This chap is a short one. Don't really remember the reason. Probably just me being lazy.
Now that he was on the subject of improving his restaurant, another improvement idea came to mind. It was a little addition that would surely elevate his restaurant to new heights. And that improvement was called sauce.
Every restaurant worth its salt in his memories had its own homemade sauce. After all, even though it looked like just a condiment that was overshadowed by the main dish, they could also be something strong enough to leave an impression on people's minds. It was the kind of thing that would make people come back.
Certainly, his free time would be sacrificed once again if he made the sauce homemade. However, just like the weekly grocery run he scheduled, if he scheduled a day to make enough sauce to last a month, wouldn't that still be a win? After all, even though he didn't have modern preservatives and machinery, he had the Statis Cabinet and his own Storage Dimension.
Ludwig began to dive into his mind and pull the memories of sauces he knew.
First, he needed something creamy. That was non-negotiable.
This creamy sauce would be designated to go along well with fried food. grilled meat, and even something as simple as roasted potatoes. His mind immediately settled on mayonnaise, not the store-bought kind, but one made fresh from eggs, oil, and acid that were properly emulsified until they held together into something thick and smooth.
But he wouldn't stop there. Just by making a Mayo, he would be able to branch it further when the necessity called for it. Things like garlic mayo, herb mayo, or even something sharper with mustard folded into it.
Then, his mind went to something lighter but still creamy.
Ranch.
The taste came to mind when he recalled the name. Tangy, herby, and a little bit sharp from the buttermilk. Unlike mayo, it was lighter. But it coated just enough to enhance without overwhelming. It would go well with fried chicken, fries, and raw vegetables for people who want to pretend they eat healthy.
Ludwig let that settle for a moment before moving on. With two creamy sauces in mind, he decided to seek a different flavor profile now. The direction he took was the exact opposite. Something with heat.
His mind didn't even hesitate this time.
Sambal bawang. Or if he needed to translate it, it would be Shallot Chili Sauce.
A spicy sauce from Indonesia that almost every Indonesian eats whenever they eat. However, what he had in mind was not the refined kind that could be bought in a sachet. He wanted the rougher version. A version where the spicy chilies were crushed with garlic and shallots in a pestle, then hit with hot oil until the aroma bloomed into something that could fill a room in seconds.
It would be spicy, yes. It would make some people break out in a sweat, yes. But the reason he picked it nonetheless was because Sambal goes along with almost everything. Meat, rice, fried food, and even something as simple as eggs. As a dip, it would give people a choice. Not just flavor, but slow intensity.
Ludwig's fingers tapped once against the cup before continuing. With the heat now in the table, he would need a counterweight. In food, the counterweight for heat was always sweetness.
Honey garlic came back to him, but not as a glaze this time. He adjusted it in his mind, thickening it just enough so it wouldn't run too quickly and reducing it until it could coat the back of a spoon without dripping immediately.
As a dip, it would sit in a comfortable middle. Sweet enough to be inviting, yet still savory enough not to feel like a dessert. It would work especially well with anything coming off the rotator.
Then, he would also need something sharp. Something that cut through everything else.
A mustard-based dip came into place naturally. Not the aggressive kind that burned the nose, but something balanced. Mustard, a bit of honey, and a bit of vinegar. It would be smooth, but still with a bite that lingered just enough.
That would pair with heavier meats. The kind that needed something to break through the fat.
Ludwig exhaled slowly as the structure began to form in his head.
Creamy.
Light creamy.
Spicy.
Sweet-savory.
Sharp.
Five directions, five dips.
Each one of the covered a different need, not overlapping too much, but still flexible enough to be used across multiple dishes. His eyes then drifted toward the kitchen again, this time not looking at the equipment, but at the empty space where these things would exist.
Small bowls and consistent portions. Maybe even a set menu where customers could choose two or three to go with their order. That would work. In truth, more than work, it would make the experience feel intentional.
His fingers stopped tapping as he nodded. It seemed like he would have to go to Tempest to order a few small plates to house the sauces.
Ludwig curled his fingers around the cold glass of coffee before bringing it to his mouth. Once the bitter and fruity coffee came to the back of his throat, he felt movement around the stairs. It started with the sound of footsteps, one after another rather than in unison. That was a tell-tale sign, there were two people coming down.
When their figure finally stepped into the light of the dining hall, the two turned out to be Zhark and Finka.
Ludwig shifted his posture towards them. "You guys choose to be on break today?"
Finka nodded before answering. "Yes, Chef."
Ludwig nodded without even being surprised or thinking about it. After all, whenever Zhark was with someone else, it was almost an unspoken rule that someone would become his interpreter.
"Cool." Ludwig blinked out of the kitchen and arrived just beside the door. "What are you waiting for?"
He then looked at Arcanine, who was looking at him. "I'll be back in a second. A minute at most. Guard the house for me, will you?"
Arcanine growled. But in his mind, his demeanor and its short growl felt like he was answering with 'Yessir!' Which made him break out into a chuckle.
"And Gastly! No surprising people who came, okay!"
"Ghast!" The gaseous Pokemon answered. But his tone felt like he felt the injustice in his wording. Well, that was only natural. The guy had never surprised or played pranks on anyone until now.
Ludwig just said it to annoy it.
As Ludwig left the restaurant, Finka and Zhark followed him. Then, just before they teleported, he opened his mouth. "Where to?"
The sound of the wind on the peak of Ashfrost blew all over them for a moment because the answer didn't come instantly. Then, a small chuckle broke through it.
"Where else, Boss? You know that the village is the only place we can go to from here." Finka answered.
"Well, not for long." Ludwig answered playfully. But before the two could ask him more, the scenery around them warped. A moment later, the snow and the endless sky were gone, it were all replaced by lush trees, dense foliage, and the lively sound of birds and other critters.
"Ugh…" Finka groaned.
It seemed like her body hadn't built enough tolerance for the teleportation. But not something hard to fix, time would fix it without them doing anything.
"Enjoy your break, guys. If someone is still unconvinced about moving to Tempest, help me to convince them, okay?" Ludwig moved his hands around, saying goodbye. Then off he went again.
He walked back to the restaurant, greeted by the growl of Arcanine and the playful nudge from Ghaslty. He played with them for a few minutes, because Pokemon not only need to be trained, they also need to be cared for.
Only after both of his Pokemon looked satisfied did he walk to the kitchen. With no Finka around, he would have to work extra hard. Thankfully, school was off today, so he wouldn't have to entertain both Claire and Cless in the morning.
Just like that, he pulled a few long bones that looked like a whip from his Storage Dimension. They were the main characters for today's soup. A soup that they were sure would be a big hit for the customers of the restaurant.
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