In the winter or during times when one needs to nourish both body and mind, a bowl of steaming hot horse meat porridge can bring unparalleled warmth and satisfaction.
As you gently scoop up a spoonful, you'll see the surface of the porridge glistening with oil. The horse meat strands, distinct and intertwined with the soft and sticky rice grains, create an enticing visual.
Upon tasting it, the softness and warmth of the porridge come first, followed closely by the tender and flavorful horse meat. The combination is perfect, satisfying not only the taste buds but also bringing a comforting warmth to the body. The ginger in the porridge harmoniously balances the slight gaminess of the horse meat, making the overall taste more unified and pleasing.
...
"Hmm?"
Mana paused for a moment, then her gaze shifted to the third dish in the "Eight Dishes of Demon Subjugation"—**the lamb tripe flatbread**.
Taking a small bite, the crispy outer layer instantly shattered in her mouth, producing a delightful crunch, filling her mouth with a fragrant and light texture. The crispiness wasn't just dry and hard but had just the right amount of oiliness, making it unforgettable.
Next came the inner part of the flatbread. It was soft yet chewy, creating a sharp contrast with the crispy exterior while still blending together harmoniously, offering a unique texture.
Savoring it further, the aroma of the lamb tripe flatbread carried the earthy flavor of the flour, the rich scent of sesame seeds, and a subtle hint of spices. These flavors melded together, creating an indescribable and wonderful taste.
If the flatbread was stuffed with lamb tripe, the rich meatiness would permeate the bread, making the flavor even more robust and satisfying, each bite a deep temptation for the taste buds.
The filling is always the soul of a lamb tripe flatbread. Fresh lamb tripe, carefully prepared to remove any gaminess, retains its unique tenderness and chewiness. When paired with special seasonings like the sharpness of onions, ginger, and garlic, along with a dash of salt and pepper, the filling becomes even richer, combining the robust flavor of lamb tripe with a refreshing taste.
Each bite allowed the mouth to savor the rich juices slowly released from the lamb tripe.
...
Throughout history, flatbread has been an elegant presence on dining tables.
This food carries the breath of millennia and cultural charm, with a history that dates back to the Han and Tang dynasties, perhaps even further to ancient civilizations. It's not merely something to fill the stomach but contains deep historical and cultural significance. The stories, poetry, and songs behind flatbread add a unique cultural temperament to it.
Yes! The name "flatbread" first appeared in the *Book of the Later Han*, where "胡饼" (a kind of pastry from the Western Regions) was mentioned. After the Silk Road opened, this pastry made its way from the Western Regions to the Central Plains, earning its name because it was baked. By the Tang Dynasty, flatbread became famous due to a story involving Yang Guifei bestowing the name.
According to legend, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Guifei were traveling to Huaqing Palace when they encountered an old man selling flatbread. Yang Guifei was so impressed by the taste that she bestowed it with the name "Guifei Flatbread," a name that has been passed down through the ages.
In literature, flatbread is not just food; it symbolizes the warmth of home and the comfort of a journey. In Yuan Dynasty poet Ma Zhiyuan's *Autumn Thoughts*, the lines "An ancient road under a west wind and a thin horse, as the sun sets, a heartbroken traveler at the world's end," though not mentioning flatbread directly, evoke an image of a traveler on an old road, holding a warm flatbread that could perhaps ease their heartbreak.
...
"I can't... No..."
At that moment, as Mana consumed the horse meat porridge and lamb tripe flatbread, a small part of her rational mind struggled. Yet the overwhelming desire for food surged like a tidal wave, engulfing her completely.
"Ah!"
"Mmm... mmm..."
Mana devoured the food in large bites.
At that moment, it was as if the whole world had come to a standstill.
As the crumbs slid into her mouth, a strange glint flashed in Mana's eyes. Her thoughts began to blur, and all sense of reason and self-control seemed to be swept away like leaves in a storm, vanishing without a trace.
All that remained in her heart was an insatiable craving and dependence on the food, as if this single bite of deliciousness was the only thing in the world that could give her life meaning.
Driven by this urge, she ate more frantically, desperate to consume more.
The food seemed to have a magical power, gradually eroding her mind and turning her into a puppet driven only by the primal instinct to pursue food.
Clearly, behind this madness lay a deep warning:
When desires spiral out of control, even the most ordinary food can become a shackle that binds the soul.
...
"What?"
"Zane's cooking... can it really control Mana's mind?"
Seeing this, Leonora understood what was happening and was shocked.
"Gasp!"
"This food... truly is..."
Gin bit into the lamb tripe flatbread, and his clothes burst open.
Immediately, the dam of reason collapsed, replaced by a primal hunger and frenzy.
His eyes, once clear and bright, now burned red, like gems ignited by flames, revealing a fierce and uncontrollable desire.
Sweat dripped from his furrowed brow and onto his tightly clenched hands.
But he was oblivious, his focus entirely on the seemingly ordinary but irresistibly tempting food before him.
Slowly, his breathing grew heavy and labored.
Each breath seemed to build the energy for the impending act of devouring.
The noise around him faded away, and in Gin's world, there was only this overwhelming craving and the delicious food within his grasp.
His mouth trembled slightly, as if in a silent prayer, pleading for this food to fill the emptiness and hunger within.
Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer. He lunged forward, shoving the food into his mouth.
In that instant, all sense of reason and restraint vanished, leaving only pure indulgence and satisfaction.
This scene, had it not been witnessed firsthand, would seem wildly exaggerated.
But!
This was the reality.
Zane's "Eight Dishes of Demon Subjugation" could push someone to lose control in the face of delicious food, revealing an uncontrollable obsession and madness for the culinary experience!
