Apocalypse Foodie System: Watch Her Cook!-Chapter 164 - 159: In a Flurry

Zhang Xue quickly sliced the carrots, and Tang Yiyi glanced over, discovering that the carrot slices were both fine and uniform, each strand was exactly the same thickness, even to a precision of 1 millimeter—truly worthy of a Superpower User.

Slicing carrots is actually quite challenging. The carrot is crisp and hard, and without sufficient strength or a sharp knife, even slicing can be awkward, let alone julienning. So for ordinary people who want to become chefs, mastering knife skills alone requires years of practice without slacking. Zhang Xue is a Wood Ability User, familiar with plants naturally, and her body has been strengthened by her ability, so her strength is relatively greater than ordinary people, making julienning carrots a breeze.

However, knife skills are just one standard for evaluating a chef, the key is to consider timing and taste.

Tang Yiyi thought Zhang Xue was quite clever, feeling quite reassured with such an "apprentice." After inspecting the carrot slices, she said, "Your knife skills are acceptable. Here’s the plan: after you finish your tasks, come to the kitchen to help. Observe me when I’m cooking, and practice knife skills and plating. First observe for a few days, and when you think you’re ready, practice by my side. How does that sound?"

Tang Yiyi had never been a teacher before and didn’t know how other chefs teach apprentices. She could only explore on her own, encouraging Zhang Xue to ask if she didn’t understand something.

Zhang Xue was indeed smart. When Tang Yiyi cooked, she watched attentively, memorizing each step. Although Tang Yiyi managed six pots at once with swift speed, it inevitably left people dazzled.

After 8 o’clock, the Tang Family’s business gradually quieted down. Tang Yiyi then let Zhang Xue pick a few dishes to practice on by herself. No one would help with this practice, and she had to handle the ingredients and plating herself.

However, Zhang Xue wasn’t one to fuss over this. She genuinely wanted to learn culinary skills; where would she find time to slack? Handling ingredients and plating are skills every chef should possess. If Tang Yiyi didn’t let her do it herself, she’d be anxious.

While she was busy, Tang Yiyi went to the workroom next door, taking out the Red Fire Scorpion and Blue Scale Grass she had prepared that afternoon and began further processing. She wasn’t intentionally avoiding Zhang Xue, but both the Red Fire Scorpion and Blue Scale Grass emitted an unpleasant odor; once brought out, it would contaminate the other ingredients in the kitchen, even affecting Zhang Xue’s practice dishes! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Since it was her first time processing Red Fire Scorpions, to be safe, she only took out four pounds of First Level Scorpion Meat. The scorpion meat was deep red with unique patterns; ignoring its heavy fishy smell, its appearance was quite promising.

Tang Yiyi cut the scorpion meat into 5-millimeter thick slices, sliced the Blue Scale Grass into strips the size of a little finger, placed them together in a basin, then followed the method in the system, using her hand strength to knead. As her fingers kneaded, the flavors of the Blue Scale Grass and Red Fire Scorpion gradually melded, the unpleasant fishy odor weakened, finally disappearing, leaving just a slight fishy trace.

But this is normal; after all, it’s raw meat. If it had no fishy smell, it would be odd.

Tang Yiyi purified the air and headed directly to the main kitchen with the basin. Zhang Xue was still chopping vegetables; hearing the door open, she couldn’t help but glance back. Seeing the basin in her hand, she was noticeably surprised.

Actually, Zhang Xue knew what Tang Yiyi was doing in the workroom. Having spent so long at the Tang Family and eaten so much Mutated Beast Meat, she already knew what she needed to know. She understood Tang Yiyi was in the workroom processing Mutated Beast Meat, so she wasn’t shocked or resentful.

She herself was a Superpower User, knowing very well how precious the method of making poisonous Mutated Beast Meat edible was! So she didn’t feel at all that Tang Yiyi was wrong to keep it from others.

But she hadn’t expected Tang Yiyi to simply bring the basin out directly. As a Superpower User with senses sharper than a normal person’s, Zhang Xue smelled the faint fishy scent the moment Tang Yiyi came out with the basin, realizing the meat inside wasn’t properly processed.

The implication being, Tang Yiyi was likely planning to continue processing it in the main kitchen!

After her initial shock, Zhang Xue felt a thrill of joy, but she thought carefully and still asked, "Yiyi, is there something you need?"

Tang Yiyi shook her head. "You’re my apprentice now; as your master, I can’t just ignore you and let you practice alone. So later, I’ll stay here and watch you to prevent any slip-ups."

Instantly, Zhang Xue understood Tang Yiyi’s underlying message. She wasn’t naive enough to think Tang Yiyi really came out just to prevent her from making mistakes; if that were the case, why bring out improperly processed Mutated Beast Meat?

Sometimes, it’s no fun to speak too plainly. So Zhang Xue wisely didn’t ask further, cheerfully responding before getting back to her tasks, not seizing the opportunity to watch how Tang Yiyi planned to handle the Mutated Beast Meat, essentially avoiding suspicion.

Tang Yiyi was quite satisfied with her awareness and didn’t specifically invite her to observe, instead focusing on her work. Though the fishy odor of the Red Fire Scorpion and Blue Scale Grass was resolved, they still needed marinating. She added salt and other seasonings, kneading with her strength for ten minutes, then set the basin aside, moving on to other ingredients.

The two occupied different corners of the kitchen, each busy with their own tasks, neither disturbing the other. Tang Yiyi’s actions were skilled and swift; soon she had prepared the ingredients, took out the cleaned wok, placed it on the stove, turned on the fire, and with a "boom," beautiful blue flames instantly appeared, licking the bottom of the pan as it heated, gradually evaporating residual moisture.

She poured in the oil, heated it, then added the spices. The oil temperature rose gradually, and the aroma steadily spread and intensified. Meanwhile, Zhang Xue finished preparing her ingredients and was ready to cook. She first attempted a dish of stir-fried tomato and egg; she had made it before but without mastering the method, resulting in mediocre flavor. After observing Tang Yiyi’s entire cooking process, she felt confident.

Zhang Xue fried the eggs in an orderly manner, hearing a "sizzle," and turned her head to see Tang Yiyi already sautéing the marinated meat slices, flipping them in the wok.

Once the meat slices were heated, the faint fishy smell was gone, replaced by an enticing meat aroma that made one’s mouth water.

Unable to resist, Zhang Xue inhaled sharply, then snapped back to focus on her pan, not daring to let her attention wander. Realizing her distraction, she noticed the eggs in the pan were overcooked and hastily served them out.

Tang Yiyi was busy cooking the scorpion meat and didn’t notice her small blunder. She intended to braise this time, and after sautéing sufficiently, poured in the prepared broth, covering the pot to stew. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)