Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 455 - 454: New Recipe (Part 2)

Chapter 455: Chapter 454: New Recipe (Part 2)

Click.

Xia Yu twisted the stove knob, and a pale blue flame leaped up.

He set a cast iron wok on the stove, a classic Chinese wok with a round bottom, not flat.

The first step, he poured broth into the wok and brought it to a boil.

The second step was more peculiar, furrowing the brows of the executives.

As he waited, he took a pumpkin from the fridge and diced it finely. The moment the broth started boiling, he didn’t even blink as he threw the diced pumpkin into the wok, followed by a full cup of milky liquid!

If Yashan Liang, Tanaka Hikari, and Xingping Chuangzhen were here, they would have exclaimed in astonishment the moment they saw.

Such a familiar cooking process.

Next, Xia Yu chopped onions and tomatoes, then set up a second wok on an empty stove. He brushed a shiny layer of fat on the bottom and edges of the wok, then tossed in some granular spices and stir-fried!

The rich aroma was almost tangible.

"This is... cooking curry?"

The executives could see the trick by now.

Onions, tomatoes, coconut milk, and diced pumpkin, along with various spices being stir-fried in the wok - combined together, aren’t they precisely the curry sauce?

Sekiya Takashi in another soundproof glass kitchen was intently watching every move Xia Yu made.

"Diced pumpkin, roughly 300 grams."

"Coconut milk, 100 milliliters."

"Hmm? Those granular spices are coriander seeds, the amount... approximately 20 grams! And also mustard seeds, cumin seeds, about 30 grams... Wait, what are those leaves, aren’t they ’Indra Moon Orange’?"

Xia Yu took some fresh curry leaves, still lush green, from a glass bottle and sprinkled a few into the boiling broth on the left.

At the same time, the stir-frying wok on his right also hinted at green.

"This..."

Sweat broke out on his forehead.

Sekiya Takashi was very interested in the recently popular ’Indra Moon Orange,’ but he had only heard and seen it; he had no way to practice with the latest Fantasy Spices. Therefore, the appearance of unfamiliar spices made him uneasy at first.

In just over ten seconds, Xia Yu had thrown at least a dozen different spices into the wok to stir-fry.

The scene left the onlookers speechless.

"Coriander seeds, mustard seeds, cumin seeds."

"Star anise, cloves, cardamom."

"And also Sichuan pepper, galangal, dried tangerine peel, mint, sage..."

Kikuchi Musashi was mentally calculating, nearly emptying his head just to barely remember Xia Yu’s spice formula. However, when he tried to recall the exact amount of each spice, he was completely stumped.

Kasuga Shigeru’s complexion also gradually grew serious.

Something’s not right!

"Is that kid intentionally using a complex spice formula? I hope Sekiya won’t be confused!" Kasuga Shigeru glanced at the middle-aged chef in another glass room.

Fortunately!

He felt a little relieved; each executive had their own area of expertise.

In the realm of spices, Sekiya Takashi happened to excel, not to the level of an expert or master but capable enough to easily remember curry formulas.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a column of fire rose in the kitchen where Xia Yu worked!

What’s going on?!

A group of people looked over, shocked, only being able to glimpse the silhouette of the young man persistently stir-frying spices in the blaze.

Flames burst forth from beneath the stove.

Sekiya Takashi’s heart palpitated. He felt as if there was a fierce dragon made of fire roaring beside his ear, instilling a profound sense of insecurity in him.

"Done!"

Soon after, the flames disappeared. Xia Yu turned the knob of the wok, reducing the flames and switched to simmer.

And then came the combination of minced onions, diced tomatoes, and the stir-fried spices.

After sautéing, the next step was to press.

Once through the juicer and out again, the mixture had become a sticky paste, and by this time, the pot containing coconut milk, pumpkin cubes, and stock was already boiling. Without pause, Xia Yu poured the pasty mixture in and simmered it over low heat.

After half an hour, the fresh and hot curry sauce was ready to come off the stove.

But that was just a minor part of the "Tofu Carving of the Bamboo Grove Seven Sages" recipe. The main theme of this recipe was the carving, that is, the knife skills!