...
Lastly, there was the **wine-marinated crucian carp with pork**.
The sweetness and slight intoxication of the wine perfectly blended with the freshness of the crucian carp. This not only removed the fishiness but also added a unique wine fragrance.
The crucian carp's meat was tender, melting in the mouth, with each bite providing pure delight to the taste buds.
The addition of pork brought a richer texture and flavor to the dish. The pork, carefully selected and cooked, retained its original meaty aroma and juiciness, which intertwined with the wine's fragrance, creating an indescribable flavor.
As the pork cooked, its fat slowly seeped out, infusing into every inch of the crucian carp's flesh, making the fish even more tender. It also added a rich and satisfying fat aroma to the dish.
The texture was outstanding. The tender, smooth fish contrasted with the pork's chewiness and juiciness, creating a multi-layered culinary experience.
Each bite allowed you to feel the interplay of fish and pork in your mouth—delicate, tender fish, and rich, juicy pork, complementing each other to create an unforgettable delicacy.
Additionally, various spices and seasonings might have been added during the cooking process, such as ginger slices, scallions, and chili peppers. These not only enhanced the dish's aroma and flavor but also added a touch of spice, making the dish even more complex and satisfying!
...
Mana's thoughts had become hazy.
Her mind was flooded with images connected to this dish:
Childhood laughter!
Family happiness!
The bitterness of failure!
The curse of the God Tongue!
These emotions and memories washed over her like a tide, leaving her overwhelmed.
She realized that this dish wasn't just satisfying her appetite—it was controlling her mind, immersing her in a world built from flavors.
Just then, the tavern's owner, a handsome man with a sunny demeanor, slowly approached.
He spoke softly: "Welcome to the tavern. Every dish here is a key to the heart, capable of unlocking your deepest emotions and desires."
"But remember, true freedom lies not in escape or indulgence, but in whether you can maintain yourself in the face of temptation."
Finally, Mana understood!
She struggled desperately, trying to break free from the dream woven by the food.
After much effort, she regained her consciousness, and the world around her slowly returned to normal.
"Heh!"
"Interesting."
"The power of food is indeed immense!"
...
When she first entered the world of Japanese cuisine, she had seen the term "kappo" on a business card. At first, she thought it was the name of a restaurant.
But as she saw the term more often, she realized it wasn't a restaurant name but a type of Japanese cuisine.
"Kappo" refers to the combination of cutting with a knife ("kappo") and cooking with fire ("kappo").
After finishing the "Eight Dishes of Demon Subjugation" and regaining her senses, Mana finally turned her attention to Asahi Saiba's sashimi dish. After some hesitation, she ate a slice
of sea bream sashimi.
However, as soon as she swallowed it, she felt a wave of nausea rise in her throat.
It was as if an invisible force was squeezing her esophagus, making her want to expel the food.
Then a strong urge to vomit overwhelmed her.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, her face flushed, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Mana instinctively covered her mouth with both hands, trying to suppress the force surging inside her, but she couldn't resist.
With a retching sound, a mixture of undigested sashimi and stomach acid spewed from her mouth.
At that moment, the room fell silent again!
All her discomfort seemed to vanish with the expulsion, but she was left feeling weak, her stomach churning with pain.
"How could this be?"
"My sashimi dish couldn't even win over the God Tongue?"
Seeing this, Asahi Saiba was utterly dumbfounded!
...
Under the spotlight, the atmosphere of this competition remained tense and full of anticipation.
Every choice of ingredients, every precise cut, carried the weight of Asahi Saiba's countless hours of sweat and dreams.
But for Asahi Saiba, this stage, which had once represented his dreams, had suddenly turned into a cold, harsh reality.
As Mana finished tasting all the dishes, time seemed to freeze in the air.
Asahi Saiba stood there, gripping his hands tightly, his nails digging into his palms, oblivious to the pain.
His eyes tracked every subtle expression on the judges' faces, searching for any hint of approval or encouragement, but what he found instead was contemplation and regret.
Finally, when Mana gently placed down her utensils, she announced the result.
...
"Zane, you have won!"
These words struck Asahi Saiba's heart like a sledgehammer, shattering all his hopes and confidence in an instant.
A profound sense of helplessness washed over him, making his legs tremble, barely able to support his body.
He tried to control his emotions, but the flood of defeat overwhelmed him, drowning him completely.
The cheers and congratulations around him felt distant and blurry, as if the entire world had shrunk to just him, standing alone in the shadow of failure.
Indeed!
Asahi Saiba possessed a powerful ability, the "Crossed Knives," which allowed him to absorb and fuse the skills and tools of other chefs.
But his cooking lacked his unique style and soul.
He relied too much on the abilities he had taken from others, neglecting the most critical aspect of cooking: personal expression.
This lack of personal style made it difficult for his dishes to stand out in high-level competitions.
As a chef, cooking is not just about skill; it's about conveying emotion.
Asahi Saiba's dishes lacked his personal emotions and stories, making them fall short in depth and impact.
In contrast, Zane could infuse his feelings into his dishes, creating a deeper connection with the diners.
Moreover, Asahi Saiba was obsessed with winning. He believed that defeating all his opponents would prove his strength.
However, this obsession sometimes made him impatient and reckless, causing him to overlook the essence of cooking and its details. In crucial moments, this mindset often led to mistakes or loss of composure.
Asahi Saiba also misunderstood what it meant to be victorious.
He thought that defeating all opponents would make him the strongest chef, but true strength is not just in skill but in love for cooking, respect for ingredients, and care for diners.
He misunderstood Joichiro's teachings and expectations, which led him to lose the proper mindset and judgment in his battle against Zane!