Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Having discerned the underlying meaning in Bai Yuan's words, Erina Nakiri looked at the grilled steak in front of her, her curiosity about the dish's taste overflowing!

"That's right, this takes about fifteen minutes to grill. The steak, coated with flour, is caramelized on the outside and tender on the inside. It's the best of the best!"

In fifteen minutes, the oven temperature will allow the steak to reach about medium-rare, which is the ideal doneness for a steak.

"I see, but this is the first time I've ever seen someone roast steak inside a tree stump."

"This is my first time doing this too. Let's see if it tastes good in a bit."

Hearing Erina Nakiri's emotional words, Hakugen also spoke up in response.

"By the way, how's your appetizer coming along? You actually have the leisure to chat with me like this. If it's not finished, I won't be so lenient with you!"

The next moment, as if he had thought of something, Bai Yuan's voice became more teasing, and his gaze fell on Nakiri Erina.

"I've already finished, and I'm just waiting for you to bring out the steak, Professor Bai Yuan."

I was just wondering why you didn't come to the kitchen, and whether I cooked too fast.

I didn't expect you to take such a different approach, making torch-grilled steak right at the entrance! It seems we should finish cooking around the same time!

Erina Nakiri's voice was filled with emotion as she straightened her back and looked at Bai Yuan with deep eyes, as if she had something to say.

"Why are you suddenly making innovative dishes? I always thought you would make regular steaks."

"Constantly making regular and ordinary dishes can easily lead to a rigid mindset, and I don't want that to happen to me, so I occasionally think about challenging myself with unconventional dishes."

Isn't today the perfect opportunity?

"I think I understand what you mean. I should have come and asked you before cooking."

The appetizer I prepared goes well with a regular steak, but how it will fare with your innovative steak is anyone's guess.

At this point, Erina Nakiri pursed her lips. When she saw Hakugen grilling steak directly with a torch, her feelings were incredibly complicated.

On one hand, she was always thinking about ordinary steak when cooking, and on the other hand, Alice Nakiri clearly knew that Shirabuchi wanted to create innovative dishes.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have suddenly changed her strategy and started making sourdough bread.

High-gluten flour, water, natural sourdough starter, and a teaspoon of smoked paprika powder—this is how you make a uniquely flavorful carbonated bread.

Just over ten minutes ago, she thought Alice Nakiri's actions were a bit over the top, and that such strongly flavored bread was unlikely to be popular.

But now it seems that she was the one who didn't understand.

"What is your appetizer? It hasn't even been paired with my steak yet, so how do you know if it will go well together? Let's wait and see after we've eaten it."

Upon hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Shirabuchi finally understood the source of her sorrow: it was due to a lack of information. He immediately inquired about the appetizers she had prepared.

"I made marinated shrimp. After removing the shrimp shells, I diced the onion and then sprinkled it with salt to marinate it for later use."

Remove the stems from the tomatoes, cut them in half lengthwise, and place them on a plate. Finally, finely chop the cilantro into very small pieces and add it to the plate as well.

Put a certain amount of water into a pot, add the peeled shrimp shells, and bring to a boil over high heat to make shrimp soup.

Strain the shrimp broth to remove the shrimp shells and bring it to a boil again. Once boiling, add the shrimp meat and continue cooking over high heat for about two minutes until they are just cooked through. This will maximize the sweetness and freshness of the shrimp meat.

After frying, add salted onions, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro to the shrimp, then sprinkle with white pepper, ketchup, and orange salad dressing for simple seasoning... Oh, and half a lemon's juice and half an orange's juice as well.

This enhances both the acidity and fruitiness of the appetizer, making it more appetizing while simultaneously enriching the flavor of the steak.

Hearing Bai Yuan's question and seeing his curious eyes, Nakiri Erina couldn't help but reveal everything, explaining the core of her cooking.

"I see. It seems simple but is actually quite sophisticated... I'll have to try it later."

Upon hearing Erina Nakiri's self-destruction, Bai Yuan touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly, then turned his gaze back to the steak with the torch lit.

Before long, the surface of the steaks turned a brighter amber color, which made Bai Yuan excited as he took them off the torch.

"I'll go serve the food."

Seeing Bai Yuan place the tomahawk steak on a plate, Nakiri Erina headed towards the kitchen without looking back.

Because the method was simple, her dish was already finished more than ten minutes ago, which was the real reason she came out to find Bai Yuan.

She felt uneasy because he wasn't cooking in the kitchen, but when she came out, she saw the torch steak he had made.

The moment she saw the Torch Steak, her initially enthusiastic heart was instantly dampened, because she heard the echo of defeat.

Fortunately, she was quite resilient. Although she was somewhat dissatisfied that Bai Yuan hadn't told her about the subtle details of the steak, she was more annoyed by her own arrogance.

If she had asked a few more questions before cooking, things might not have turned out this way.

Alice Nakiri's sudden decision to make sourdough bread must have been because she had asked Bai Yuan about it beforehand. Since he was testing their banquet cooking, he naturally wouldn't have kept it from them.

She had no idea when those two met!

Whenever she saw the two of them standing together in the supermarket, she would definitely go over and ask him what kind of steak he wanted to make that night.

This way, at least her conditions can be somewhat equal to those of Alice Nakiri.

Instead of what she's experiencing now, where the other person has created a more suitable dish, making her anticipate her defeat even before tasting it.

That does not work.

Let her struggle a little longer!

Erina Nakiri was screaming internally.

So she brought out the appetizers that the kitchen had prepared beforehand, as the opening act for tonight's candlelight dinner, and also as the clarion call for her attack!

Chapter 354 Erina Nakiri's Clothes-Rending

"Appetizer: Salted lemon shrimp salad."

