Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe

Chapter 475 387: Hand-Washed Dough—A Mind-Blowing Technique

"This process is called dough washing."

Lucas explains to everyone while filming Zhao Shun's actions.

"You three should know the ingredients of the dough better than I do. I can't explain the specific principles, but I trust you can figure it out."

"The purpose of this is to wash out the starch from the dough, leaving the impurities in it, similar to manual filtering."

Marchello and Raphael nod thoughtfully, a hint of realization in their eyes.

"You mean, the starch noodles are made from the washed starch water?"

"Exactly, that's it!"

"Then how do you control the water and starch ratio?"

"Uh... even if you ask me that, I don't know~"

"Sedimentation."

Lin Chen aptly chimed in.

"The washed starch water needs to be left standing for a few hours to let the starch settle, the clear water floats on top, and then you pour off the surface water, leaving the starch paste used for making cold skin noodles."

"But making cold skin noodles using this ancient method requires stringent chef experience, as the remaining amount of water is entirely judged by experience."

"If there's too much water, the resulting cold skin noodles collapse easily, like a paste."

"If there's too little water, the cold skin noodles won't be thin enough, and the texture won't be stretchy enough."

As he explained, Zhao Shun had almost finished kneading, reducing the originally palm-sized smooth dough to the size of a fist, with a pitted and rather unsightly surface.

He casually placed the dough into a small basin beside him, then quickly turned around, ran into the kitchen, and brought out a steamer, placing the dough inside to start heating.

"Hmm?"

"Is there still use for this dough?"

Marchello thought he had understood the method, only to have his notions shattered by a simple move.

"The remainder should be gluten or something, right? Can it be cooked into a dish?"

"Of course!"

Lucas pointed to chunks that looked like frozen tofu inside the cold skin noodles, "Isn't that it?"

"What!?"

"You said this is gluten? I thought it was some kind of soy product!"

"You can just steam it directly?"

The peculiar preparation process greatly amazed the three, its impact felt stronger than that of creating new dishes from typical ingredients.

Dough, this thing that had been played out long ago, shouldn't yield any new techniques unknown to them.

Yet the reality was evident; the Great Xia People indeed created new wonders with dough, an undeniable ironclad proof.

Equivalent to completely defeating them in the field Westerners excel in, the deep sense of frustration not only failed to crush Raphael and Marchello but sparked their intense competitiveness.

The ingrained notion that dough shouldn't touch water utterly crumbled at this moment, nearly shattering the little remaining cognitive barriers within them.

It even sparked an urge to break all kinds of restrictive frameworks and try everything out.

Zhao Shun returned the remaining starch water in the basin to the kitchen, requiring at least two hours to settle, about four hours until entirely rested.

After all the kneading, discarding it would be a waste; it can be used as batter or thickening sauce.

"Old Chen, keep an eye on the gluten, I need to return to make dessert, and then by the way, roast some gluten; the timing should be just right."

"Okay~"

The three had been busy for over two hours, making only cold and hot dishes, with no sweet foods, let alone desserts.

Making egg tarts requires preparing puff pastry, which is quite complicated, involving three freezes and folds before becoming the common pastry.

The entire process takes at least an hour, especially in summer when dough melts quickly, further extending the freezing time.

Other prepared snacks could be made anytime, as the dough had satisfactorily fermented, but he still felt the first dessert should be the egg tart.

This item impresses most on the first bite to those who have never tried it.

If one tries another snack first, it might diminish the anticipated excitement for Great Xia desserts, raising the threshold but not worth the loss.

As the atmosphere in the restaurant heated up, Sergy, with half a cold pizza in his mouth, stared at the bright red words floating on the screen in front of him, casually tossing the joystick onto the sofa, subconsciously glanced out the window.

What was once a bright sky had somehow turned gloomy, with only a faint pink twilight left at the horizon.

Checking the time, his eyes bore an increased look of confusion.

"Strange, it's nearly eight, why hasn't Su returned yet? She seems to have been out longer recently?"

Thinking carefully, it seemed true; she used to return to make him lunch and dinner, later it gradually turned into ordering takeaway, and now she completely doesn't come back for meals, leaving him alone at home.

If it were just for a day or two, he wouldn't mind, but now this situation is truly bizarre!

The strangest part, he even met those neighbor housewives when going out these days.

Upon seeing him, they would turn and leave without any intention of conversing.