The mix-ins, or rather the sauce, held a low position in the recipe; learners could freely change it, like how Xia Yu could use the classic "Fantasy Mala Sauce" to bestow the dish with "seven flavors unified."

But having had enough of "seven flavors unified" from both eating and cooking it too much, Xia Yu lost the sense of freshness. This time he simply decided to use his latest well-thought-out curry recipe to make "Bamboo Grove Seven Sages Curry Tofu"!

"Hmm?"

"Why is there such an odd knife, is that made from bamboo?"

A disturbance suddenly arose outside.

From the suitcase brought by the Yuchuan Sisters, Xia Yu took out a small carving knife, a verdant bamboo knife.

Dojima Yin, Tiqie Zongwei, and Tiqie Xianzuowen seemed to ponder.

"Is he planning to cut tofu with a bamboo knife?" Kasuga Shigeru’s lips curled into a slight, interested smile, "Using a bamboo knife could prevent the tofu from taking on a metallic taste from a metal kitchen knife. Quite a thoughtful little technique. He really racked his brains to ensure the tofu’s texture isn’t compromised."

"Avoiding the metallic taste, huh? This step leaves no room for modification!"

Elsewhere, Sekiya Takashi’s face was covered in sweat.

"So, can I only improve on aspects such as heat control, knife skills, and seasoning?" A tremor ran through Sekiya Takashi’s heart, as he vaguely saw the shadow of defeat. He was still forcing himself to remain calm.

Shua—

Xia Yu began his work.

With the Wenqu Saber in hand, he arranged a whole slab of uncut tofu on the kitchen counter and his knife danced over it like rain.

Tiny flecks of tofu scattered through the air, landing on both the countertop and the floor.

For a brief moment, the air was filled with drifting, glimmering fragments and strands, along with the shimmering snowflake patterns inherent to the Shuangjiang Tofu. The scene was akin to a rain of dreams descending.

In an instant, Xia Yu stopped carving and turned off the stove.

The curry sauce was also ready to be served.

"This, this..."

"Carved tofu?"

"Such exquisite carving!"

As the kitchen was completely soundproof, by the time Xia Yu turned around, he was startled to find that, unbeknownst to him, the tycoons had all moved close to watch, standing on the periphery of the kitchen, separated from him by just a pane of glass.

Even Kasuga Shigeru and Kikuchi Musashi were stunned.

On the surface of the tofu, a meticulously carved image of people appeared—seven people at once, the Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove!

"It’s the Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove!"

Tiqie Xianzuowen was moved, pointing to the center figure holding a guqin, "This is Ji Kang, the rebel."

Dojima Yin and Eriina directed their gaze and were equally shaken.

The centered scholar, his hair tied up, holding an ancient zither, wore a robe that hung loosely, revealing most of his chest—an uninhibited, wild aura emanated from him!

"The spirit of the figures!"

Tiqie Zongwei exclaimed in astonishment, "Without precision instruments, just with traditional craftsmanship, such detailed and true-to-life images can be carved onto tofu!"

Ji Kang, Ruan Ji, Shan Tao, Xiang Xiu, Liu Ling, Wang Rong, and Ruan Xian.

These seven figures, whether seated or reclining, each had their own distinct expressions.

On the periphery, a pale Sekiya Takashi muttered to himself, "There’s no room to criticize or improve the knife work!"

Beep.

Xia Yu activated the communicator to the outside and smiled, "Ladies and gentlemen, please wait. My ’Bamboo Grove Seven Sages Curry Tofu’ will soon be complete!"

With that, he turned and picked up a slender bamboo knife.

Shua, shua, shua.

The entire slab of tofu on the large plate was neatly cut into a grid by the bamboo knife.

Just as the tycoons silently lamented the destruction of the carved images, Xia Yu picked up the Chinese Stir-fry Pan from the stove, and with a sizzling pour, the steaming hot curry sauce was immediately ladled onto the tofu.

"Whoosh—"

A brilliant light immediately burst forth!