In an extremely luxurious kitchen.
Leonora Nakiri was squatting in front of an oven, watching a large piece of elk meat tied tightly with cotton strings, dripping with crispy, fragrant oil.
She checked the time. Seeing that the elk meat was almost done, she quickly sprinkled coarse sea salt on the skin side and roasted it over high heat for a few more minutes.
Then she carefully poured the meat juices into a small pot, mixed in some starch, red wine, pepper, and salt, and made a sauce which she drizzled over slices of crispy pork.
Finally, she paired it with caramelized golden baby potatoes and a beetroot salad, accompanied by warm mulled wine and almond rice pudding.
Thus, a dish representing the flavors of Nordic cuisine, roasted elk meat, was completed.
…
Each country in Scandinavia has its own unique food specialties.
Especially in the northern parts of Scandinavia, where the long summer nights and the abundance of game in winter include elk, bears, wolves, lynx, musk deer, cows, and wild boar.
Therefore, the northern regions of Scandinavia have many animals available for hunting!
In general,
In Nordic countries,
You can often find fresh seasonal game in the freezers of organic supermarkets.
Boxes of rabbit meat, venison, bear meat, and even the exotic whale meat and fermented shark meat from Norway and Iceland are all neatly displayed, waiting for customers to take them home.
"Hm? It still has a gamey taste?"
"It seems my method of handling the elk meat isn't good enough!"
At this moment, after tasting a small piece of roasted elk meat, Leonora Nakiri frowned deeply.
She spat out the elk meat, clearly disappointed.
…
Leonora Nakiri was the head of Totsuki Academy's Nakiri International Research Department.
She had been living in the Nordic region for a long time, staying in her research lab there. Her job was to use the latest science to create new culinary delights and molecular gastronomy!
As the saying goes, like mother, like daughter.
Leonora's cooking skills, much like Alice's, were based on high-tech, chemical, and physical knowledge of molecular cuisine.
But in certain areas,
Especially in the niche field of Nordic cuisine, she also had a high level of expertise.
Deer!
Every part is valuable.
Many parts of the deer can be used as medicinal ingredients, like deer antlers.
In many high-end pet foods, venison, venison powder, and organs are important components of both dry and wet pet food.
As a result, the limited supply, inconsistent quality, and lagging processing technology of venison make it difficult for people to have a good consumption experience. Additionally, compared to pork and beef, venison is more expensive, so people tend to choose more common, affordable meats with versatile cooking methods.
But in daily life, that doesn't mean people don't eat venison.
However, when preparing venison, strong-flavored spices and seasonings are necessary to mask the gamey taste.
Without these seasonings, venison tastes quite raw and unpalatable.
…
"Mom, what are you doing in the kitchen?"
At that moment, Alice Nakiri, having skipped class, came home and saw her mother. She threw herself into her mother's arms, smiling and asking.
"Alice, you scared me coming up from behind like that!"
Leonora's expression changed as Alice hugged her from behind.
Seeing her daughter, she breathed a sigh of relief, "Alice, the school festival just ended, don't you want to go back to class?"
"Mom, the instructor was suddenly changed."
Alice stepped back from Leonora's embrace and replied casually.
"Changed?"
Leonora looked puzzled.
She had heard about the recent happenings at Totsuki Academy, but as an outsider, she couldn't say much.
After all, this upheaval was a matter for the Nakiri family.
Moreover, even the former Director Senzaemon Nakiri had not made any moves after being ousted by the Ten Masters, and he had not shown any resistance.
…
"Mom, ever since Uncle Azami became the new Director, he has sped up reforms at Totsuki."
"He first abolished all cooking courses, research societies, clubs, and labs, then established a new organization called the Central Gourmet Institute!"
"I went to class today and found out that the instructor had been replaced by Saito Somei, the fifth seat of the Ten Masters."
"While it's a rare opportunity for first-year students like us to see and learn from the Ten Masters, it also needs to be tailored to each student's strengths!"
"I excel in molecular gastronomy, but Saito Somei specializes in traditional Japanese sushi and ramen."
"In class, he gave us a new recipe for Pacific saury sushi and explained various sushi techniques. While other students found it fascinating, it made me drowsy!"
"What he taught had nothing to do with my molecular cooking approach."
"So…"
"I found it boring and skipped class early."
"Fortunately, Saito Somei was lenient and didn't give me a failing grade."
…
Listening to Alice, Leonora fell silent.
Letting the Ten Masters replace the instructors and teach their skills to the first and second-year students seemed strange.
Additionally, research societies.
Their purpose was to gather people with similar interests to study and master their favorite, specialized subjects.
However, Azami Nakiri abolished this.
"Does he want to establish a dictatorship, turning Totsuki Academy into his personal culinary empire?"
Leonora murmured to herself.
…
Clearly,
In Leonora's view,
Azami Nakiri's reforms had two main points:
First, distinguishing true geniuses from ordinary students, allowing only those he deemed geniuses to innovate and establish the "Central Gourmet Institute," banning ordinary students from innovating.
