost indistinguishable from a real crab. Ren Qiu couldn't help but glance at Fatima again, then picked up a slender crab leg and put it in her mouth.

While crab legs are usually removed from the meat, Fatima's lake crab dish incorporates even the shell as part of the dish.

So Ren Qiu simply bit it off and started chewing it.

After chewing a few times, Ren Qiu's eyes gradually lit up. "The crispness of this crab shell is somewhat similar to that of melted and cooled sugar syrup, but it has very little sweetness, and the rest is the freshness of the crab."

"As for the crab meat stuffed into the crab legs, it should be the original crab meat that has been marinated and flavored. Because of the marinade, the crab meat has shrunk to a certain extent, so the size of the whole crab has also been reduced."

“Yes.” Fatima nodded calmly. “The crab shells use a special ingredient, R3 food-grade syrup gelling agent.”

"This is a special coagulant commonly found in the Felice region, synthesized from glucose. It can be digested and absorbed by the human body and has no side effects."

"As for the solidified base, it is crab soup that has been simmered for a long time to fully incorporate the essence of crab meat and crab roe."

"In addition, to achieve a visual effect consistent with the appearance of crabs, I used food-grade protein coloring agents. These coloring agents can be digested and absorbed by the human body and completely converted into amino acids needed by the human body."

Hearing Fatima say that, Qin Lang couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Ren Qiu, may I try some of these crab legs?"

Ren Qiu smiled and made a "please" gesture. Qin Lang did not hesitate to reach out and gently squeeze a crab leg.

After experiencing the coagulating effect of this sugar coagulant, Qin Lang put it in his mouth and chewed it with a "crunch crunch".

In terms of taste, these crab legs are somewhat similar to candied strawberries with a thin layer of sugar syrup on the surface, except that instead of white sugar, the outside is sweet crab soup, and the inside is marinated crab meat with a slightly sour and spicy taste.

The unique texture and flavor brought a wonderful feeling, which made Qin Lang marvel. After taking a bite, he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

This is truly a testament to advanced technology and incredible skill...

In the previous life, the phrase "technology and ruthless work" had become a completely derogatory term due to many complex influences, and food additives had become something that everyone hated and was "demonized".

However, Qin Lang knew very well that using legal and compliant safe food additives in a reasonable and appropriate manner was not as terrible as imagined.

Fatima's lake crab dish perfectly embodies this.

Both glucose and amino acids are nutrients needed by the human body. If the additives used can be completely absorbed by the human body as Fatima claims, and bring more novelty and changes to the dishes, this is obviously a very interesting thing.

Ren Qiu glanced at Qin Lang, who was tasting the food and seemed lost in thought, then smiled and looked at the others who were looking over expectantly.

"Don't just stand there, come and have a taste."

Upon hearing this, the previously somewhat awkward group immediately stepped forward, each picking up a crab leg and beginning to enjoy it.

A moment later, everyone gasped in amazement.

The taste of this dish was already amazing enough, but the novelty of it made everyone feel even more unique.

While everyone else was enjoying the crab legs, Ren Qiu immediately went on to taste the crab roe, crab meat, and even the gills, which are normally inedible parts of a crab.

His smile grew wider and wider.

After finishing his meal, Ren Qiu put down his chopsticks and spoke with a light smile.

"The Ferri region is known for its technological prosperity. Familiar technological products such as the Food Spirit Scanner originated in Ferri, and the rapid development of technology has also influenced the culinary philosophy of the Ferri region."

(End of this chapter)