Chapter 716 - 548: Just in Case You Lose Control

Chapter 716: Chapter 548: Just in Case You Lose Control

After Huang Jun successfully completed the preparation of all the preceding dishes, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the meticulous preparation of the final showpiece dish—Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup.

Although the process of making this dish appears simple and straightforward on the surface, achieving both a delightful taste and visual artistry at such high standards is actually quite challenging.

The preparation of Boiled Cabbage not only tests a chef’s deep knowledge in crafting broths and seasoning but also demands an almost stringent mastery of carving skills.

If the flower carving is not delicate and elegant enough, the artistic expression of the entire dish will be greatly diminished.

After all.

Boiled Cabbage is by no means an ordinary dish; it resembles a fine piece of art.

When people savor this dish, they are more often appreciating its aesthetic value.

As the exquisitely crafted flower leisurely blooms on the clear soup surface, it seems to carry a kind of magic that can instantly soothe and relax the soul.

With such an experience as a foundation, the subsequent tasting of other dishes offers a unique sensation that is difficult to describe.

Yet, even while emphasizing its artistic value, the beauty of the broth in Boiled Cabbage is still unsurpassed by other dishes.

This dish is undoubtedly the pinnacle of a Sichuan chef’s skill and a splendid symbol of the culinary arts returning to their essence.

The seemingly water-clear soup paired with the plain cabbage actually embodies the chef’s endless pursuit of culinary excellence...

In the kitchen, a pot of crystal-clear broth was already prepared, the result of meticulous simmering yesterday and skillful filtration using chicken breast, its color sparklingly clear with a perfectly balanced flavor.

Because of this!

When he set about preparing this dish, he appeared extraordinarily relaxed and at ease.

All he needed to do was trim the cabbage, then slowly pour the warm chicken broth over it, and everything would be complete.

The whole process was extremely simple, requiring not even a single seasoning.

Because.

The preparation of this broth incorporates the essence of two chickens, two ducks, two hocks, and one Jinhua ham.

The natural saltiness of the Jinhua ham added enough savory flavor to the broth.

The whole duck imparts an enticing aroma to the base; the whole chicken enhances the broth’s umami; and the incorporation of the hock makes the broth even richer and more intense.

These ingredients interweave with the savory flavor of the Jinhua ham to jointly create a nearly perfect broth.

Now, with the clear broth in hand and the Napa cabbage ready, this dish is easier to prepare compared to a simple cold dish.

"Hello everyone, next we are going to present the final delicacy—Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup..."

Once Lv Pengfei adjusted the camera angle, Huang Jun picked up the prepared Napa cabbage, placed it on the cutting board, faced the camera, and gave a brief introduction.

Liu Shiwei, who initially felt somewhat regretful for not being able to taste Huang Jun’s prepared Nine-Turn Large Intestine and other seafood delicacies, was about to turn silently and leave this place full of temptations but also a bit disappointing. However, upon hearing Huang Jun’s words, he couldn’t help but stop in his tracks, feeling a hint of surprise in his heart.

Huh?

Could today be a feast day of culinary delights?

Why have all the encounters been with famous dishes?

First, the signature Shandong cuisine Nine-Turn Large Intestine, and now the classic Sichuan dish Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup.

Tsk, it really was the right choice to come tonight, such a treat!

His mood suddenly improved, and he found himself unable to leave, standing aside, focusing intently on watching.

What?

Even though I’m waiting here, I can’t eat immediately?

No problem!

I don’t seek to taste it first, but to catch the first glimpse of that wonderful aroma!

Huang Jun, at this moment, was busily peeling off the slightly rough outer leaves of the cabbage.

Seeing this, Liu Suyu stepped forward to assist, peeling off the old leaves by mimicking the action, while curiously asking, "Chef Huang, is this the right way?"

"Let me take a look..."

Huang Jun said as he leaned forward to carefully inspect Liu Suyu’s technique.

Indeed, Liu Suyu had done quite well!

Though still a bit inexperienced, there was already some semblance of skill.

However, he still smiled and pointed out areas for improvement: "Hmm, you’re doing quite well, but it could be refined a bit more."

As he spoke, he personally removed a few more leaves, demonstrating: "Like this, it can both remove the old leaves and retain the cabbage’s tenderness."

"I see, I understand now, thank you for the guidance, Chef Huang!" Liu Suyu said, a slight curve appearing at the corner of her mouth.

Once all the cabbage was properly handled...

Huang Jun picked up the kitchen knife and skillfully trimmed the roots of the cabbages one by one.

After completing this step, he rotated his wrist, and the kitchen knife drew a beautiful arc in the air as the Napa cabbage responded by being sliced in half smoothly, dividing into two, with a flat cross-section.

Then, he took out the lower half of the Napa cabbages, placing them one by one into boiling water with an appropriate amount of salt, blanching them.

This step was to make the cabbage softer, preparing it for the next refinements.

The blanching time must not be too long; when the outer cabbage leaves begin to turn slightly translucent, he swiftly fished them out of the boiling water with quick reflexes and immediately plunged them into cold water for cooling.

This not only cleverly preserved the cabbage’s crisp and refreshing texture, enhancing its flavor, but also effectively prevented the cabbage leaves from being overly softened by residual heat, ensuring the final product’s perfect texture.

When the cabbage cooled to a suitable temperature, Huang Jun took it out of the cold water, placing it on the cutting board, and said to Liu Suyu nearby, "Manager Liu, could you please hand me that pair of scissors?"