"I don't mind, you can be in charge of the dish, and I'll assist you."
Erina Nakiri said.
"Huh?"
Tadokoro Megumi looked at Erina Nakiri in surprise.
She knew that Erina Nakiri, with her God Tongue, was always very assertive, especially in cooking, where she never gave an inch. But this time, facing Satou, she was willing to act as an assistant, which was quite rare.
Alice Nakiri was also a bit puzzled.
"In that case, I'll also be responsible for assisting."
Tadokoro Megumi quickly said; she was already used to being Satou's assistant.
"Me too!"
Alice Nakiri raised her hand and said happily.
"Then Satou, what dish are you planning to make?"
Erina Nakiri asked.
"I plan to cook bear paw."
Satou thought for a moment and said.
In Chinese cuisine, there are very few dishes involving bear meat because of its strong gamey odor, but there are indeed many dishes involving bear paw.
It's just that although Satou specialized in Chinese cuisine at Far Moon, he was still a blank slate when it came to bear paw.
One reason was the vast array of Chinese cuisine, and another was the scarcity of ingredients like bear paw.
In China, bear paw is prohibited from being bought and sold, so there are probably very few chefs left who know how to cook bear paw now.
However, fortunately, others should also be unfamiliar with bear meat, and this was their first time encountering it, so they would also need time to research it.
Except for Kobayashi Rindo, who might have encountered it before.
Facing this completely new ingredient, what was being tested was everyone's fundamental skills.
"Bear paw? That's right, there are quite a few bear paw dishes in Chinese cuisine."
Erina Nakiri nodded.
"Actually, Europeans also eat bear paw!"
At this moment, Alice Nakiri said proudly.
"That's right, in France, there's a clear-braised bear paw, which is braised with straw mushrooms and ham. There's also German grilled bear paw, which I think involves steaming it until tender with spices and red wine, adding other meats, and finally drizzling with wine and lemon juice."
Erina Nakiri's face showed a thoughtful expression, "Russia also has a smoked bear paw method, but I don't remember it very clearly."
"How amazing, Erina Nakiri! As expected of the culinary encyclopedia!"
Tadokoro Megumi looked at Erina Nakiri with admiration.
Erina Nakiri's face flushed, and she said, "It's alright."
"Damn it!"
Alice Nakiri puffed out her cheeks, a little angry. She had originally wanted to take the opportunity to show off, but Erina Nakiri had said everything.
"Then, shall we research how to prepare bear paw?"
Satou smiled slightly.
Of course, everyone had no objections to this.
Soon, Far Moon sent over a batch of bear paws.
These bear meats were all raised at the Far Moon Hokkaido Resort, but the quantity was not large, making them very precious.
After the ingredients arrived, Satou began to try making it.
He was making Braised Bear Paw.
The method for Braised Bear Paw is very complex; it requires first placing it in lime, adding water and heating, and after it cools, removing the fur. Then, the bear paw is soaked in rice water to remove the gamey smell.
Afterward, the soaked bear paw is marinated with salt, green onion, ginger, and dried tangerine peel juice. Then, it is placed into a cut open piece of pork belly, the cut is sealed, and it is steamed in a pot.
It is steamed until the pork belly is tender and soft, so that the umami of the pork fully permeates the bear paw and also helps remove the gamey smell.
After that, the bones are removed, and chicken oil, green onion, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns are fried to release their aroma, then clear water is added, and the bear paw is simmered over low heat until tender.
Finally, the sauce is reduced over high heat, served with bok choy, and drizzled with the original sauce.
By the time this dish was finished, six hours had passed.
"Mmm, it's finally ready. Everyone, come and taste it."
Satou said with a smile.
Everyone eagerly began to taste it.
The bear paw was exceptionally tender and rich, melting in the mouth, and exquisitely delicious.
"Mmm, it's too delicious! I feel like I'm going to swallow my tongue."
Tadokoro Megumi squinted slightly, a happy smile on her face.
"It's so delicious!"
Alice Nakiri was also waving her chopsticks, continuously stuffing the dish into her mouth.
In a short while, the entire dish was eaten by the four people.
"How is it?"
Satou asked Erina Nakiri.
"The taste is not bad, but there's still a slight gamey smell that hasn't been completely removed. Also, it's a bit oily, and the heat was a bit too much, making it too soft."
Erina Nakiri offered several suggestions in one breath.
"Hmm, it seems there's still a lot of room for improvement. Then let's try other bear paw dishes to see if we can combine the advantages."
Satou thought for a moment and said.
"Eh? Are we starting again so soon?"
Erina Nakiri was startled and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Satou's sweat, while circling around Satou non-stop, "Do you want to sit down and rest for a bit, have some water? I can give you a shoulder massage?"
Mid-sentence, she suddenly noticed everyone looking at her strangely.
"You… why are you looking at me like that?"
Erina Nakiri's face flushed, and she whispered.
"Erina Nakiri, since when have you been so good to Satou?"
Tadokoro Megumi asked in surprise.
"Was… I?"
Erina Nakiri said with a very guilty conscience.
Satou was also a little surprised.
The former Erina Nakiri, in front of outsiders, would try to avoid being close to him. Even if she showed concern, it was only a faint verbal concern. But now, she was pouring water and giving massages, completely acting like a little woman.
Is it because of yesterday's incident?
Has Erina entered the wife-like state so quickly, starting to treat him as her future husband?
Satou secretly chuckled, then nodded and said, "Then let's rest for a bit."
Then he sat down and glanced at Erina Nakiri.
Erina Nakiri's face flushed, but she still walked over and began to massage his shoulders.
Her small hands were soft and boneless, and being massaged by her was very comfortable.
Alice Nakiri pouted, looking angrily at the two, clearly a little jealous.
After resting for half an hour, Satou and everyone else resumed cooking.
This time, they made Ginseng Braised Bear Paw.
It wasn't until evening that everyone emerged from the kitchen.
"I wonder how Yukihira-kun and the others are doing."
Tadokoro Megumi asked with some curiosity.
"Hmm, with Hayama Akira there, they should have figured something out, right?"
Erina Nakiri pondered for a moment and said.
However, as they passed by Yukihira Soma and the others' kitchen, everyone heard the sound of fighting coming from inside.
"Do as I say, it'll definitely be right!"
"What are you talking about? You should be listening to me!"
"Who do you think you are? Want to fight?"
"Come on!"
Everyone: "…"
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