Food Wars, my food not only glows!

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　"Fruits + vegetables + molecular cooking = fine cuisine"

　These two simple collections encompass all of Alice Nakiri's ideas for this dish.

　With extremely limited funds and a small selection of ingredients, the first step to making high-quality dishes is to make choices and consider what you need most and what you can give up.

　"Such a young girl actually made it to the second round. Is this the ease that comes with talent?"

　On the big screen, watching Alice Nakiri's graceful departure, someone at the competition venue couldn't help but sigh.

　Although wearing a mask, one can tell from the voice and the half of the face that this mysterious contestant from the world of dark cuisine is definitely not very old and is a true genius.

　"Fruit pits, what does she need these things for?"

　"I don't understand. Is she going to use these waste materials to make high-end cuisine? It seems even more absurd than using ten yuan to buy ordinary ingredients to make high-end cuisine..."

　"Let's just keep watching anyway, maybe she'll surprise us."

　"I feel it's unlikely, but it's already quite an achievement to have come this far. If we can hone our skills for a few more years and wait until the current top players are over thirty, we might actually be able to win the championship."

　In the stadium, the audience's discussions continued as they watched the images on the giant screen in the sky.

　"It seems that this contestant has truly grasped the essence of this theme."

　The core idea of ​​this theme is to transform ingredients that others would discard into gourmet dishes!

　On the judges' panel, Su Yan's slightly appreciative voice rang out as she looked directly at Alice Nakiri, who was heading to the market with a cheerful expression. At that moment, Alice's expression was confident, as if everything was under her control.

　Her effortless demeanor makes one irresistibly confident in her.

　"As expected of that person's disciple, she wasn't fooled by the ten-yuan illusion, but accurately grasped the true meaning of the subject matter. Now let's see what she will do with this fruit pit!"

　Zhang Zhong couldn't help but think to himself that he was the only one present who knew about Alice Nakiri's background, so he wouldn't be surprised at all no matter how active she was or how amazing her talent was.

　Bai Yuan, the youngest seven-star chef in history.

　What kind of surprises will his apprentices bring them?

　"Look, she's entered the market on the other side too, but why is she going to the seafood market!"

　Just as everyone was discussing Alice Nakiri's actions, someone noticed Zhu Yan on another screen, who was walking straight into the seafood market.

　"Is this... to buy fish? But even if I spend all ten yuan, I probably won't be able to buy much fish."

　Seeing Zhu Yan standing in front of the fish stall haggling with the owner, everyone present was filled with doubt. Then, they saw her take out two coins from her pocket and take a bag from the fish stall owner.

　"A shady deal? Can you really buy such a big bag of fish for two yuan?"

　"Don't assume everything's a conspiracy. It's obvious that the bag doesn't contain fish meat. Even fish offal wouldn't sell for two yuan. Zhu Yan got a good deal."

　"So it's very likely that it's fish offal. But that stuff doesn't taste or feel very good, otherwise people wouldn't have thrown it away. If Zhu Yan really bought fish offal, she'll probably use it to make soup."

　One viewer who is a chef boldly speculated that although fish soup made with fish offal is far less clear and bright than fish meat, it is still a good choice. After all, with limited funds, having more flavor options increases the chances of success.

　"Fish offal hot pot and fish offal stew are delicious and can be said to be a model of waste utilization. Could it be that Zhu Yan is planning to make these? But these two have nothing to do with high-end cuisine!"

　Although using fish offal to make hot pot and other dishes is delicious, hot pot and stew are not high-end cuisine at all; they are truly affordable, everyday dishes.

　Here, it's worth mentioning the definition of high-end cuisine in the Fujian Youth Chef Competition.

　When cooking

　The moment it touches the palate, all the carefully blended flavors should burst forth with the strongest impact in the mouth, perfectly fusing the essence of the ingredients, the cooking techniques, and the chef's creativity to bring diners an unprecedented taste sensation. This pursuit of the ultimate "first bite" experience is precisely the core difference between fine dining and ordinary cuisine.

　Dishes like hot pot and stew have flavors that are distributed throughout the pot, and their flavors are not intense. They are delicious no matter how you eat them, and you will only feel a little greasy after you are full.

　However, this greasiness only lasts for a moment; after a few days, it will taste delicious again.

　The enduring deliciousness keeps customers coming back for more, which is the essence of affordable and delicious food!

　"Zhu Yan left the seafood market and immediately went to the farmers' market. Is she also planning to buy vegetables?"

　The discussion about fish offal came to an end, and everyone's attention refocused on the scene on the big screen. Zhu Yan entered the farmers' market, and it was clear that, given the limited budget, vegetables had become the optimal solution for the competition.

　"That's probably true, but if they're all vegetables, wouldn't it become a vegetable showdown?"

　"Whether it's seafood paired with vegetables or fruit paired with vegetables, there have been many classic and famous high-end dishes in history. Now it's up to them to see how they perform."