As she spoke, Erina Nakiri handed the dish to Shiro Awakening, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She wanted to win, she wanted to win this match smoothly!

"You three, don't just stand there, sit down and eat. Try Erina's cooking."

Looking at the cold dish in front of him, Bai Yuan's face flashed with anticipation. He then picked up a piece of shrimp with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth to savor it carefully.

"The shrimp meat is the absolute star of this appetizer. After being blanched in shrimp shell broth, the natural sweetness of the shrimp meat is brought out to the maximum extent, and the texture is firm and chewy. This gives the whole dish the most basic and incredibly pleasant sweet and fresh base flavor."

This is followed by a bright and vibrant sourness, primarily provided by lemon and orange juice. The direct, refreshing, and sharp acidity is incredibly invigorating upon first taste.

Bai Yuan put the shrimp meat into his mouth and silently closed his eyes. A bright and fresh sour taste slowly spread from the depths of his mouth.

The cherry tomatoes will naturally release their juices in the dish, bringing a fresh, slightly fruity tartness. The tomato sauce contributes a richer, more concentrated, and slightly sweet tartness, and the two complement each other.

"Indeed, this multi-layered, complex sourness is the key to stimulating the appetite in this dish."

Not only does it effectively cleanse the taste buds and stimulate the appetite, but it also creates an irresistible craving, making it a truly worthy appetizer!

After swallowing the shrimp in his mouth, Bai Yuan's face showed an expression of appreciation. He then picked up another shrimp, a faint look of joy in his eyes.

Even he couldn't help but feel joy after tasting the ultimate deliciousness of the food.

This is the most direct feeling that food brings to people; only food can bring that feeling of joy from the bottom of one's heart.

"Orange salad dressing is one of the core flavors."

It not only brings a rich citrus aroma, the smooth and creamy texture of mayonnaise, and a touch of sweetness, but also coats the shrimp and other ingredients, making the overall taste more rounded and complex. The orange juice not only provides a unique tartness but also contributes a distinctive orange flavor!

At that moment, Alice Nakiri's voice rang out, analyzing the significance of adding orange juice to Erina Nakiri's dishes, her face full of enjoyment.

The unique flavor of the orange salad dressing slowly unfolds on the tip of the tongue.

This sauce, somewhat similar to orange mayonnaise, is silky smooth with an incredibly rich orange flavor that's irresistible and addictive!

"White pepper powder provides a mild spiciness and warmth without being overpowering, but it can significantly enhance the flavor profile and is a classic pairing with seafood."

The chopped cilantro in the base notes is the perfect finishing touch.

It imparts an exceptionally bright and refreshing herbal aroma, adding a touch of light green to rich sauces and seafood, making the flavors more complex.

Hisako Shinto's voice rang out. At that moment, she covered her cheek with her hand and looked at Erina Nakiri with adoration, just as she had always done since childhood.

That heartfelt adoration drew attention, and Erina Nakiri proudly puffed out her chest, enjoying Hisako's admiration.

"The pickling process removes the pungent pungency of raw onions while retaining their sweetness and unique aroma. It also provides a savory and crisp texture, making it a very important addition to the flavor and texture!"

Alice Nakiri added from the side, her gaze towards Erina Nakiri now carrying a hint of approval. Little Erina has finally grown up.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Facing Alice's gaze, Erina Nakiri felt somewhat embarrassed and wrinkled her nose as she spoke fiercely.

"Of course I think you are very outstanding. It feels like my child has finally grown up."

Alice Nakiri did not hide her thoughts and bluntly expressed her most direct feelings when she looked at Erina Nakiri.

"The sweet and fresh shrimp meat forms the base, while the bright and complex acidity is the key to dominating and stimulating the appetite."

Fruity and savory aromas provide a rich and flavorful core, while spiciness and freshness add complexity and a touch of coolness, and a savory base connects all the flavors.

Close your eyes and savor the flavor of this salted lemon shrimp salad even more; the expression of enjoyment on your face becomes increasingly evident.

"The intense acidity and fruity aroma will instantly awaken your taste buds and clear away any other unpleasant tastes in your mouth. Now enjoy the steak to come."

Seeing the satisfied expressions on everyone's faces, Erina Nakiri's lips curled up slightly, clearly very pleased with the situation.

However, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor on the surface, explaining as he picked up his knife and fork, preparing to taste the steak below.

"I do agree that sourness can make the tongue more active, but isn't it a bit too much to skip my bread and immediately start eating the steak?"

Holding a knife and fork, Erina Nakiri cut the golden-brown Swedish torch steak, coated in baking powder, into bite-sized pieces.

Just as it was about to be put directly into its mouth, it was stopped by Alice Nakiri.

While stopping him, she placed the bread next to the steak with a forced smile, letting Bai Yuan taste her cooking before eating the steak.

Erina, really, does she want to see her lose without a fight?

"How could that be? I simply forgot. Now that I've remembered, let's start enjoying the bread."

Seeing that Alice Nakiri had discovered her plot, Erina Nakiri showed a regretful expression.

Then, turning the knife and fork around, I began to taste the browned bread next to the steak, which had many small holes in the middle and looked somewhat like a piece of carbonated bread riddled with holes.

"That's how it should be!"

Brother Baiyuan, this bread I'm serving is made with high-gluten flour, water, and natural sourdough starter, and I've also added a teaspoon of smoked paprika powder in the middle.

As for the method... first mix flour, water, and starter until there is no dry powder, cover with a damp cloth and let it sit to allow the surface to form a gluten-like state.

Then add salt and knead by hand until the dough is smooth and elastic, then shape it into an oval.

Preheat the oven and molds. Pour the dough into the hot pan, score the bread, cover and bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 minutes until the surface is dark brown.