Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

　After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they were about to leave when Kawanishika finally explained.

　Thirty years ago, the other party was a skilled chef in charge of provincial banquets, specializing in the dish Seven Star Fish Balls. Even though his skills have declined somewhat in his old age, his Seven Star Fish Balls are still among the top in Fuzhou.

　Such skilled chefs are recorded in the state's culinary annals, updated annually, and their knowledge is passed down only among the top chefs of large families.

　This is also to facilitate the travel of master chefs, allowing them to enjoy the highest level of cuisine wherever they go.

　"You guys go back first, I'm going to check out the seafood market next."

　As they emerged from the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, the number of people around them dwindled. Bai Yuan suddenly stopped, and after a moment's hesitation, he spoke, facing the questioning gazes of Erina Nakiri and the others.

　"In that case, why don't we go together?"

　I heard there's a youth chef competition being held in Fujian these days. Since I have some free time, I'm thinking of participating. As a coastal city, seafood will definitely be a major focus.

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Chuan Linghua hurriedly spoke up, her eyes shining with excitement. She had originally planned to take action tomorrow, but since the other party also wanted to go to the seafood market, she could go there on the way.

　It's a good opportunity to see how a top-tier seven-star chef selects ingredients. Is her method different from hers? It's worth learning from.

　"That works too, what about you?"

　"Then let's go together."

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Nakiri Erina and Nakiri Alice exchanged glances and then spoke in unison. They were worried about Bai Yuan and Kawahira being alone together, lest they spark a romance again.

　Although they don't mind Bai Yuan's womanizing ways, and even think it's a good thing to have more sisters to help them share the burden, the number shouldn't be too much!

　If he falls in love with every girl he meets, even if Bai Yuan's love for them remains unchanged, he will be powerless to help them, which is something they absolutely cannot allow!

　Thinking of this, seeing Bai Yuan walking ahead, Nakiri Erina and Nakiri Alice quickly followed, and soon they arrived at the seafood market.

　As a coastal city, Fuzhou boasts an exceptionally abundant seafood production, which has led to the creation of many famous seafood dishes. Seven-star fish balls, dragon-bodied phoenix-tail shrimp, chicken soup with sea clams, and eight-treasure red crab rice are just a few of the most renowned.

　It's worth mentioning that although it's evening now, the market is still bustling, with residents walking back and forth, selecting their favorite seafood.

　"The fishermen in Fuzhou are very particular; they make sure the seafood is fresh even before the market closes. After all, the diners here are very discerning."

　Bai Yuan stopped in front of a stall, his gaze sweeping over the seafood in the tank, and his fingers gently stroking his chin.

　"Indeed, this yellow croaker has a very good color and elasticity, and it is suitable for steaming or pan-frying. No matter how it is cooked, it will taste good."

　Erina Nakiri bent down to examine a very lively yellow croaker in the pool. She pinched and squeezed the fish with her fingers, feeling its surging vitality, and a look of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

　"And these swimming crabs, each one is full of roe and meat, they are at their fattest and most delicious in the season, I feel like I could make a pot of spicy crab!"

　Alice Nakiri was drawn to the blue crab beside her. She reached out and gently poked the shell, then weighed it in her hand, before saying with a hint of craving.

　"Speaking of crabs, I do know a dish that's perfect for making with crabs."

　Standing behind Alice Nakiri, Bai Yuan's mind drifted to the image of the top-grade crab dish, Golden Crab Casserole, prepared by Rein on the Loulin Ship.

　"Speaking of which, the theme of the Fujian Youth Chef Competition seems to be related to crabs. It is said that the quality of crabs this autumn is the best in ten years."

　Chuanlinghua joined them at some point, her face revealing a hint of mystery, and then started chatting with them about the theme of the Fujian Youth Chef Competition.

　"Crabs as the theme? Indeed, I also feel that the crabs this year are fatter than in previous years, not only in Fuzhou, but also in Japan."

　Holding the swimming crab in front of him, Bai Yuan's voice was tinged with emotion.

　Not only in Fuzhou, but also in Tadokoro Megumi's hometown, the crabs are plump, especially the Hanasaki crab, a specialty of Hokkaido. Her hometown also produces some of it because it borders a small area.

