In the world of cooking, every ingredient has its own unique story and culinary philosophy.
Sardines, a type of marine fish, are known for their delicious meat. However, during transportation, sardines can easily die from lack of oxygen due to overcrowding. To prevent this, people put a catfish among them to stimulate their activity, which is known as the "Catfish Effect." While the validity of this effect is debatable, the deliciousness of sardines is undeniable.
But is this "Catfish Effect" believable or not?
Hmm!
We cannot deny that sardines, belonging to the Clupeidae family, have particularly delicious meat!
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"Are both sides ready?"
"Then I now declare the first match of this Team Shokugeki officially begun. The theme for this match is sardines, and you have one hour to complete your dishes."
With the announcement from the host, Urara Kawashima, the culinary showdown themed around sardines officially started. Alice and Eizan quickly got into the intense cooking process.
Every move they made showed their strong desire to win.
There are many ways to prepare fish, developed over thousands of years. Fresh fish, if not handled properly, can easily spoil, so people have come up with various preservation methods, such as soaking the fish in vinegar, salt, soy sauce, or miso. Another method is to dry the fish, turning it into dried fish.
"Let's begin my performance!"
Alice took a deep breath, calming her nerves as she prepared to cook. She quickly grabbed a still-live sardine, and with a swift motion, she beheaded it with a knife. She then scaled the fish, gutted it, and washed it clean before patting it dry.
Alice, known for her molecular gastronomy skills, had limited experience with traditional cooking techniques. However, her current display of skill surprised everyone present.
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"Miss," Hisako said, astonished, "I didn't know Alice could handle a knife so well. Why is she so skilled at preparing sardines now? Her speed and precision are remarkable!"
Erina, equally surprised, replied, "I didn't expect this either. Maybe she learned a lot from Zane at the tavern? Look at how quickly she handles the sardine; even I can barely keep up with her knife movements. The sardine doesn't seem to react, as if it feels no pain."
As the preparation finished, the sardine fillets on the cutting board glistened under the light, giving off a faint glow.
Then, something astonishing happened. The freshly cut sardine meat began to twitch slightly. It seemed that Alice's knife skills were so fast that the fish only reacted afterward, leaving the audience in awe.
…
Ignoring the surprised looks from others, Alice continued working. She inserted her fingers between the fish's bones and flesh, using her thumbs to spread the fish open. She then grabbed the backbone with her right hand and pulled it out from head to tail in one smooth motion, removing the bones completely.
Alice then finely chopped the fish meat.
"Hmm? This style doesn't seem like Alice's," Eishi, who had studied the first-year students extensively, was surprised. He quickly turned his attention to Eizan, who was preparing sardine sushi.
"Sushi? With sardines?" Eishi blinked, realizing the choice. Fresh sardines, whether eaten raw or grilled, are delicious but hard to keep fresh. Few restaurants serve them, and they're rare in traditional Japanese cuisine focused on pure flavors. Yet, Eizan chose to make sardine sushi, showcasing his skill as a member of the Elite Ten.
…
Time passed quickly. Alice's dish was nearing completion. She heated oil in a pan, placed the ingredients inside, and fried them until golden brown. Then, she covered the pan and simmered for three minutes. Her dish, a sardine burger, featured a patty made from finely chopped sardine meat. The fish was tender and elastic, with its juices locked in during the frying process. The golden, crispy crust contrasted with the juicy interior, showing Alice's skillful control of the heat.
The burger was topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion, adding a refreshing touch. Overall, the sardine burger looked appealing, with a green sauce inside hinting at dill flavor. The burger seemed to bounce slightly, indicating a firm yet tender texture.
Alice had created a traditional burger with a touch of her molecular gastronomy flair, incorporating creative ideas into a familiar dish.
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"My dish is ready," Alice announced, presenting her sardine burger. "So, where are the judges for this Team Shokugeki?"
Her voice was confident, and her eyes shone with anticipation. She knew this was more than just a competition; it was a chance to showcase her culinary talent.
