eurekapd Chapter 314 Part 2: Hot Dishes Arrive in Succession, Each with its Own Clever Intentions
Chapter 314 Part 2: Hot Dishes Arrive in Succession, Each with its Own Clever Intentions
These eight cold dishes alone were enough to delight all the guests present.
They were people who loved literature and painting, and naturally had a unique pursuit of beauty in their daily lives.
Who would have thought that they would be able to taste such a creatively brimming table of dishes today, each one as exquisite as a painting? How could they not be overjoyed and full of praise?
However, this was merely the prelude to the entire culinary feast...
Just as everyone was chatting happily and in high spirits, the maids, carrying hot dishes, moved gracefully among the tables.
When a dish of crab meat lion's head meatballs called "Skylight and Cloud Shadows Linger Together" was placed on the table, the entire room instantly began to stir.
"Wow, this lion's head has actually been carved into the shape of a small lion. This is a true 'real lion's head'!" A white-skinned scholar couldn't help but exclaim.
The little lion head lay quietly in the clear soup, with a bronze mirror hidden beneath the broth.
Under the flickering candlelight, the shimmering surface of the soup reflected the cloud patterns on the dome of the sky, as if the sunlight and the shadows of the clouds were chasing and lingering in the soup...
The dish perfectly matches the imagery described in its name, as if a vibrant landscape painting has been presented on the plate.
Bai Mengran's explanation focused on how to cook the dish:
"This dish uses extremely fresh pork and rich crab roe. After being repeatedly pounded, the meat becomes firm and the crab roe becomes delicious."
After simmering over low heat, the broth becomes clear and bright, yet perfectly retains the original flavors of the meat and crab…
When everyone took their first bite, the taste was simply indescribable; it could only be described as "amazing"!
The rich flavor of pork and the umami of crab roe intertwine and collide intensely in the mouth, with the umami of crab roe subtly blending into the meat while maintaining their individual flavors.
It's so delicious that you'd want to swallow your tongue; you just wish you could keep this deliciousness in your mouth forever...
The second dish, "Empty Heart in the Pool's Reflection," is even more exquisite. When the stone pot mushroom soup is served, the surface of the soup looks as calm as a mirror.
As guests lean over to drink, they are surprised to find that their reflection perfectly overlaps with the shadow of matsutake mushrooms floating at the bottom of the soup, as if they are in a tranquil mountain forest and pool, becoming one with nature.
"This soup brings together a variety of rare mushrooms from the mountains and is simmered over low heat for several hours to bring out their natural freshness."
Bai Mengran explained softly, "Taking a sip is like washing away the dust in your heart, allowing your soul to find a moment of peace..."
Everyone picked up their soup bowls and took a small sip.
Immediately, sighs of relief and praise rose and fell.
Everyone was immersed in the exquisite flavors of the dishes, their faces beaming with satisfaction and delight.
One hot dish after another was served on the table, each one conquering everyone's taste buds with its unique poetic charm and exquisite flavor.
Just then, the maids entered carrying a dish called "Either light nor heavy makeup suits you well".
Each tray neatly displays ten bowls of Dongpo pork, each bowl designed to resemble a scene from West Lake.
The ten bowls of Dongpo pork are like a jigsaw puzzle, perfectly combining to form a picture of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, as if the beautiful scenery of the entire West Lake is condensed into this small plate.
"This...the meat is different in every single serving? How much thought must have gone into that?"
"Yes, I can't believe how these dishes were developed and made, they're amazing!"
"I've lived this long and only now do I realize that food can be prepared like a painting—it's innovative and delicious! Eating like this is such a treat!"
"Oh my! I'm so curious about that 'fairyland' that Miss Bai mentioned!"
I tried all the dishes today, and every single one was delicious; there wasn't a single one that wasn't good. Could that place really be a culinary paradise?
……
The impact of a single dish was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in everyone's hearts and fueling their curiosity and discussion about the "fairyland."
The more amazed everyone was by the delicious food, the more eager they were to explore the unknown land.
Meanwhile, twelve hot dishes were being served one after another, with surprises continuing to unfold.
The steamed Taihu whitefish, described as "a green snail in a silver plate," had a body as white as jade and seemed unremarkable at first glance.
However, when the chopsticks gently cut open the fish's belly, the shrimp paste hidden inside poured out like pearls...
Everyone then realized with surprise, oh, so the surprise was hidden here!
After that, with each hot dish served, the guests felt as if they were watching a magnificent show.
Each dish was unique and amazing, with none being inferior in the slightest.
This lunch was like watching dozens of unexpected and wonderful performances; the immersive dining experience was incredibly novel.
Everyone couldn't help but applaud, and praises rose and fell, making it hard to tell whether it was a dinner party or a performance...
Although there is a wide variety of cold and hot dishes, the portions of each dish are not very large.
Once all the hot dishes were served, everyone leisurely raised their glasses to drink and savor the food, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Next came the snacks and main courses, which were equally delightful.
At this point, the guests still had room in their stomachs, making room for these "VIP guests".
A peony pastry called "Clouds Think of Clothes, Flowers Think of Face" is so beautifully shaped that it resembles the delicate and vibrant peony in a painting.
Bai Mengran explained, "This peony pastry is filled with fresh flowers, and the bud part is filled with runny egg yolk, and it is baked."
Crispy on the palate, bursting with floral fragrance, may you all appreciate the exquisite beauty of the peony described in the poem.
Everyone picked up a peony pastry, took a small bite, and felt the crispy outer layer and sweet filling intertwine on their tongues, filling their mouths with floral fragrance. They were all captivated by the experience.
The "Exquisite Dice with Red Beans" tea cake has a hidden secret: the red beans inside are only revealed after you bite into it.
The most amazing one is the "Ink Painting Tangyuan". The black sesame and peanut filling spreads under the paper-thin skin, just like a vivid landscape painting. It is both artistic and delicious.
One of the staple foods, "The boat lies adrift on the deserted ferry," is a crab roe soup dumpling.
The skin is as thin as paper, the filling is generous and plentiful, and the soup is fresh and mellow.
The moment the delicious broth bursts in your mouth, it's simply irresistible.
The last three dishes are all main courses.
By this time, most people were patting their round bellies, complaining that their stomachs were too disappointing, as they were willing but unable to eat!
My eyes wanted to taste it, but my stomach wouldn't allow it. I could only watch those with good appetites feasting. It was good enough to just watch.