　Hanasaki crab has firm, sweet, and rich meat. Although it is small in size, it has a lot of meat in its legs and a unique flavor, making it very popular.

　"After all, they both used the same sea area, so the harvest is naturally the same."

　Kawanobi said matter-of-factly that Japan and Fujian are only separated by a sea. Although the distance is quite far, it does not affect the bumper harvest of sea crabs.

　Crabs need suitable water temperature and abundant food sources to grow. Autumn is the peak season for marine life activities, and food such as small fish, shrimp, shellfish, and algae is very abundant.

　Crabs feed heavily in autumn, accumulating fat and protein to store energy for winter, which is why they become incredibly plump and delicious.

　However, it's quite rare to see crabs this year that are all of similar quality to the top-quality crabs of previous years, which is a good thing.

　Nodding, Bai Yuan gently stroked the crab's abdomen with his fingers, feeling the abundant crab roe inside, and couldn't help but look up at the boss.

　I was originally just planning to take a look, but the crabs here are so good, and given the theme of the Fujian Youth Chef Competition, it would be a real shame not to buy some to take home.

　"The customer explained the growth process of the crab so thoroughly, he must be a very skilled chef. In that case, I'll sell it to you at a 20% discount."

　The shop owner, noticing the attention, started business. Remembering what he had just heard, a hearty smile appeared on his face, and he gave Bai Yuan and his group a 20% discount.

　“Then we won’t haggle anymore, we’ll take them all. Please deliver them to room 303 of the Jin Sanyuan Hotel for us later.”

　Seeing how generous the boss was, and remembering that Mito Ikumi and the others were still at the hotel, Bai Yuan decided not to be stingy and took them all back with him.

　Of course, they couldn't take all these crabs with them, so after paying the deposit, they asked the owner to deliver them to the Jin San Yuan Hotel and then left.

　After that, the four of them bought some seafood, then went to the vegetable market to buy some leftover vegetables before returning to the Jin Sanyuan Hotel.

　Since Kawahira told him that the theme was likely to be crabs, Hakubuchi would definitely have to give Nakiri Erina and the others some special training.

　Otherwise, if his apprentice is eliminated in the first round, wouldn't he become a laughing stock?

　This kind of thing must never be allowed to happen!

　Nine p.m.

　After eating and drinking their fill, the girls returned to the hotel one after another, while Bai Yuan rested in his room.

　"Teacher Bai Yuan, were you calling us?"

　Tadokoro Megumi hurriedly pushed open the door to the room, slightly out of breath.

　Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko followed behind her. The three of them jogged to his room, speculating along the way about why Hakugen had sent them.

　"You've arrived! We were just waiting for you."

　Alice Nakiri stood with her hands behind her back, smiling at the three people in front of her. At this moment, the girls each occupied a spot in the room, some chatting, some resting with their eyes closed, and some teasing the crabs.

　"Well, that tells you why I called you here."

　See those cages over there? These are swimming crabs I just bought from the seafood market. This year's crabs are growing very well, the best they've been in ten years. The selection competition theme will most likely be crabs.

　Megumi, Erina, Alice, and Hisako, you are the stars of tonight.

　Each of you four will prepare a dish using the crab in front of you. I will then analyze and explain your current problems in detail based on that dish.

　Anyone else who wants to try it can do so too. I've bought plenty of ingredients, so don't worry about running out. After you get the ingredients, go back to your room and cook them yourself. I'll explain everything to everyone afterwards.

　The day after tomorrow is the day to participate in the Fujian Provincial Youth Chef Competition. Time is relatively tight, so Bai Yuan is making use of even his evenings.

　"understood."

　"Okay, let's get started right away."

　With everyone chiming in, Megumi Tadokoro took the lead in selecting crabs and quickly got into cooking mode, her eyes filled with seriousness.

　Hisako Shinomiya and Alice Nakiri were a step behind her, but they quickly arrived at the cage and began selecting suitable crabs from the outside.

　Erina Nakiri wasn't in a hurry. Instead, she went to Shirai's side and asked, "Any dish related to crab is fine, right?"

