Chapter 116: Tasty Dish
Marinate the chicken with sauce, brine, and spices and let it rest for a while. After that, Jia Hao crushed the noodles into fine bits and cracked an egg.
After that, he took out the chicken and coated it with flour, then dipped it in egg and coated it with fine noodles bits. After that, he deep fried them in oil.
In the meantime, he boiled noodles in another pot and took it out. Then sliced onions and veggies and stir fried them in a pot with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a dash of chili paste.
‘ Damn, I guess choosing Swift Dagger Art was really a good choice. My knife proficiency increased quite a lot.’ Jia Hao was amazed when he perfectly sliced the veggies and onion.
He slowly cooked them, making a light soup, and then added some extra spices. After that, he took a bowl served the soup, and put the noodles inside it.
And top of it, he places the stripes of fried chicken with sliced boiled eggs.
” Here, Have this.”
It was a fool proof katsudon recipe he learned quite a long time ago. After all, cooking is a basic survival skill that everyone should have.
Everyone’s eyes shone when they saw the bowl of katsudon. The aroma, the presentation, and everything was simply top notch.
” This… This smells so good.”
A middle aged man with a thick beard came forward as he looked at the bowl with curiosity. “Son-in-law Jia, You know how to cook?”
” Why wouldn’t I know?” Jia Hao replied instinctively. But then, he realized it was indeed a bit absurd.
This the era of feudalism. Maids and servants are here to do every bidding of their masters. One just need to have enough money and influence and they don’t even have to lift a finger to get their work done.
‘ Therefore, Not even most noble ladies know how to cook, let alone males. Only those who have talent and willingness to cook go on the path of a chef.’
” I am Liang Wei, the head cook of this place.” Liang Wei cupped his fist. ” I have to admit, I didn’t expect Young Lord Jia to be a cook.”
” So, May I…”
” Chef Liang, Please go ahead.” Jia Hao nodded without any hesitation. ” After all, You need to eat this dish to understand how the flavor works.”
Taking the chopsticks, Liang Wei took a piece of fried chicken and put it into his mouth. Suddenly, his hands trembled as he almost dropped the chopsticks.
” This…This…”
Suddenly, it was like Liang Wei was in a trance. He didn’t care about the blowing steam on the bowl. He hurriedly blew it and took another bite.
He also ate the noodles and drank the soup. It barely took him any time before finishing the entire bowl.
Cai Yixue also wanted to take a bite. However, as an elegant lady, she couldn’t ask that directly.
However, as she was thinking of signaling to Jia Hao, Liang Wei already finished eating the entire bowl.
‘ This…Damn it. Is it really that good?’ Cai Yixue was speechless. Jia Hao turned around and saw a hostile and jealous gaze from Cai Yixue.
‘ Eh? What’s with her?’ He couldn’t help but be confused. However, at that moment, Liang Wei suddenly fell to his knees on the floor.
” Chef Liang!”
” Are you alright?”
Everyone couldn’t help but become alarmed when they saw that. Even Jia Hao couldn’t help but take a step back. ‘ Damn, I didn’t add any poison though?’
” This…This food is so…Delicious!” Tears streamed down from his face as he looked at Jia Hao.
” The spices, the sauce…They feel so otherworldly. I have never tasted such a chicken. It’s crispy outside, yet so tender and juicy inside.”
” I…I am sorry, I just couldn’t stop myself.”
Seeing the intense reaction of Liang Wei, everyone was shocked, looking at Jia Hao in a new light.
” Well, I guess Chef Liang liked it then.” Jia Hao smiled. ” Now, Why don’t you guess the ingredients from the flavor?”
He placed the sauces before Liang Wei, allowing him to taste them. When he tasted the soy sauce, his eyes couldn’t help but brighten up.
” This…this feels like soy paste. However, this juice feels more flavorful than that crude paste.”
” This…this feels fishy…like clams. The texture is thick with a breath of ocean.”
” And…Oh goodness, This is so spicy.” Liang Wei coughed a bit when he tasted the chili paste sauce. ” But…This really adds a good kick in the food.”
” And… Huh?” He was surprised when he saw the black power. ” Black pepper? Young Lord Jia, You actually got black pepper?”
” Huh? I thought black pepper was supposed to be common here?” Jia Hao was surprised.
” It used to be as it imported from the west.” Liang Wei nodded. ” But a few decades ago, the path was infested with monsters, making the import of black pepper limited.”
” That’s why, it became a luxury spice, only a few nobility and high end restaurant uses them.”
” I see…” Jia Hao nodded when he saw Liang Wei’s eagerness. Even if his cooking might be mediocre, Jia Hao realized Liang Wei had a good quality. It was the willingness to learn.
After he familiarized himself with all the sauces and spices, Jia Hao looked at him with a smile. ” Well then, Chef Liang, If we use these things in our dishes, would it be popular?”
” This…Of course, Young Lord.” Liang Wei nodded hastily. ” Such a tasty dish will become explosive in a few days here. So, you don’t need to worry about the selling.”
” Very well, That’s what I want to hear.” Jia Hao nodded with satisfaction.
” So, I am leaving a portion of these things here. I hope you keep practicing with the recipe I am going to give to you.” Jia Hao gave him a small notebook.
” Young Long, Have faith in me.” Liang Wei spoke with determination. ” However, I believe I would be able to learn everything if instructed properly.”
” I hope you do.” Jia Hao nodded. But then, he turned around, seeing Cai Yixue standing in silence.
” Err…Wife?”
” Ah…Yes.” Cai Yixue nodded. ” I guess we should go back now?”
” Why?”
Jia Hao grinned as he crossed his arms. Cai Yixue looked at him with confusion. ” What do you mean?”
” Well, I prepared another bowl for you…But I guess you don’t want to eat~”
” No, Wait!”
Everyone looked at Cai Yixue with a weird gaze, making her feel awkward.
” Ahem…I mean…Wasting food isn’t good.” Cai Yixue coughed lightly,” So, Let me taste your cuisine.”
” Hehe…”
Jia Hao gave a cheeky grin as he served another bowl to Cai Yixue. The moment Cai Yixue took the first bite…she couldn’t just stop anymore.
” This is so delicious!”
