I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 168 Pollution
DuPont is certainly not skilled, but with his current strength and technique, it's not difficult for him to do these things; it's just a matter of time.

Once you know the method, the rest is just a matter of practice makes perfect.

The beef ribs over there have been mostly removed from the firewood, and celery, onions, and other ingredients have been added and simmered over low heat. The pork belly in the large pot is also gradually becoming tender, but DuPont is in no hurry, letting it become even more tender in the pot.

He wanted to make Dongpo pork, not braised pork belly. He wanted it to be tender, savory, and flavorful, so he didn't mind cooking it a little longer. As for the beef ribs, he wanted them to be boiled and dipped in sauce. But if you want the beef to be tender and juicy, it's something that can't be rushed.

Before they knew it, it was past three in the afternoon. DuPont ate and took some food, and although he hadn't prepared a single dish properly, he ate until he was stuffed. He wandered around like a leisurely person, occasionally offering some pointers.

"Are you trying to kill us with all that fish sauce? Or are you planning to cast a necromancy spell to summon these mackerel to seek revenge on us?"

"Adding a little sugar enhances the flavor, but only in moderation, do you understand?"

"You need to boil the fries first to remove the starch before frying them, otherwise they'll be softer than your penis by the time we serve dinner at five. Do I need to teach you something like this?"

The chefs were sweating profusely, but dared not argue back.

This guy was fierce even when he was just an unknown apprentice. Now he's a star at the academy, and even the staff have to smile at him. How could these contract workers dare to say anything?

Judy didn't care about DuPont's overstepping of authority. As the head chef, she wished she were an eight-armed snake demon. She was so busy that she was practically running herself ragged. With DuPont's guidance, she had far fewer troubles.

He even listened to many details and secretly memorized them.

While it's unclear where DuPont got so much practical experience from, as long as it proves effective, many things will be much easier and produce even more delicious results.

By four o'clock, the beef ribs were cooked. DuPont casually cut one off and tossed it into his mouth, nodding in satisfaction.

The meat was tender and flavorful, but he wasn't used to the local favorite, mashed chickpeas. So he just chopped some garlic, added some salt, a little fish sauce, and spring water as a dipping sauce.

This world doesn't have soybean paste with soy sauce, and fish sauce is too strong a flavor, so I can only add a little bit as a token gesture, and the taste is still passable.

The duck is already in the pot. The salted duck has been marinated for a little too short a time, but fortunately, salt can be added to the broth. As for the final taste, DuPont is not so sure, so they can only say they'll give it a try.

The reddish-brown pieces of Dongpo pork had already been scooped out and were being reduced over high heat until the sauce thickened, ready to be served immediately.

Half an hour later, the pig's trotters became sticky. DuPont used a large spoon to scoop out the pig's trotters that had been chopped in half and put them in a small bowl. He added a little salt and pepper and stirred it slightly. Smelling the tempting aroma and looking at the white soup, the halfling couldn't help but feel his appetite whetted. He took a bite and couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.

In just a few bites, he had the meat and tendons all in his mouth. DuPont smiled and said, "How is it? Not bad, right?"

"This pig's trotter is really good, it tastes good no matter how you cook it." The halfling wiped his mouth and couldn't help but get himself another bowl. While eating, he glanced at the bone that hadn't been removed and thought for a moment before saying, "Shave off the front finger bones, but leave the middle bone, otherwise the meat will fall apart and it won't look good."

DuPont didn't mind, since there was still less work to do: "Then prepare it and put it in the steamer so it doesn't get cold later. You can put some tender scallion leaves on it and it'll be ready to serve."

After taking a bite, the halfling knew what to do and told the two chefs, "Listen to DuPont, do whatever he says."

Although the chefs in the kitchen were only at the level of cooking large batches of food, their basic skills were quite good. DuPont taught them twice and they were able to do it. Seeing that there were no problems, they began to work on finishing touches.

Angie arrived shortly afterward. She came to check on the food preparation and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that most of the dishes were laid out in the cafeteria. However, she did not expect to see DuPont there.

What's this guy doing here? Does he know how to cook?

This shouldn't be the case.

Although being a chef is a common profession that anyone can do, making delicious food is not an easy job. Without sufficient experience, it is impossible to do it well. In elven families, the eldest woman usually takes on the job. The job of a pastry chef requires at least 10 years of training, and opening a shop requires more than 30 years of experience.

This guy probably came here to steal some food.

Angie was about to go back to report the news when DuPont saw her and waved, saying, "Come over and check on the situation?"

Angie nodded politely and was about to take her leave when DuPont brought over a small white porcelain bowl containing a trembling piece of fatty meat: "Since you're here, I'll give you something good to eat."

The young pastor looked somewhat hesitant: "This seems a bit too greasy; I might not be able to eat it."

