Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 986 - 483: Zhao Cheng’an’s Lesson_3

"That's the Jiangnan Pastry Master, the one from the Gusu State-owned Restaurant, Master Jing. He used to be an Imperial Chef, and making delicate snacks like dumplings is his specialty."

"Back then, the lessons were taught right inside the Taifeng Building. I'd watch the fun from the sidelines, and the master wouldn't mind me because I was known as the fool of the Taifeng Building. I was really just there for the fun."

"If you ask me to make something, I'm not that great. But when it comes to teaching and theoretical knowledge, I have a ready-made template." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

At this moment, Qin Huai truly realized the value of Zhao Cheng'an's first-hand knowledge. Being a fool has its perks. The fool could watch and learn without anyone minding, and given how Zhao Cheng'an liked to watch the fun in his previous life, how many amazing things must those eyes have seen?

"So do you know how to solve my kind of problem?" Qin Huai humbly asked the experienced Master Zhao for advice.

"Hold on, let me think." Zhao Cheng'an pondered for a moment, picked up the already cold banana dumpling, and inspected it repeatedly. "When making banana dumplings, did you encounter significant issues with shaping? Kneading the dough too hard severely affects the texture, making it only presentable but inedible. Kneading too softly makes it difficult to keep the banana shape, and the steamed dumpling can't stand up on the table, easily deforming."

"This dilemma makes you confused. You think the problem lies in the dough, but you don't know what kind of dough meets the standards."

Qin Huai nodded vigorously, showing that Master Zhao indeed had some insights and was well-equipped with theoretical knowledge.

"The dough certainly has issues, but have you considered there might also be a problem with the fire control?" Zhao Cheng'an said, "Dumpling is a comprehensive snack, comprehensive in a way that requires high skill from the chef in every aspect."

"Kneading, fire control, filling adjustment, finger skill, aesthetics, concepts, creativity—only a true hexagonal warrior can make beautiful dumplings. When you feel there are problems making dumplings but can't explain them clearly, it means the issue is not one-sided, but caused by multiple factors, so you can't analyze the reason immediately."

"Look at this banana dumpling..."

Master Zhao began his explanation.

Xiao Qin, the apprentice, was enlightened, even developing a somewhat disrespectful thought that Master Zhao might be more professional, more instructive, and more knowledgeable about dumplings than Master Zhou.

Qin Huai felt Zhao Cheng'an was not exaggerating. If he started a culinary training class, he'd surely have students all over the world.

With his eloquence, it's a pity he's not a master himself.

Zhao Cheng'an went on for over half an hour, analyzing both banana and orange dumplings with Qin Huai, who exclaimed that he learned a lot and truly understood now!

Then Qin Huai went straight to the kitchen to start making dumplings. For ingredients he didn't have, he called Tan Wei'an to slack off and deliver them.

During work, Tan Wei'an was very proactive about running errands. Qin Huai's call came, and when he arrived, Qin Huai was passionately kneading dough in the kitchen.

Tan Wei'an was confused and found two cheese sticks in the fridge to eat. Then he asked, "Isn't Qin Huai off work?"

"He's back to work. He loves to overwork." Zhao Cheng'an calmly replied, with a hint of resignation in his calmness.

It seemed subdued, but in reality, he had no other choice.

"I heard that today Qin Huai spent the whole day making dumplings, and the finished products were not great. Those dumplings are sold at a discount as apprentice practice pieces." Tan Wei'an eagerly gossiped.

Zhao Cheng'an pointed at the two dumplings on the table, "These are the ones Qin Huai made today."

Tan Wei'an clicked his tongue, "These are really ugly. Didn't Qin Huai know how to make dumplings? His apple dough balls turn out well; why is it that these other dumplings look so bad?"

Zhao Cheng'an didn't answer Tan Wei'an's question, but simply said, "Take a good look while you have the chance, they won't be around tomorrow."

Tan Wei'an: ?

"There won't be such ugly ones to see tomorrow."

Tan Wei'an: ??

Zhao Cheng'an watched Qin Huai kneading the dough with great enthusiasm, mumbling to himself, "Can't some of that enthusiasm rub off on me?"

"Really, can't it?"