Chapter 538: Chapter 531: Now I’m Fired Up

"According to ancient cooking methods, what you make is not really an eggplant dish; it’s more of an eggplant-flavored condiment, considered a seasoning."

"So at the beginning, it’s mixed with chopped chicken as the main ingredient to make it a tasty dish."

"However, after several attempts to improve it, the dish is now best served fresh, which enhances its flavor."

"Actually, the main reason for the change is that the dish wasn’t ordered often, and eggplant alone doesn’t store well, so we refined it into the current cooking method."

"As for replacing chicken with pigeon, it was to increase the price. Otherwise, with labor and ingredient costs alone, we wouldn’t make much, if not lose money."

Yao Shi finished speaking, and everyone around him fell silent.

So the eggplant dish is actually made using a cooking method described in ancient texts.

They thought it was Qianlima’s family secret dish!

But the most important thing is, was it really okay to bluntly say all those truths?

Everyone couldn’t help but glance at Yao Shi more than once.

It always feels like there’s something a bit odd about Chef Yao today...

Fu Yu finished plating the dish simply.

Yao Shi was the first to reach for his chopsticks to have a taste.

"Hmm, not bad, very well done."

After tasting, Yao Shi looked satisfied and invited others to try it with a smile.

The dish is a hassle to cook, but it brings out the fresh flavors of all the ingredients.

It’s fragrant and oily, slightly salty, not greasy, and without excess juice.

It has distinct characteristics.

Even though everyone just had lunch, the delicious eggplant dish was quickly eaten up.

Yao Shi waved with a smile, dismissing everyone, then privately spoke to Fu Yu, "This dish was made very authentically. I can see your knife skills have improved significantly!"

Fu Yu was delighted to be praised.

Yao Shi advised, "Although this dish isn’t often ordered by customers, its complex cooking method is excellent for honing culinary skills. When you have time, try the ancient recipe again, but not the one described in books. Instead, prepare the pigeon and then cook it using the method we just used."

Fu Yu nodded.

Yao Shi continued, "The method for preparing the pigeon is similar to that of braised duck. Clean the pigeon, remove the head and claws, twist the wings onto the back neatly, and then let it sit in hot water."

Fu Yu raised his eyebrows slightly.

It seems this lesson also includes ancient cooking techniques.

It’s more detailed and comprehensive than before.

"When making red braising liquid, add fresh broth to the pot, along with salt, cooking wine, caramel color, ginger, scallions... and a spice bag. The spice bag has been improved, with two extra ingredients compared to the old recipe... When it boils, you have red braising liquid."

"However, to make the dish even tastier, it’s best to use well-aged red braising liquid."

Qianlima’s restaurant has braising liquid that’s been maintained for decades.

This huge vat of braising liquid is continuously topped up with water and never allowed to cool, and after braising food each time, it’s meticulously filtered several times to remove any food remnants.

Because it’s well-preserved, this vat of braising liquid is reused repeatedly, getting richer and more aromatic over time.

The red braising liquid is ready-made, but this secret method is never shared outside.

Yet, Yao Shi is divulging every detail to Fu Yu right now.

"After the pigeon is prepared with the red braising, remember to add a bit of seasoning made with soy sauce, MSG, and sesame oil, and marinate for three to five minutes. This will make the cooked dish even more flavorful."

Fu Yu showed a rare hint of surprise.

"Chef Yao, won’t the texture be off if you marinate a prepared pigeon with seasoning and then cook it?"

Yao Shi shook his head, "When processing a prepared pigeon, it’s difficult for it to blend flavors with other ingredients. If you season it well before cooking, it will be better."

So that’s why.

Fu Yu nodded, keeping it in mind.

Yao Shi remarked, "The preparation method may seem simple, but it’s a real test of culinary skill."

"For instance, how to match the quantity of ingredients with the amount of braising liquid, the intensity of heat, and the duration—how to get it just right, so the meat is tender yet well-seasoned—requires repeated attempts and gradual accumulation of experience."

"When you have time, focus on practicing braising. Chef Zhao’s weak spot is in braising. To excel at cooking, you don’t have to master everything, but you should have at least two strong areas and be proficient in others."

Fu Yu replied, "Got it, Chef Yao. I’ll start finding time to practice braising from today."

Knowing Yao Shi’s teaching session was coming to an end.

Fu Yu was just about to express his gratitude when he suddenly heard an electronic notification sound in his ear:

[Ding! NPC Chef Yao Shi’s dedicated guidance has been completed successfully. Reward acquired: Perfect Cooking Techniques for Eggplant Dish]

[Ding! NPC Chef Yao Shi’s task: Complete five braising operations within five days and master the cooking method. Task completion reward: Braising skill upgraded to: Advanced!]

Fu Yu raised his eyebrows slightly!

Is this a reward split into two parts?

He was curious earlier, wondering why he was suddenly given an intermediate braising skill reward. Turns out, there was more to come!

But completing five braising sessions within five days isn’t a problem.

If Qianlima can’t cover this, there are always opportunities at the music restaurant and Shangshi Private Kitchen.

He was confident the task would be completed.

Fu Yu was assured in his heart!

After the lesson, everyone returned to their duties.

Except Yao Shi seemed a bit distracted.

He occasionally turned to look at Fu Yu, who was diligently working.

Strange!

It feels like I’ve forgotten something.

What was it...

Meanwhile, Liu Yuqing and Zhang Jinyu were gossiping together while there were no takeout orders.

Zhang Jinyu whispered, "Chef Yao is amazing! He even knows the ancient cooking methods described in books. And remembers them so clearly!"

Liu Yuqing sighed, "If you mean the part about Granny Liu tasting the dish, then I know too."

Zhang Jinyu looked curious, "Huh? What’s Granny Liu? Tasting what dish?"

Liu Yuqing replied with a question, "Do you know which book the eggplant dish originally appeared in?"

Zhang Jinyu shook her head, "No, didn’t Chef Yao say it was from an ancient book?"

Liu Yuqing nodded, "Yes, ’The Dream of the Red Chamber’ can indeed be considered an ancient book. This dish appeared when Wang Xifeng entertained Granny Liu, and it’s also the most detailed cooking method described."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jinyu was dumbfounded.

Oh my gosh!

"Chef Yao truly deserves to be called a god-tier expert! He can even pick out dishes casually mentioned in books and devise ways to improve them. That’s incredible!"

Liu Yuqing immediately looked at Zhang Jinyu with gleaming eyes.

If you want to praise God Yao, I’m all ears!

The two of them chatted about Yao Shi’s brilliance for a while!

Suddenly, Zhang Jinyu changed the subject, "But speaking of which, Fu Chef is quite impressive too! Chef Yao casually mentioned it, and he could recreate it exactly. Plus, Chef Yao just praised Fu Chef for doing a great job—I tried it too, and it was delicious!"

Liu Yuqing paused and looked at Zhang Jinyu.

The two of them exchanged glances.

Both faces were filled with disbelief and astonishment.

Yao Shi’s level of skill was evident to everyone, truly god-like!

And for Fu Yu to execute such a difficult dish flawlessly on the first try, praised as perfect and authentic!

What level could Fu Yu possibly be at?

Thinking of this, Liu Yuqing and Zhang Jinyu couldn’t help but look at each other in surprise.