"I guarantee it won't be greasy at all; it's been stewing for over two hours." DuPont patted his clothes, which were already greasy. "Don't worry, would I lie to you?" The young pastor blinked and reluctantly accepted the bowl of pig's trotters.

The second statement is false, but the first statement is true.

Curiosity led Angie to sniff the air. The strong aroma of meat, accompanied by a hint of pepper, smelled pleasant. She hesitated for a moment, "It smells like pork?"

"Yes, you guys usually like to eat fish, right? These four-legged fish can actually taste pretty good if cooked properly." DuPont tempted with a slightly wicked look, "Just try one, just one bite."

Why can't I figure out all of the other person's thoughts? Could it be that there's a gap in our strength?
Anqi reluctantly took the silver spoon and scooped some out. The meat in the bowl was indeed very tender. She picked up a little lean meat and white kidney beans and smelled them, but then she heard the other person say, "Add some broth, and the tendons will make it even more fragrant."

Anqi pretended not to hear and put the spoon into her mouth. The smooth beans melted with a gentle touch, and the shredded meat was also very soft and tender, so much so that she could swallow it whole.

Hmm, the taste is actually pretty good.

However, Angie was still somewhat reluctant to look at the large chunks of fatty meat. She only scooped up a spoonful of broth and put it in her mouth, but she was surprised to find it exceptionally fragrant and rich, without any fishy or gamey taste. She couldn't help but nod in approval.

This does seem like something worth trying...
Angie ate the pork hoof in small bites, but she was quite fast. Before long, she had finished the half-hoof. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she asked incredulously, "Is this really pork? It's different from what I've had before. It seems even better than the venison at the Hero's Feast last time."

"Most wild game is not processed, and many places are restricted by Druids and cannot raise animals on a large scale. We don't have this rule here, so the taste is naturally better."

DuPont avoided using the word "castration" to avoid upsetting the young man, but to his surprise, the young man's expression suddenly changed, and he said incredulously, "This, this is the meat of castrated livestock? It's one thing to raise them just to kill them, but to torture them to ensure the meat is delicious? This is simply too cruel."

"What's so cruel about that? There are singers who castrate themselves to preserve their voices, and there are examples in Fauré who become eunuchs for nobles due to family difficulties. Everyone has their own needs."

DuPont shook his head: "People die for wealth, birds die for food. There are gains and losses. Those animals don't need to hunt or worry about predators to live a life of plenty. This is something that many animals living in the wild can't even imagine. That's how wolves were domesticated into dogs. You're thinking too much."

Angie put down her bowl, looking somewhat dejected. "What you said might be right, but I still feel a little uncomfortable."

"If you're upset about eating a piece of meat, then there are probably a lot more things that will upset you in the future. Even elves aren't as dramatic as you." DuPont didn't say much more, so he made a cup of soy milk with extra sugar and a small bowl of braised tofu: "This is all-natural food, made entirely from soybeans. I hope it will suit your taste better."

Sensing the other person's rare pure state of mind, Anqi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. She took a bite of the so-called green food and suddenly frowned.

DuPont noticed a strange look on his face: "What's wrong? Is it hard to eat?"

That shouldn't be the case. Princess Moon Elf ate it before and said it was good. Is this girl even pickier than the princess?
Anqi shook her head, and without even taking a sip of the soy milk, she said goodbye and left.

DuPont found it a bit strange, but he was too busy to ask any more questions and turned back to work.

Angie hurried back to the church. By this time, most of the paladins had already returned to camp, except for a few paladins. They cheered when they learned that the academy had prepared a feast for them. After being scolded by the elderly priests, they obediently lined up to go to the academy.

Back at the church, Angie found that a lot of food from the academy had been delivered to the church, but she had no appetite and sat in her seat in a daze for a long time. Even Moonflower, who was being treated with great hospitality, found it a bit strange and took the opportunity to send a message to inquire.

"What's wrong, little sister?"

"It's nothing, it's just that I don't have much of an appetite because of the heat."

"You can eat tofu pudding," Yuehua whispered, "It's said that DuPont taught you that. I didn't expect that guy to be so knowledgeable."

"..." Angie picked up the white tofu pudding, took a bite, sighed inwardly, and couldn't help but think of the bowl of fragrant and glutinous pig's trotters that DuPont had handed her.

That one tastes better, but the way it's cultivated is really uncivilized.

Thinking about this, Anqi became even more conflicted.

Ugh, this is so upsetting. I wish I hadn't known about it.
Thinking of DuPont's final recommendation, she picked up a glass of the milk-like drink. The sweetened soy milk finally cheered her up a bit. She quietly took out a mithril necklace engraved with amethyst and glanced at it.

The next time she meets DuPont, she will definitely wear this mental protection necklace to avoid being contaminated by his chaotic and noisy thoughts, so as not to ruin her mood for the whole day.

(End of this chapter)