　"Yes, anything is fine, but it must be a dish with crab as the main ingredient, not just crab as a side dish."

　Upon hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Hakuyuan nodded and did not impose too many restrictions on the types of items.

　"Understood, I know what I need to do, but we're still missing some ingredients. I'll call and have them delivered later before we begin."

　Upon receiving confirmation, Erina Nakiri immediately took out her phone and made a call, instructing the purchasing department in China, which was ahead of the Nakiri family, to begin operations.

　"I'm going back to my room now. Grandpa specially brought a molecular gastronomy machine to my room. I'm going to make molecular gastronomy this time."

　After selecting a few plump blue crabs, Alice Nakiri said something to Bai Yuan, then left her room and headed straight for her own house.

　"As for me, I have almost all the ingredients, so we can start now."

　After glancing at Erina Nakiri making a phone call and Alice Nakiri grabbing a crab and heading towards her room, Megumi Tadokoro and Hisako simply used whatever was available.

　"I'll just make a simple crab miso hot pot."

　"Goji berries, astragalus, red dates... Hmm, all the ingredients for making crab meat stew are here."

　As they talked, the two began to work. After ending the call, Erina Nakiri also went to process the crabs so that they could quickly start cooking once the ingredients were delivered.

　Seeing that the seeded players had finished choosing, the other girls also went up and picked out a few crabs. After that, they took some vegetables and went back to their rooms to cook.

Chapter 235 Golden Breeze and Jade Dew: The Youth Chef Competition Opens

　"There are still so many left. I don't know how many will die by tomorrow, and they won't be fresh anymore. Oh well, they're perfect for making Golden Crab Shells."

　He had been debating whether to cook them, but seeing the large number of swimming crabs left in the cage, and realizing that leaving them there would be a waste and they wouldn't generate any value, Bai Yuan immediately decided to do it.

　Move.

　"However, there aren't many soft-shell crabs in such a large cage that are molting."

　Looking at the crabs in front of him, densely packed on the cage, many of them with broken legs from their vigorous movements, Bai Yuan quickly began to pick and choose.

　The so-called soft-shell crabs are crabs that have just molted and whose shells have not yet hardened. There are relatively few of these crabs, and even though Bai Yuan bought all the crabs at the stall, he didn't find many.

　After finding the soft-shell crabs, Bai Yuan separated them and steamed them along with the remaining blue crabs.

　After more than ten minutes, the crabs were cooked to perfection and Bai Yuan took them out of the steamer. Then he separated the crab bodies and legs.

　Looking at the plate of crab bodies and legs in front of me, each one was very thin. Most people would usually skip this part when eating crab.

　After all, it's not a rational thing to spend so much time poking around with a toothpick for a tiny piece of meat; nobody wants to waste time and effort for nothing.

　However, for professional chefs, these are minor issues.

　Bai Yuan reached behind him and a Wenqu knife appeared in his hand. This knife was used for peeling and shelling, and was suitable for processing fruits, vegetables and seafood.

　"Seven Stars - Lightning Slash!"

　With a soft shout, Bai Yuan moved his hand. Beside him, Chuan Linghua saw only the flash of his blade as Bai Yuan's hand rose and fell repeatedly.

　Then, strips of white crab leg meat tinged with grayish-brown appeared on the plate.

　"This... the knife swiftly sliced ​​through the bend of the crab leg, splitting it in two without damaging the meat inside. What amazing knife skills!"

　Squinting and examining closely, Kawanishika discovered the secret to the crab's legs separating so quickly: Shirabuchi's knife could precisely strike the joints where the crab legs bent without damaging the meat inside.

　Within minutes, the crab leg meat covered the entire plate, and the residual heat on it had not yet dissipated, which shows how quickly it was processed.

　After processing the crab legs, Bai Yuan turned his attention to the cooked crab body that had been placed aside. He used a knife to pry open its shell and took out the crab meat and roe inside.

　Because it was autumn, the crabs had an extra lot of roe on them, which covered the entire plate with just a little scraping.

　And the snow-white crab meat, gently scraped with a spoon, scattered like snowflakes, emitting a faint, fresh aroma.