Take a pot and heat the chicken broth on low heat.
In another pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat it over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
Afterward, set the mushrooms and their juices aside.
In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sliced onions, stirring for 1 minute. Add the rice, stirring it to coat evenly.
Cook for about 2 minutes until the rice turns white and the edges become golden.
Next, add dry white wine, continuing to stir until it's fully absorbed by the rice.
Finally, remove the pan from heat and add the mushrooms and their juices, green onions, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper, stirring to mix thoroughly.
Thus, a simple risotto is completed.
...
"Very good!"
"You're improving quickly, Megumi."
Standing nearby, Orie glanced at the dish and couldn't help but praise it.
She eagerly picked up a spoon and took a bite.
As soon as it touched her taste buds, the flavors awakened instantly.
Just like when you need coffee beans to reset your sense of smell, the taste of the risotto brought out the full aroma and flavors of the rice, broth, and ingredients all at once.
"Hmm, the taste is quite good."
"The aroma of the rice, the freshness of the mushrooms, and the crispness of the cucumber immediately fill your mouth."
"And the perfect control of the cooking time merges all the simple ingredients' flavors, filling the entire mouth."
"The rich taste lingers in the mouth."
Orie analyzed as she ate.
She found herself not satisfied with just one bite, so she took another spoonful of risotto.
As soon as it entered her mouth, the rich aroma spread, a unique flavor created by simmering various ingredients together. It had the savory taste of meat, the freshness of vegetables, and the rich flavor of the broth, all intertwined, creating an indescribable deliciousness!
Chewing it, the softness of the rice and the smoothness of the broth intertwined in the mouth, providing a silky texture.
The small chunks of meat and vegetables hidden within the rice released more flavors during chewing, making every bite delightful.
A noteworthy element was the broth. It not only complemented the rice but also carried the flavors.
It was neither too greasy nor too thin, perfectly coating each grain of rice, bringing a balanced taste and texture to the dish.
...
"Senior."
"Do you think the risotto I made meets your standards?"
Megumi, watching Orie savoring the dish with a somewhat complicated expression, finally gathered her courage to ask softly.
"Hmm, how should I put it?"
"Though it still has some flaws, overall, it's quite good."
"At least it's on par with the assistant chefs in my Kirinoya."
Orie pondered for a moment, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.
Eventually, she looked deeply at Megumi, then turned serious and said, "But Megumi, you must understand that the purpose of the hands-on training isn't just to improve your cooking skills."
"It's about bringing change to my restaurant with your presence."
"Yes."
"I understand!"
Megumi, taken aback for a moment, quickly nodded in agreement.
"Sigh, you don't need to rush things."
"After all, the hands-on training lasts for half a month."
"This period is enough for you to calm down and think about what changes you need to make."
Sensing the pressure on Megumi, Orie patted her shoulder, smiling softly.
...
In reality.
Megumi, interning outside, was indeed feeling stressed.
She constantly thought that if she couldn't leave a noticeable achievement here, she would face expulsion.
Especially considering her poor performance at the beginning of the school year.
Having survived the dormitory training and the Autumn Selection, she felt the pressure.
Her determination to pass the hands-on training was stronger than anyone else's, but the pressure she felt was equally immense.
If only she had been assigned to the tavern for her internship!
With a gentle and handsome owner like Zane, he would surely help her pass the training.
Megumi's thoughts drifted to Zane, a man who had inadvertently entered her heart and whom she could never forget.
"Megumi, what are you thinking?"
Seeing Megumi dazed, Orie gently nudged her and asked with a smile.
"Senior, I... I wasn't thinking about anything."
Megumi, snapping back to reality, blushed.
Seeing her like this, Orie sighed and said, "Since your risotto has improved, you don't need to do miscellaneous tasks in the kitchen anymore."
"From now on, you'll assist me as my sous chef."
"What? Can I really be your sous chef now?"
Megumi, surprised, was clearly thrilled.
"Of course, you're capable enough now."
"Thank you so much, senior!"
Megumi exclaimed in joy.
...
If two things in the world can trigger people's five senses, they are:
Love.
And food.
A few slices of slightly salty baguette, a piece of crispy croissant, paired with warm coffee or milk, simple yet satisfying.
Appetizers.
Aperitifs.
Starters.
Main courses.
Cheese plates.
Coffee, chocolate.
Digestifs.
...
Clearly.
Every step, every detail of French cuisine is filled with ritual and warmth.
At this moment, in a bustling city, a restaurant named "SHINO'S" had just seated its first guests, creating an intense atmosphere in the kitchen.
"Alright!"
"The first guests have been seated, let's begin."
Four-star chef Kojiro Shinomiya, dressed in a white chef's uniform, scanned the kitchen with a stern expression and spoke in a cold tone.
"Yes!"
"Chef Shinomiya."
The kitchen staff quickly sprang into action upon receiving Shinomiya's command.
In an instant, the kitchen was bustling with activity.
