Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 857 - 427: Assorted Vegetable Buns

Zhao Cheng'an took a hearty bite of the Qianhua Gongdeng Bun and said, "But before I met you, I still thought I was a natural prodigy. It's just a matter of not having enough time to specialize. Give me 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, 50 years, 60 years, and I can definitely master everything."

Say what you may, Zhao Cheng'an really has a good mindset, and he's very dedicated to his work.

Listen, he's even willing to make snacks for another 60 years; that's some serious dedication!

"What about now?" Qin Huai asked with a bit of cheekiness.

Zhao Cheng'an shot Qin Huai an annoyed glance, then subtly peeked at Master Zhou. Seeing that Master Zhou and Shi Dadan were happily chit-chatting and not paying attention to him, he lowered his voice and said, "Of course, I'm still a natural prodigy now!"

"It's just that you're a bit more talented than me, but that doesn't mean my talent is any less. I've got outstanding talent, okay? Or else my master wouldn't like me so much!"

Qin Huai chuckled, suddenly understanding why Master Zhou was so fond of Zhao Cheng'an.

Because Zhao Cheng'an is confident.

He was confident when he thought his talent was unmatched, and he remained confident even after he discovered he wasn't the number one talent.

The literary world lacks a true number one, while the martial world acknowledges the second. Dishes and snacks can indeed be ranked.

Craftsmanship speaks for itself. Once customers taste it, they'll know. Everyone may have their preferences and biases, but absolute skill cannot be denied.

Making snacks is a process of constantly meeting geniuses and constantly acknowledging one's mediocrity.

You might be a one-in-a-hundred talent, but this world is filled with one-in-a-thousand, one-in-ten-thousand, or even one-in-a-million talents.

Mindset is crucial.

Pei Xing, a well-connected figure, chose not to engage here at Zhiwei Restaurant because he no longer had the mindset for it.

The master chefs at Zhiwei Restaurant, which of them weren't one-in-a-thousand talents as apprentices? Yet, all of them end up just being referred to by their surname like xx Master. Even someone as prestigious as Master Zhou in pastry will one day be replaced by a newer and more skilled master, becoming a former xx Master.

Qin Huai has been observing for days, not only watching snacks but observing many people. Why are the relationships so complex among the masters at Zhiwei Restaurant, who are often displeased with each other? It's because they still have the pride and sharpness of their youth, even in middle age.

Even though Master Hua ranks 37th below Master Zhou in the Chef Record, he's bold enough to challenge Master Zhou to a duel by the lake. Despite everyone thinking he stands no chance against Master Zhou, either physically or technically.

Why has Master Zhou been so displeased with Su Qian recently, often scolding him, to the point where he's too busy to check on Qin Huai's progress?

It's because Su Qian currently lacks that pride and confidence. When Su Qian was serving as deputy team leader at Yunzhong Restaurant, Qin Huai could see that pride belonging to an elite apprentice and highly connected individual emanating from him. But back at Zhiwei Restaurant, whether it was due to a problem with tarts or some other mishap, Su Qian became timid, and his skill and confidence dwindled.

Thus, Qin Huai doesn't feel Master Zhou has deliberately ignored him; he genuinely sees Master Zhou as occupied with matters concerning Su Qian.

The speculations Zhao Cheng'an made in the kitchen earlier, Qin Huai believes the part that Master Zhou delights in showing off. Zhao Cheng'an is experienced in gossip—he only eats the real fruits, not the fake ones—but when it comes to analyzing matters...

He's no match for Dong Shi.

At least Dong Shi can always come up with intriguing and strange stories.

"Qin Huai, why do you keep eating buns?" Zhao Cheng'an asked, glancing at the array of snacks on the table, "Is it that the Baked Bun or flaky pastry doesn't taste good? I'll admit that some fancy-looking snacks are all about appearances, but my master's good-looking snacks are definitely not just for show. His assorted fruit dish is genuinely delicious; I finished all those green grapes."

"I know," Qin Huai said, "I just find this vegetarian bun particularly delicious."

"This assorted vegetarian bun is Boss Su's creation. Back in the day, Zhiwei Restaurant gained its fame with this bun, rumored to have originated from the palace," Zhao Cheng'an said, "Don't be fooled by it being a vegetarian bun; the filling is quite complex. But since it's a vegetarian bun, it's not sold at a high price. With my master knowing too many other snacks, he doesn't make it often, and Boss Su rarely sells buns now, so you usually can't buy it."

"I can taste it," Qin Huai nodded, "The greens in the bun filling are obviously prepared by trimming the roots and yellow leaves, blanching, chopping finely, and then squeezing dry multiple times."

"The ingredients are rich, and everything is diced finely, with minimal seasoning, mainly soy sauce, sugar, and salt. The filling is likely pre-cooked and drizzled with soup, yet it's certainly not a clear broth or stock; it's a specially cooked vegetable soup, thickened at the end. Such a complex process, and it's purely a vegetarian bun, which makes it highly likely to be imperial snacks."

Zhao Cheng'an listened in awe.

"Tan Wei'an told you all this? That's not right; Tan Wei'an probably doesn't even know the recipe for the assorted vegetarian bun. It's Boss Su's exclusive secret. One of the conditions for Boss Su recruiting my master to Zhiwei Restaurant was passing this recipe to him."

"Did you plant a spy in our Zhiwei Restaurant?"

"That's even less likely; Boss Su doesn't have apprentices. My master has only three apprentices, and you got my senior apprentice and elder sister to sell out? Is Sister Yan so desperate for money to buy that school district apartment?"

Qin Huai: ...

Buddy, do you hear what you're saying? Do you believe I won't record your words just now and send them to Sister Yan, ensuring you enter Zhiwei Restaurant horizontally and exit vertically tomorrow?

"Of course, I deduced it by tasting," Qin Huai said with some exasperation, "I can only taste these aspects; there are surely more nuanced details. Like how the greens are so tender, there must be additional steps during blanching. The method for squeezing out water might also be unique. All the other vegetables serve to enhance the flavor, with ginkgo likely playing a crucial role."

"And there's no need to mention the final drizzle of vegetarian soup and thickening; even if you asked me to guess, I couldn't come up with the recipe and technique."

"I just said I could taste it, meaning I can tell this bun is definitely not an ordinary bun. Do you remember I told you about my sister? When she watches palace dramas, she's always craving those imperial snacks. I've studied every imperial snack from the Snack Encyclopedia. The procedures and processes for these imperial snacks are fairly standard. They either focus on appearance or flavor. The ones focusing on appearance are relatively easier, but those excelling in flavor always put great effort into the filling. A final soup glaze and thickening are essential."

Zhao Cheng'an looked at Qin Huai, tempted to ask: Buddy, are you the one with formal training, or am I?

When it comes to imperial snacks, compared to you, I'm totally a rookie.

An Youyou sat across from Qin Huai. After listening to the entire conversation between Qin Huai and Zhao Cheng'an, she hastily swallowed her snack before reaching for another assorted vegetarian bun, taking a big bite.

"Master Qin, if these vegetarian imperial snacks are so delicious, are the large meat buns of the imperial snacks even more so?" An Youyou asked curiously.

"No idea," Qin Huai admitted, indicating this was his knowledge blind spot, "If the Five Fillings Bun counts as a large meat bun among imperial snacks, then that depends on your judgment."

"Then I still prefer the meat bun," An Youyou said, "Meat buns are more valuable; a Five Fillings Bun sells for dozens of dollars each."