　"But when it comes to buying scraps, they really only bought some scraps..."

　"You can't say that. Didn't Ai Pingyuan get the fruit pits for free? So far, it seems like he hasn't spent more than a few dollars."

　As the two strolled around the market, the audience murmured amongst themselves, each face filled with curiosity. Such a thing was unique even in a youth chef competition, leaving everyone astonished.

　"Is Ai, the athlete, ready to come back after buying the ingredients?"

　It seems she just took some fruit pits from the fruit stand and then bought some rotten vegetables at the market for a very low price. Is that enough...?

　"No, she just went into a baking supplies store, and when she came out she had several extra bags in her hands, and she also spent all the rest of her money!"

　"Damn it, I was so focused on Zhu Yan that I completely ignored what she was doing."

　"If she went to a bakery, she would probably be buying baking supplies. Butter? Flour? Considering the fruit pits she bought earlier, could she be planning to make a high-end dessert?! That certainly falls into the category of fine cuisine."

　Seeing Alice Nakiri's actions, the people present couldn't help but speculate.

　"It seems she just bought some kind of powder, but I couldn't see it clearly because the image quality wasn't very good."

　Someone who had been observing Alice Nakiri from beginning to end spoke up, saying that she had just entered the bakery and bought two packets of powder and some grease. They wondered what she was planning to do.

　"Flour? Flour or starch? Are we really making a cake...?"

　"No way, I'm so curious, what kind of dish is this guy going to cook? Can the photographer go up and interview him?"

　"Don't be curious, she's already back. We'll know what she's going to do once she starts cooking."

　During the conversation, Alice Nakiri had already rushed back to the stadium.

　Although she obtained fresh fruit pits from the vendors, the pits would oxidize and lose their flavor if not processed promptly, which was why she was in a hurry to return.

　"What a pity! Even though we rushed back as fast as we could, the outermost layer still had to be cut off, which wasted a lot of good fruit. If only Brother Bai Yuan's Eternal Spirit Blade could help us! We could just make a small incision on it and use the magic of the Eternal Spirit Blade to instantly restore the oxidized fruit to its freshly picked state!"

　Looking at the apple core in her hand, Alice Nakiri showed a disappointed expression.

　If she had the funds, she would have bought the fruit, peeled it, eaten the flesh, and kept the pit.

　"But it's not bad. It's not completely oxidized, so some of it is still usable. At least it can be used normally in cooking."

　Quickly remove the oxidized parts of the fruit pits, wash them clean, then put them in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, adding a small amount of honey for flavor, to make a fruit pit broth.

　At the same time, Zhu Yan appeared outside the arena, holding a black bag that emitted a faint fishy smell. Next to her were several plastic bags containing flour, eggs, milk, and butter.

　In addition, there was a bag containing a small amount of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions, which had cost her all her money. The quantity of each item was small, just enough for one use.

　In other words, there can be absolutely no failures going forward!

　If she makes even the slightest mistake, she will be the one to lose the game today.

　"Alice Nakiri, a genius of molecular gastronomy, has won numerous gold medals in international competitions at a young age."

　Today I'll tell you that traditional cuisine is the best!

　Zhu Yan glanced at Alice Nakiri, who had already entered cooking mode, and her expression became solemn. She mentally prepared herself to ignite her passion, and then poured the contents of the black bag into the plate.

　Fish scales.

　"They're fish scales..."

　Upon seeing the glistening fish scales on the plate, a startling discussion erupted from the audience.

　Most people at the scene guessed that she might have bought fish offal, and a few guessed that it was a small piece of fish belly meat, but no one expected that Zhu Yan would bring back a pile of things that no one would pay attention to if they were just thrown on the ground: fish scales.

　"By the way, fish scales can be used to make dishes."

　"Huh? In my memory, fish scales aren't edible."

　A young girl began to murmur curiously, and those around her fell into thought upon hearing her voice.

　In fact, they had never eaten fish dishes with scales since birth. Therefore, they preconceived the idea that fish scales were inedible. But would Zhu Yan possibly bring inedible ingredients to the competition?

　"No doubt about it, fish scales are definitely edible. They are rich in protein, fat, and various vitamins, as well as iron, zinc, calcium, and many essential trace elements and collagen. Whether fried directly or made into fish scale jelly, they taste great."

　Bai Yuan's voice rang out. Although he didn't know the person who asked the question, he figured he might as well reply since he had heard it.

　The surrounding audience looked thoughtful after hearing this, realizing for the first time in their lives that fish scales were edible.

　"In addition, fish scales contain a variety of unsaturated fatty acids, which can reduce the accumulation of cholesterol on the blood vessel walls and have the effects of preventing arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure and heart disease. Eating them can supplement calcium, beautify the skin, strengthen the body and brain and prevent aging. In traditional Chinese medicine, they can even be considered a medicinal material."