Thinking further, things seemed off, and an audacious thought suddenly surfaced in Sergy's mind.

Could it be... Su is dating another man behind his back?

This notion, once emerged, rooted deeply in his mind like a seed, utterly impossible to eradicate.

"No way, I definitely have to find out who that damned person is!"

No longer caring about gaming, he switched off the TV screen, smoothed his messy hair with some water, and got ready to go out wearing a vest.

He had just placed his hand on the doorknob when he abruptly paused.

He realized one thing.

He has no idea where Su might be right now!

Without a target, how can I find someone?

This abnormal behavior will only make Su become alert!

The next time I try to follow her, the difficulty will skyrocket.

Thinking this, the hand that was clenched slowly relaxed.

"Forget it, can't rush it. Let's wait for her to come back today and talk about it tomorrow. Make sure to get up early and follow her!"

...

Meanwhile.

Inside the police station.

Turion is assigning the patrol tasks for tomorrow to the team members.

"The usual rule, draw lots."

He reaches into the drawer and grabs a transparent plastic bag, shakes the folded slips inside a few times, and then casually dumps them onto the table.

This scene repeats every week, not just for him, everyone present has long been accustomed to it.

But today, no one is reaching out to draw.

Turion looks up in confusion, and surprisingly sees obvious hesitation and anxiety on the faces of these guys, and even a hint of well-hidden anticipation.

What's going on?

He's a bit baffled.

They aren't rookies; the one with the shortest tenure here has been working for over a year. Everyone should have walked the entire zone by now, and couldn't possibly get lost with their eyes closed.

Even so, what's there to...

Wait!

Something isn't right!

A flash of insight hits him, and he seems to realize something.

If there is any variable, it would only be the task assigned this morning, right?

But he clearly took only three people with him, so what's the situation with the rest of these punks?

His gaze sweeps over three faces among them, and he secretly lets out a cold laugh.

So you like to gossip, huh?

Fine, it's not like he's the one losing out anyway.

As long as he wants, he can go patrol near the restaurant every day, even to set up a temporary post there wouldn't be a problem.

But these guys...

Ha, isn't it getting interesting?

He's too lazy to play charades with them, he directly exposes their little thoughts.

"I say, you old folks, if I remember correctly, few of you have a liking for Asian food, right? At most you'd buy some Thai fried rice."

"So, what's the sudden interest?"

The officers exchange glances, then chuckle.

"Heard the grilled oysters are really good, one bite and you'll remember it for life."

"Yeah, yeah, we heard a lot of people talking about it while on patrol today, it's normal to want to try it out, right?"

"Then draw lots, why hesitate?"

Turion points at the slips scattered on the table: "It's a matter of chance, do you want to draw them yourselves or should I do it for you?"

"We'll draw ourselves!"

"No, no, boss, your luck is notoriously bad, like a pile of dog shit, don't you realize?"

As soon as the words fall, the officers quickly reach out in a panic, scrambling to divide up the slips on the table.

"Not me, dammit!"

"Not me either."

"Ah, damn it!!"

"Who got it?"

Everyone looks at each other, and finally realize that no one has raised their hand.

At this point, they become aware of a very serious problem.

Today is Sunday, it was a fluke the person set up a stall by the seaside pier, probably for an event.

Normally the person sets up at his own restaurant.

But Redison Restaurant doesn't fall within their jurisdiction, instead, it's right at the edge of the neighboring district.

"Done drawing? Then what are you standing around for? Night patrol set out, night guards stay back, the rest disperse!"

Turion lets out a cold laugh, waves his hand and walks out the door without looking back.

Although the Redison area isn't their territory, it's indeed a special zone, the specifics of how this came to be he doesn't know, he only knows the security there is handled by their own security department.

If help is needed, you can always apply for assistance from the police stations in both neighboring districts.

But normally, no senseless idiot would provoke such an international financial group, not knowing how they might end up dead.

Although they can't actively send people for patrols there, as the chief, he's obliged to maintain good relations with the surroundings, especially since the boss behind the scenes is an international friend and businessman, and almost suffered harm once within his jurisdiction.

Rationally and emotionally, it's quite reasonable for him to show extra care, right?

Thinking of the juicy explosive taste of the oyster he tried this afternoon, with the surface covered in delicious garlic sauce, he involuntarily swallows.

"I heard only hotel guests can dine at that restaurant. If I go, I wonder if they'd sell me some to taste because of my uniform?"