Food Stall: Customers Chase Me across the Country-Chapter 407: A Man So Unbelievably Extraordinary It’s Almost Unreal

Chapter 407: Chapter 407: A Man So Unbelievably Extraordinary It’s Almost Unreal

The soup cocotte was taken out of the hot water. Although it was slightly less effective than a clay pot, the difference wasn’t significant for just three minutes.

But this little flaw was entirely negligible for Kurban and the others. Being able to eat a state banquet was already a huge blessing; how could you be picky?

People should be content; what more could you ask for?

Wang Fan also added a bit of brandy and green garlic sprouts to the clay pot. At this moment, Zhuo Qianqian came back. From her expression, it was clear that Grandma Wu was enjoying her meal.

Just as she returned, it was perfectly timed to serve the stewed beef.

"Take a bowl as you serve it, and cover the clay pot with a lid when you’re done. Don’t serve more than two bowls at a time."

Hearing Wang Fan’s advice, Zhuo Qianqian nodded and then walked away with measured steps.

Kurban and the other four didn’t notice Zhuo Qianqian’s return; they were now all fixated on the small cocotte in front of them, counting down in unison and occasionally mumbling under their breath.

"159..."

"142..."

Watching them, Wang Fan shook his head helplessly, feeling that counting like this was not as effective as just looking at the wall clock.

"101..."

"40..."

"1, open!"

The five of them immediately uncovered the lid of the cocotte, and when Wang Fan looked up at the clock, their count was timed to the second.

As the lid was lifted, a rich aroma wafted through the air — a perfect blend of the beef’s robust fragrance and the refreshing scent of brandy.

Next came the aroma of the mixed vegetables, which, although not as thick as the beef aroma, added an elegant fragrance, giving more variation to the dish’s smell.

Breathing it all in, Kurban closed his eyes in intoxicated enjoyment, feeling the bouquet continuously morphing within his nasal passage.

The aroma captivates first!

Without even seeing the contents of the cocotte clearly, they were mesmerized by the scent, and Kurban felt a little embarrassed while once again impressed with Wang Fan’s skill — though he had been impressed before.

As an insider, the aroma alone hinted at a level of expertise bordering on genius.

Many dishes have recipes, even with similar instructions, but having a recipe and instructions doesn’t guarantee you can make them.

The ingredients are never the same, and following the exact same process won’t yield identical results.

The same ingredients in another’s hands could bring out the perfect flavor, not merely a sign of rich experience but also requiring extraordinary talent.

No matter the industry, those at the pinnacle are no longer competing with 99% hard work but that 1% talent.

Picking up a piece of beef and placing it in his mouth, after a gentle chew, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

After being braised for so long, the beef was incredibly tender, practically melting in his mouth, but once it melted, fresh juicy flavors were released, with a hint of jujube aroma, adding depth to the beef’s rich flavor.

As he chewed, the beef’s rich flavor gradually spread. Kurban savored it slowly, feeling that the richness wasn’t greasy but an intense meat aroma, the original and authentic taste of beef.

This is incredible!

The addition of ingredients seemed only to penetrate the surface fibers of the beef, as biting through it released the beef’s own delicious flavor!

Even as the brandy’s scent spread within his mouth, mixing with the beef’s richness to create a harmonious taste, he could still taste the beef’s inherent deliciousness. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The flavors of spices and vegetables also began to diffuse, adding complexity to the dish’s layers.

The sweetness of carrots, the aroma of onions, and the unique flavor of other spices complemented the beef and brandy, making each bite full of surprises.

The unique sweet and sour taste of Great Border tomatoes, coupled with an overall salty and refreshing flavor, stimulated the taste buds to secrete saliva crazily.

But!

Even under such circumstances, he could still taste that this beef came from a Great Border brown cow!

The beef’s inherent deliciousness was completely locked within the meat, not a shred wasted!

Kurban stared blankly at the beef, then at Wang Fan, and finally asked soulfully, "Why is this happening?"

Wang Fan asked in confusion, "What are you referring to?"

The dish has many intricacies and techniques, so he wasn’t sure which part Kurban was asking about.

"Why, despite you adding so many seasonings and vegetables, does the beef’s natural flavor remain so thoroughly preserved?"

Wang Fan didn’t expect this question. After thinking for a moment, he said, "It might have something to do with me not parboiling the meat. Although parboiling removes the blood, some beef flavor inevitably gets lost, and then it’s about controlling the heat."

"No parboiling? Wouldn’t that make it gamey?"

"Yes, how do you deal with the gaminess without parboiling the meat?"

"Did you use special beef?"

Hearing their discussion, Wang Fan realized they hadn’t been exposed to Cantonese cuisine.

As far as Wang Fan knew, only Cantonese cuisine skips the parboiling step.

After all, Guangfu people pursue the original flavor of food. They’d rather spend lots of time cleaning ingredients properly to avoid using the convenient method of parboiling, which reduces even a tiny bit of the food’s deliciousness.

Since leaving Guangfu, Wang Fan seemed to have subconsciously retained this habit, routinely cleaning most meats instead of parboiling them.

"This is a characteristic of some Cantonese dishes, where meat isn’t parboiled, but cleaned extensively with flour and salt to ensure the freshest taste of the ingredients isn’t lost. Maybe that’s the last straw that breaks the camel’s back."

Kurban admired, "I’m impressed. Master Wang Xitian’s spirit of innovation and improvement is admirable. Master Wang, your attention to detail truly demonstrates your skill, eh, both of you are surnamed Wang. Master Wang, are you perhaps a student of Master Wang Xitian?"

Wang Fan quickly shook his head, "I don’t have such fortune. I didn’t have a teacher; I just like doing it myself."

The idea of a system was too unbelievable, so he thought it was more credible to shamelessly claim he was self-taught.

"Self-taught?"

Kurban’s jaw almost hit the floor.

Such exceptional culinary skills achieved through self-learning?

It’s even less believable than saying you have a system!

After all, with so many imaginative novels around, systems aren’t novel. Kurban had read several similar novels, but self-taught to become a master chef was exceedingly rare.

This isn’t logical!

Wang Fan didn’t know these people had inadvertently uncovered the truth, though they didn’t believe it either.

He didn’t dwell on the issue but instead emphasized the key points to remember in making this dish.

After explaining, he said, "Excuse me, I have to finish the last dish first. Please feel free to help yourselves."