　Another voice came from behind, supplementing what Bai Yuan had not said.

　He is a veteran traditional Chinese medicine doctor who is knowledgeable about various medicinal herbs and has an exceptional understanding of fish scales.

　Chapter 263 Collision, a Cruel Ending

　"So fish scales are actually useful? Then why do fishmongers specifically remove and discard them when cleaning fish...?"

　The girl who had asked the question earlier pressed further, her voice filled with doubt.

　"Because of their different properties, fish scales may harden at high temperatures, affecting the tenderness of the fish meat."

　In addition, fish scales may fall off during cooking, affecting the appearance and taste of the dish.

　Because of the hassle of processing and the lack of edible parts, fish scales have never held a high position in the food world, and in many places they have even been excluded from the list of ingredients.

　However, some places prefer scales, such as Tianjin, where there is a dish called "Zengbeng Carp".

　To prepare this dish, take a fresh carp, clean out its internal organs, cut off its ribs, pan-fry the spine, and deep-fry until it sets. Pour oil into a pan, sauté to enhance the aroma, then add sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, cooking wine, etc., and simmer to make a sweet and sour sauce. Thicken the sauce slightly with cornstarch and pour it over the carp.

　The most distinctive feature of this dish is that the fish scales are not removed during preparation; it is cooked with the scales on. The finished dish is so lifelike, resembling a lively carp leaping in a fish trap, hence its name.

　As Bai Yuan eloquently explained his reasons, the girl behind him finally noticed who was speaking. Her gaze towards him changed from indifference to admiration. Bai Yuan didn't hold back, analyzing the reasons in great detail and using the example of the Tianjin-style boiled carp.

　As they spoke, everyone turned their attention to Zhu Yan on the field, who was now completely absorbed in her work.

　Pour clean water into a basin, place the fish scales in it, add salt and white wine, and rub repeatedly with your hands to remove the fishy smell. Then put it in a strainer to drain the water.

　Crack an egg into a bowl, add salt and black pepper to taste, and mix well. Dip the fish scales into the egg mixture, ensuring every inch is coated.

　Take another bowl and pour in the mixed low-gluten flour and cornstarch. The cornstarch can effectively increase the crispiness time of the crust.

　Dip the fish scales in egg wash and then coat them evenly in a flour mixture. Fry them in oil at 50% heat until golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil and place them on absorbent paper. The golden and crispy texture is incredibly appetizing.

　"It's kind of like a snack. Speaking of which, is there any necessary connection between fried fish scales and high-end cuisine...?"

　"Wait a minute, Zhu Yan mixed those vegetable scraps and batter together. Could she be trying to make something like okonomiyaki?"

　Watching Zhu Yan finish scaling the fish, mix the vegetable scraps she bought from the market with the batter, and season it simply, Yoshino Yuuki gently pinched her chin, her eyes revealing a hint of shrewd speculation.

　"That's right. Fried fish scales have a unique flavor and are crispy and delicious. They can replace bonito flakes and add a touch of seafood flavor to dishes."

　Tadokoro Megumi agreed from the side, her expression towards Zhu Yan now showing a hint of inquiry.

　What is this guy thinking? How will the combination of fish scales and vegetables taste?

　"But...is okonomiyaki considered high-class cuisine? Isn't it just a typical street food...?"

　Yoshino Yuuki voiced her doubts: Osaka-style okonomiyaki is indeed very good, and it is the number one street food in Osaka. But wouldn't putting it in a competition like this violate the criteria of high-class cuisine?

　"So she's just making dishes similar to okonomiyaki, not actually making okonomiyaki. The point is the taste of that one bite."

　Bai Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but it effectively resolved Yoshino Yuuki's doubts.

　Borrowing form rather than the actual dish is a basic practice for master chefs; they can use the advantages of other cuisines to improve their own.

　Only those who can extract the best features of other cuisines and incorporate them into their own dishes without revealing any flaws can be called master chefs!

　"I see."

　Although she was a little confused, Yoshino Yuuki nodded to show that she understood. In short, it was about extracting elements.

　Extract all the elements from other dishes that are suitable for the dishes you are currently making, and finally create a new dish.

　the other side.

　Time passed slowly, and after Alice finished boiling the fruit pits, she moved a chair over and leisurely...

　He sat down idly and did nothing else.

　"Have they given up over there? How come there's been no movement at all except boiling fruit pits?"

　Alice Nakiri's unusual behavior naturally attracted a lot of attention. Her extremely lazy and unambitious attitude made people want to complain.

　"It's not that they've given up, but rather that the next steps can only be implemented after this step is completed. In order to ensure the freshness of the food, they are waiting for this step to be completed before continuing."

　If she had already given up and admitted defeat, she wouldn't continue the competition, but Alice Nakiri is indeed slacking off, looking completely carefree.

　In that case, her current state is likely just to ensure the precision of the cooking, so she has strict control over the start time of each step.