"What's with this atmosphere?"
Soma Yukihira, interning at SHINO'S, was astonished by the busy yet quiet scene.
...
This new French restaurant.
In terms of size, reputation, management, and operation, it was worlds apart from Yukihira's family diner.
He found it hard to adjust!
Moreover.
Leaving a noticeable achievement here was quite challenging for Yukihira.
Thinking about Shinomiya's personality and temper made him even more uncertain about how to interact with him.
"Hey!"
"Intern over there, don't make unnecessary noise."
"If it happens again, I'll kick you out and make you serve tables."
Glancing at the slightly distracted Yukihira, Shinomiya spoke with some resentment.
"Uh, I got it!"
Yukihira, stunned, quickly closed his mouth and remained silent.
...
Being the first Japanese recipient of the "Prix Prosper Montagne," Kojiro Shinomiya had achieved a level of honor many could only dream of.
After the dormitory training, he rediscovered his ambition.
Though defeated by Asahi Saiba and losing his career in France, he didn't give up. He opened a new SHINO'S restaurant in Japan.
This restaurant became Yukihira's hands-on training location.
Here, Yukihira witnessed the high standards of a top-notch restaurant kitchen and the terrifyingly skilled Shinomiya.
"This is so delicious!"
In front of a customer was a classic French dish, blanquette de veau.
The well-stewed veal and the sauce-drenched potatoes were heavenly.
"Amazing, the potatoes aren't overcooked."
"They have the perfect chewiness."
"The centers retain the earthy sweetness of the potatoes."
The customer couldn't help but exclaim.
Cutting a small piece of beef with special sauce, he slowly brought it to his mouth.
Immediately, he felt the rich flavor and texture of the meat.
Tender and juicy.
Savory and fragrant.
The beef was perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of chewiness.
...
It's well known.
French cuisine is the pinnacle of Western cuisine.
From pâtés made from pork, rabbit, goose, duck, foie gras, and fish to the 450 AOC-certified wines, it's astounding.
If the East has its culinary wonders.
Then in the West, French cuisine stands as a culinary temple.
Known for its sophistication and elegance, it's beloved worldwide. Shinomiya's restaurant leaves a lasting impression and amazes everyone!
...
"Shinomiya, it's wonderful that you opened a restaurant in Japan."
The customer, thrilled after enjoying the blanquette de veau, couldn't contain his excitement.
"Thank you. This restaurant is newly opened and needs your support."
"Your patronage and appreciation of our dishes are deeply appreciated."
"If there's anything you find unsatisfactory about the dish, please let me know."
Shinomiya replied courteously.
After rediscovering his goal, Shinomiya realized his shortcomings and started to change his personality!
...
Tonight, at the tavern.
An enticing aroma filled the air.
Delicious okonomiyaki, a type of Japanese savory pancake made with flour and vegetables, cooked on a griddle.
The pancake included:
Cabbage.
Chives.
Green onions.
Kimchi.
And some pork belly and mayonnaise.
Next, it was topped with bonito flakes and seaweed powder. Despite being a simple snack, the taste was rich and varied.
More importantly, the tavern used high-quality ingredients, carefully selected, with the best pork belly!
The resulting okonomiyaki was excellent, far better than those from street vendors.
...
"Mmm~"
"This okonomiyaki is amazing."
A beautiful woman couldn't help but exclaim after taking a bite.
Under the light, her long silver hair shone, cascading down her back.
Her eyes were cold, like a clear spring in the mountains.
She had an ethereal, aloof aura, wearing a blue off-shoulder chiffon dress with a cute bow at the waist, adorned with layers of lace.
This
stunning woman added a touch of brightness to the otherwise quiet atmosphere.
...
Okonomiyaki is a popular Japanese dish, representing Osaka's food culture.
In the early 20th century, when Japan's economy was struggling, okonomiyaki became a popular dish in Osaka, known as "one-cent Western food," affordable for everyone.
In front of Leonora Nakiri was okonomiyaki made with cabbage, shrimp, pork, kimchi, carrots, seaweed, eggs, and mochi.
Combined with the restaurant's special sauce, mixed and grilled on a hot plate.
Finally, topped with mayonnaise and seaweed powder, it was ready!
Eaten with a spatula like cutting a cake, each bite was crispy outside, soft and smooth inside, very delicious.
Paired with a bottle of red wine, the taste was exquisite!
...
"Nice, the vegetables, meat, and eggs are perfectly blended."
"And the special sauce and salad with fresh vegetables make this hearty okonomiyaki taste unique!"
Leonora praised while finishing the okonomiyaki.
"Alice, I just arrived at the tavern, and you're already here?"
Alice, seeing Leonora suddenly appear, asked with some annoyance.
"Alice, you're starting your internship at the tavern, right?"
"So, as your mother, I must come to check on you!"
Leonora said, looking at her daughter with a smile.
----------
For 10 advance chapters: patreon.com/angelictranslating