Second, changing the teaching model to ensure everyone strictly follows the recipes set by the geniuses, banning independent learning and research.
Yes!
Ultimately,
This teaching model,
Is common in schools in some countries.
Calling it an elitist education while completely dismissing commoner cuisine isn't entirely accurate.
Because Azami Nakiri came from Totsuki Academy, he saw the flaws of the "elitist education" system and was determined to reform it.
Meaning, what he most denied was not commoner cuisine but commoner chefs!
Under the previous system, most students at Totsuki were merely training partners for the elite, stepping stones for the strong, mere "pawns" to be discarded, following the law of the jungle.
Most students, no matter how hard they worked, faced only one outcome:
Expulsion!
Thus, so-called innovation,
For the mediocre, was a waste of resources.
Even if one or two mediocre students innovated delicious dishes, it was rare, and the efficiency was too low.
As Erina once criticized, many research societies spent a lot of resources and money but produced little result!
So, facing such challenges, Azami Nakiri standardized the teaching method.
Ensuring everyone learned the methods and concepts of top chefs, making it easier to improve the culinary skills of the majority.
Compared to the past,
Where the policy was to expel those who didn't meet standards, a pure elitist training plan.
Azami Nakiri's reforms were actually more beneficial to commoners!
He distinguished between elites and the mediocre, but he didn't abandon the mediocre.
When convincing the Ten Masters to support him, he said: "Create a world without useless competition, without discarded pieces."
"The idea is good."
"But this kind of reform also has its drawbacks!"
After thinking it over, Leonora could only sigh.
…
A city's bustle is not only at night but also in the morning.
The entire commercial street woke up under the sunlight, as if witnessing the city awakening.
Some shops opened early, welcoming the early risers. The steaming breakfast shops, the fresh and vibrant flower shops, various businesses started their day in the morning light.
Pedestrians increased, either rushing to their destinations or leisurely strolling.
Even the street was busy with vehicles, horns blaring and engines roaring.
However, all this didn't dampen the bustling and lively atmosphere of the commercial street!
…
Walking along the street, Erina seemed quite interested.
Today, she wore her usual stylish Totsuki blue and white uniform, with delicate lace accentuating her fair legs, and her elegant figure fully outlined.
Her golden hair naturally draped over her shoulders, brushing her ears, adding a touch of cuteness!
It was clear.
Although not dressed up deliberately.
She exuded an air of nobility, looking incredibly beautiful!
In contrast, Zane's attire was more casual.
A clean white shirt, with only a few buttons loosely fastened, revealing his toned skin.
This look gave him a wild and unrestrained vibe.
Perhaps because it was rare for Erina to go shopping with Zane, she seemed very excited, looking at this shop and that, stopping to admire trinkets, clothes, manga books, and other things.
Maybe, it was just a girl's nature?
After all, shopping fulfilled her pursuit of "beauty," especially with so many beautiful clothes, hats, shoes, and more on the streets, attracting her attention!
…
"Zane, look, look."
"What do you think of this ring?"
At that moment, Erina, who had walked into a jewelry store, picked up a beautiful ring.
She blinked, her face filled with joy, and couldn't help but turn to Zane excitedly.
"What?"
"Want to wear a ring?"
Zane walked over slowly, glancing at the ring in Erina's hand, and couldn't help but smile mischievously.
"What?"
"No… not at all. How could I like such a thing?"
"I just learned from some pure-hearted manga that a ring symbolizes love and pure, sincere feelings between two people."
"If one person receives a ring from their partner and wears it, it means their relationship has entered a new phase."
"What phase?"
Z
ane asked knowingly.
"Oh, it's… it's the couple phase!"
Erina blushed.
…
"Do you want it?"
Zane looked deeply at Erina, barely suppressing his laughter, and asked.
"Of course I want… want… No, I mean, I want someone to give me a ring!"
Erina stammered.
"Alright."
"I'll buy it for you."
"Huh?"
Erina looked at Zane in disbelief.
"I said I'll do it."
With that, Zane paid for the ring and bought it!
…
"Here, let me put this ring on you."
Then, Zane took the ring and placed it on Erina's finger.
Upon closer inspection, the ring seemed like a sleeping star, waiting to be awakened.
The main body was made of pure platinum, with a soft and warm luster, as if it held endless years and stories.
On the surface, a crystal-clear diamond was embedded, sparkling like morning dew. The exquisite cut captured light perfectly, making it shine from every angle.
The edge design was very delicate.
The lines were smooth and elegant, like a dancer gracefully moving.
The inner ring was polished smooth like a mirror, fitting the curve of the finger comfortably and securely.
"Erina, let me tell you something about rings."
"Rings are usually worn on the left hand's ring finger, which is said to be closest to the heart."
"Legend has it that a vein from the heart runs through the ring finger, so wearing a ring there sends your feelings directly to the heart, conveying deep love!"
Zane explained.
"Huh?"
"Love?"
Erina's face turned even redder!
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