After leisurely finishing her breakfast, Maria returned to the kitchen, which had been cleaned up, and left only with Chef Bob and a few kitchen assistants.
Outside the kitchen, there were many hanging cured meats and sausages, likely made from the wild boar they hunted yesterday. Remembering their taste, Maria silently turned away.
Having received instructions from the butler, Bob showed Maria all the ingredients and seasonings available in the kitchen.
It had to be said that the ingredients at this time were not as scarce as Maria had imagined. The kitchen had dairy products like eggs, milk, cheese, and butter, the vegetables were the same as those seen on the table last night, and the fruits mainly included apples, pears, lemons, and some wild berries, though the berries were a mix of different kinds and not in large quantities, reportedly leftover from previous jam making.
In addition to the wild boar meat, there were also cured lamb and pork hanging in the kitchen's ventilated area. Whether it was due to being hung for too long or some other reason, these cured meats had developed a layer of mold and gave off a stale odor.
However, when Maria entered the kitchen this time, she noticed a few live chickens in cages near the entrance, and there were also several fish in the kitchen's wooden barrel, seemingly just delivered.
The bread was made in the castle's bakery, so there were only small amounts of flour in the kitchen, but there were plenty of whole grains like barley, wheat, oats, rye, and legumes.
The spices were plentiful, with local herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, and fennel, as well as imported spices like black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, though these were in limited quantities, and Bob handled them with great care, fearing they might spill.
In addition, Maria also noticed a few jars of jam, a pot of wild honey, and many types of dried mushrooms.
To be honest, there are still many types of food available at this time, but ordinary people can only eat a few of them. Only nobles can enjoy all the luxuries.
Thinking of this, Maria felt that she had to maintain her status as a noble daughter. If she became a commoner, she would not only have to face all kinds of persecution and be unable to protect herself, but she might not be able to enjoy many things.
"Don't worry, I will help you complete your identity setting. There will be no mistakes," said the system in Maria's mind. It took all the energy it had reclaimed from Maria and focused it on resolving the identity issue before it departed.
Seeing its responsible attitude, Maria decided to trust it once more.
Returning her attention to the kitchen, she asked the chef if there were any food preferences or aversions for the Duke's family.
The chef replied, "The Duke likes meat and dislikes vegetables. Miss Eleanor does not like strong-flavored vegetables such as carrots and onions. She also dislikes celery and cilantro."
"And Miss Lola?" Maria inquired.
"Miss Lola is still very young and is currently only drinking milk."
Maria frowned. If she remembered correctly, Miss Lola was already over a year old, almost two. Was her nutrition adequate if she was still only drinking milk?
Her gaze shifted to the pile of flour. The flour had been sifted many times, but there were still traces of bran mixed in, so it was not as white as modern flour and would be less refined in texture.
"Do you know noodles? Can you help me knead the dough?"
The people in the kitchen looked puzzled, as if they didn't understand what she was talking about.
The world Maria was in now was similar to but also quite different from the late 15th to early 16th century of her original world. After the separation of Asia and Europe, the geography and climate of Europe were significantly different from Earth, and history diverged drastically. The Roman Empire fell earlier, and in this world, the Moors had been expelled by the early 14th century. What was once Spain is now called Iberia in this world.
The countries that emerged afterward included both those that existed on Earth and some that did not. Many historical figures did not appear here, replaced by others with different names.
In this context, Maria's already limited historical knowledge seemed even more useless.
They don't know noodles, Maria had to do it herself. She had Lucia find an apron for her and tie up her troublesome sleeves, preparing to get to work.
Considering her limited ability to do everything on her own, Maria took charge of the kitchen staff. The long table in the kitchen was moved outside for cleaning. The oil stains and filth on its surface were scrubbed away with various tools by the kitchen helpers, and the table was cleaned thoroughly several times until it met Maria's hygiene standards.
Everyone was instructed to wash their hands, trim long nails, and ensure there was no dirt in any crevices. Although some were not pleased, including Chef Bob, they dared not show their objections and obediently cleaned their hands.
Then, Maria poured flour onto the cleaned and dried table, mixed in eggs, and began kneading the dough. Maria had not spent much time in the kitchen before and had usually relied on takeout, so this was her first time kneading dough.
However, when she started, there was no sign of accidents. She controlled the amount of egg liquid and water perfectly, and soon a light yellow dough took shape in her hands, impressing the nearby helpers who thought she was even more skilled than a bakery's dough-maker.
Of course, they were not merely watching; as Maria kneaded a dough ball slightly larger than a fist, she had them do the same and also sent someone to fetch rolling pins from the bakery.
The kitchen staff, used to heavy work, found kneading dough easy. With Maria's guidance, all their doughs turned out quite well.
The kneaded dough needed to rest. Without plastic wrap, it was covered with a clean cloth and set aside to sit for a while.
During this time, she could have the helpers prepare other dishes.
Bob told Maria that a noble's meal had to meet a certain quantity requirement, with at least six dishes.
After checking the kitchen's stock, Maria decided on the following menu: egg and bacon sandwiches, creamy bacon pasta, creamy mushroom soup, roasted wild boar, garlic honey pan-seared chicken breast, vegetable salad, and fruit soup.
This combination was rather mismatched, but as long as she met the six-dish requirement, it was sufficient.
In the past, Maria would have been clueless in the kitchen, knowing only how to eat. But now, whenever she saw ingredients, countless recipes would naturally pop into her mind, and she could cook like a true chef.
Roasting, stewing, and baking were common cooking methods at that time, and the variety of dishes was limited. Bob had never heard of the dishes Maria proposed, but that didn't stop him from eagerly assisting, hoping to learn some tricks.
He wasn't the only one with this thought. The chubby Bob kept a stern eye on the other helpers as they prepared their tasks, though their attention kept drifting towards Maria.
If it weren't for Maria's presence, he would have chased them all out.
Maria generously allowed them to watch and even let them handle the ingredient preparation, stepping in only after everything was ready.