Chapter 2386: One More Bowl!
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
A plate of hot and sour shredded potatoes decorated with some red chili and a plate of salt & pepper potatoes, together with a bowl of piping hot porridge was Issa and Farah's dinner.
"Mother, try it." Farah sat in front of Issa as she looked at her with anticipation.
This was the first time she tried her hands at cooking. The process was rather smooth. The ingredients stuck to the pan slightly when she first started but other than that, everything went well. She managed to pull it off successfully on her first try.
The smell of sourness and spiciness wafted through the air and rose with the steam, making one salivate.
"I can't believe you can already cook after just a few lessons! This teacher is impressive." Issa complimented as she put some shredded potatoes in her mouth.
!!
The sourness and spiciness triggered her taste buds starting from the tip of her tongue. The shredded potatoes were crispy and juicy. It was an indescribable taste.
"Super good!"
Issa's eyes lit up immediately as she looked at the glistening shredded potatoes in disbelief.
She rarely tasted delicacies in her life. This was just a plate of hot and sour shredded potatoes, yet it tasted even better than a plate of meat that they only got the chance to eat on rare festive occasions.
"Mother, what's wrong? Is it bad?" Farah asked cautiously when she saw tears glistening at the corner of Issa's eyes.
"No." Issa sniffed. She looked at Farah gladly and said, "It's too delicious! It's the most delicious food I've ever had."
Upon hearing that, a smile bloomed on Farah's face. She had never heard such a compliment from her mother before.
Besides, Farah suddenly found a clearer meaning in learning cooking when she saw her mother with tears welling up in her eyes.
Letting her mother eat delicious food and lead a better life was the best reason for that.
"In that case, have more." Farah started eating as well. She tried some shredded potatoes.
The shredded potatoes were crunchy, sour, and spicy. It was very refreshing and delicious, perfect to go with rice!
However, Farah still felt that something was lacking. The texture of the shredded potatoes seemed a little off. It must have been the control over the fire when she first added the potatoes into the pot. There was too much vinegar and the spiciness seemed to be too much for her mother too. She did not expect such a small chili to be so spicy.
"I should be able to make it better the next time," Farah thought to herself.
Teacher Mag was right indeed. In cooking, one could only find out their problems through continuous trying and practicing before they can improve.
As for the salt & pepper potatoes, it was not bad, but it was not as outstanding as the hot and sour shredded potatoes.
Mag had only disclosed its recipe and had yet to demonstrate how to cook it. Farah's first time replicating it did not seem very successful. She could not control the amount of salt and pepper added very well.
However, they were still very satisfied with their dinner. By the time they finished half a pot of porridge, they were only left with a few chili slices.
Farah had finished her cooking debut. Although it was not perfect, she was satisfied with it.
***
"Oh! My goodness, dear, your shredded potatoes taste lovely! It's… it's almost as good as your father's!"
In a run-down stone hut, a scrawny middle-aged woman looked at Beck, who was sitting in front of her. The chopsticks in her hand were shaking because of her agitation.
On the table in front of them, was a plate of hot and sour shredded potatoes that did not look very good.
The shredded potatoes were not cut evenly and perhaps because of the poor control of fire, the shredded potatoes, which were supposed to be in long strips, were of uneven lengths and broke easily.
However, it still made the woman very agitated.
Beck, with his head hung low, looked at that woman in shock and said, "Mother, you… you find this delicious?"
"Yes, it's the most delicious food I've had. It's sour and spicy. So delicious." The woman nodded with a smile. She picked up another strand of shredded potato and put it into her mouth. After that, she ate two mouthfuls of rice, swallowed the food, and said, "It goes so well with rice."
Beck took a doubtful bite. It was too sour and even spicier. That bite almost forced his tears out. He quickly took two mouthfuls of rice to balance it out.
This was completely different from the hot and sour shredded potatoes made by Teacher Mag he had in school.
However, it was just like what his mother had said. It was a little too sour and spicy, but it also went really well with rice.
"Mother, what I made is miles apart from what my teacher made." Beck put his chopsticks down despondently.
"Silly child. This is the first dish you made and it's already very impressive that you're at this standard." The woman put her chopsticks down. She reached her hand out and stroked Beck's head gently before saying with a smile, "I haven't tried the hot and sour shredded potatoes your teacher made but I think yours is really very delicious. It tastes better than anything I made."
Beck looked at his mother and smiled. He nodded and said, "Mm. I will definitely improve as I go along."
"Of course. We still have a bag of potatoes. We'll have hot and sour shredded potatoes every night from now on." The woman nodded with a smile.
"Mother, can you tell me more about father? How did he become a chef?"
"Your father…"
***
After using the hot and sour shredded potatoes in his lesson, Mag went back to launch this new product in the restaurant that very night, adding a new member to the vegetarian dish section.
"Today's new product: Hot and sour shredded potatoes, 108 per set!"
"It has been a very long time since such a cheap new product was launched. I think I can try it with my eyes closed."
"It's sour and hot. I'll just make a wild guess that this is going to be delicious."
The customers queuing outside started their fervent discussion when they saw the little blackboard hanging at the door.
"Boss, why are you selling such a delicious plate of hot and sour shredded potato at only 108 coins?" Yabemiya asked Mag in bewilderment as she ate the shredded potatoes.
The ladies all looked at Mag curiously. The price of the dish was indeed a little too cheap compared to the other dishes.
"The price of the dish is determined by its difficulty. I have always had a clear conscience when I set a price for a dish. It costs what it's worth," Mag said calmly.
Each serving of hot and sour shredded potatoes would use up two potatoes, three chilies, half a spoonful of vinegar, four garlic cloves, 12 Sichuan peppercorns, and a little oil. The cooking method was simple and it was a dish that could be completed very quickly. Therefore, 108 coins was a very reasonable price.
"I want another bowl of rice." Amy placed her empty bowl down.
"You want one more bowl of rice today?" Mag went over to get Amy another bowl of rice with a smile.
"Mm, mm. The shredded potatoes today are delicious. I want another bowl of rice," Amy said with a nod of her head.
"I… I want another bowl of rice too." Kiddo placed her bowl down as well. There were two grains of rice stuck on her cheek.
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