Seeing Alice finish her dish, Urara quickly took the stage, announcing, "Now, we enter the judging phase. Please welcome the judges: Instoval, Charme, and Lantabi!"
"Wow, aren't these the executives from the WGO?" Erina exclaimed in disbelief.
…
The WGO (World Gourmet Organization) is a prestigious culinary institution that commands respect from chefs worldwide. That these officials were judging the Team Shokugeki's advancement exam was unexpected, even for Erina.
Suddenly, the lively atmosphere of the competition turned quiet. Everyone held their breath, watching the judges silently.
"A sardine burger?" Charme, the gentlemanly judge, was skeptical, saying, "I expected something noteworthy from Totsuki post-reform in this Team Shokugeki. But... maybe we overestimated them."
Reluctantly, he picked up the burger, sniffed it, and was unexpectedly hit with a strong aroma of fish, catching him off guard and surprising him.
"This aroma..." He couldn't resist taking a bite.
The rich flavor spread through his mouth instantly, surpassing Charme's expectations. He paused, looking puzzled, then eagerly continued eating, savoring the taste.
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With each bite, the burger's flavor became more memorable. The bun was soft, the lettuce crisp, and the sardine patty juicy and flavorful. The unique design of the burger, with layers including yogurt and jam, made it unlike any traditional burger.
If ordinary roadside burgers are "industrial beer," then Alice's sardine burger is "craft beer." The distinctive taste of sardine, enhanced by fresh vegetables, lacked any fishy smell, replaced by an indescribable sweetness and freshness. By the end, Charme had unknowingly finished the entire burger.
…
The charred flavor of the bamboo charcoal bun, the juicy sardine patty, the fresh crunch of vegetables, the rich aroma of the special sauce, the faint dill flavor in the green sauce, and the crispy texture of the bun with the natural saltiness of sea salt—all these elements showcased Alice's meticulous design and pairing skills. This wasn't just a simple burger; it was an expression of her culinary philosophy.
"To make a good burger, the quality of the bun is crucial," Charme commented, intrigued. "A very soft bread affects the whole burger's taste. Can you tell me how you made the bread so soft?"
"It's simple," Alice smiled. "Just control the moisture, dough temperature, and mixing time."
"That's it?" Charme was surprised that the answer to such a seemingly complex question was so straightforward.
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"Yes, indeed, a rare burger!" Instoval praised, adding, "Besides the traditional sardine patty, there's butter, mustard, tomato, onion, lettuce, and pickles between the buns, making it a well-balanced meal."
Alice's dish, amidst exclamations, was finished by all three judges.
After a short wait, they finally tasted Eizan's dish: sardine sushi!
Japanese cuisine emphasizes freshness. Whether sashimi or sushi, ingredient freshness and temperature control are crucial for the best taste. The world is full of fish. So, which fish is both delicious and valuable?
Many people avoid fish with a "fishy" smell, considering it a sign of staleness. However, this unique scent often represents the freshness of the sea, especially for sardines.
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Eizan's sardine sushi lay quietly on an exquisite porcelain plate, with the pink of the fish contrasting beautifully with the ivory white rice, creating a visually appealing dish. The fish, perfectly placed on the rice, highlighted the fresh flavor of sardines while maintaining the lightness of sushi.
The fish's tenderness, the rice's softness, the wasabi's spice, and the soy sauce's saltiness created a harmonious flavor profile.
Charme, taking a small bite, found it melting in his mouth. The unexpected taste was captivating, despite being slightly mild. The texture was tender, the balance of oils perfect, and the sardine meat incredibly fresh without any connective tissue, indicating Eizan's excellent handling and cooking skills.
…
Though both dishes used sardines, one was a burger, and the other was sushi. The sushi offered a subtle, nuanced taste, while the burger had a smooth appearance. Both dishes, featuring sardines, were impressive.
"Let's announce the results," Charme said after a brief discussion with the other judges. The result of the Team Shokugeki was:
2:1
Alice narrowly defeated Eizan!
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