Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe-Chapter 199 - 149: Don’t Just Grab These Two, Try Something Else Too
Among the guests including the staff, most of them came for breakfast because of Lin Chen.
Upon hearing his voice suddenly, they didn't even bother to appreciate the restaurant's scenery and converged from all directions.
Lin Chen brought the milk pot and stood behind the salad area table, nodding and smiling at the onlookers. Seeing that most people had their phones pointed this way, he leaned forward slightly and slowly tilted the milk pot.
The translucent yellowish liquid poured over the minced garlic atop the vegetable shreds, instantly producing wisps of white smoke.
"Sizzle"
"Sizzle"
"Sizzle"
Each pour scattered the minced garlic, creating small bubbles and emitting an enticing, delightful sound, while intensifying the aroma of garlic.
The process was the same for both salads.
After pouring, Lucas picked up a seasoning bowl placed next to him, scooped three large spoonfuls of the sauce, and drizzled it in circles. His gloved fingers then directly plunged into the salads to mix them.
The mixing technique was meticulous. To ensure the shape and texture of the ingredients remained intact, you couldn't squeeze, only scoop, maintaining slightly spread fingers, sliding them under both sides' bottom, lifting like a loader funnel, then gently dropping.
The blanched celery slices were crystal clear, exhibiting a tender light green, with a thin layer of oil reflecting a shiny surface under the lights.
The pale yellow dried bean curd slices were an entirely novel ingredient to everyone, their stacked, crumpled appearance mysteriously suggesting a soybean product.
Lucas scooped the mix a dozen times, ensuring the sauce at the bottom thoroughly combined with the ingredients.
Now, the celery and dried bean curd no longer had a semi-finished look, radiating a luminous sheen from top to bottom, inside and out, while a few sesame seeds clung to the ingredients' surface. The enticing aroma penetrated several meters away.
No need to change gloves; both types of salads had sesame oil and sesame seeds, with similar sauces. Lucas stepped aside and began mixing the Northeastern mixed salad.
This cold dish had noticeably more diverse ingredients than the previous one, vibrant in color, with translucent vermicelli mixed in. Freshly fried chili oil mingled with aged vinegar and sesame oil, quietly releasing a rich fragrance during blending.
"Gulp"
Someone unknowingly swallowed, triggering a chain reaction.
Compared to the regular Caesar and spinach salads next to them, these never-before-seen salads and their unique aroma fully piqued the onlookers' curiosity, making them eager to rush and taste them.
The most crucial part was the three pours of oil earlier. It could be a psychological effect, but it made them even more anticipatory.
"Can we eat now, can we eat now?"
Elise tightly clutched her porcelain plate, eager to rush forward; the fragrance was overwhelming!
"You can now, everyone, please line up a bit, don't push. Also, a reminder, for this well-filled mixed salad, it's best to add a spoon or two of fried peanuts if you're not allergic to peanuts!"
Two heaping bowls of mixed salad, almost overflowing.
Due to the recent mixing, some sauce splattered out, making it look less tidy, messy, sharply contrasting the two types of salads next to it.
After calling out, Lucas removed his gloves and slowly stepped back, making room.
Elise and Vanessa swiftly dashed forward, firmly taking advantageous positions. The two were in perfect sync, each scooping a serving for themselves and one for each other, saving time by not changing positions.
Both added peanuts. If taking advice means eating well, then tasting the full version was a must.
After grabbing their servings, they followed the table forward, curious about any other delicacies available.
As soon as they walked on, they were completely engulfed by the incoming diners behind them.
The golden, soft butter-fried scrambled eggs, macaroni covered in cheddar cheese, sliced ham with melon, freshly baked hot fruit muffins...
The two wandered to the end, encountering all Western dishes, which piqued their curiosity to return to Lin Chen's stove area in the central region.
"Chef, where are the other dishes? When will they be ready?"
Although the dish basins there were empty, nameplates for the dishes were placed, giving a rough idea of what to expect.
They knew the dishes but, like the mixed salads, couldn't imagine their presentation until they saw the finished products.
"Starting now."
Lin Chen needed a crowd.
The salad area was just five meters to his left, where queuing diners gazed expectantly at him, a perfect opportunity for performance.
The cart behind him was already organized with the ingredients. First, he took a bowl of thinly sliced green pepper strips and garlic slices, then marinated beef tenderloin.
The marination method was simple, using basic scallion ginger water, soy sauce, crushed black pepper, and starch water.
"Hey!"
Just as he raised the oil jug to pour into the pan, he heard a familiar shout in front of him, instinctively looking up.
"Click"
Accompanied by the camera shutter, Jade and Amber's smiling faces came into view, standing two meters away, waving at him.
"How did you two get here? Wait a minute, today's Monday, right? Aren't you working?"
He was utterly surprised to see them at this time, his expression showing disbelief.
"Surprised, aren't you? We didn't expect it either~"
"Haha, we originally planned to come on Friday night, but then Lucas tipped us off that you've become the restaurant's head chef, officially opening on Monday, only serving hotel guests."
