Everything is man-made!
And while all dishes are made by people, each ingredient actually has its own 'temperament'.
For example, with a Mille-feuille, each layer of pastry seems to have its own ideas, and beginners always stumble at first; or take various candied dishes, a slight lapse in attention can turn them into various failed versions of sugar-coated hawthorns!
Therefore, every seemingly simple dish actually hides various difficulties!
How can a Souffle be made to not collapse at all within 1 minute?
Actually,
on this question,
many chefs find it particularly difficult!
But in Sosuke's eyes, or rather, for Alice Nakiri, who is skilled in Molecular Cuisine,
they would both find it very easy; it's simply a matter of adding a stabilizing gelatin powder... Yes, that's all!
...
"Gelatin powder?"
"Using something like that isn't really my cooking style!"
Returning to the cooking station, Sosuke took a deep breath and then muttered to himself.
It is said that a successful Souffle requires extremely strict attention to detail, so all ingredients must be prepared before making it.
Butter!
Eggs!
Granulated sugar!
Flour!
First, these four things are indispensable!
"Ladies, the Izakaya temporarily has no fruits or nuts!"
"Only some chocolate bought from the supermarket a few days ago, so would you mind if I made chocolate-flavored Souffles?"
"Of course not."
"You can make it however you like."
Akikubo Momo quickly replied.
"OK."
"Then let's officially begin!"
With that, Sosuke finally got busy.
...
He first preheated the oven, then took out a dozen heat-resistant small cups.
He brushed a layer of softened butter with a small brush, then reapplied it to the inner walls of the small cups, followed by sprinkling some granulated sugar and pouring out the excess.
After preparing, he put all the small cups into the refrigerator for chilling.
He heated and melted small pieces of chocolate, then successively added butter and beaten egg yolks, stirring evenly before setting aside.
To the egg whites, he added lemon juice, and granulated sugar in three additions, whipping with an electric whisk. During the last sugar addition, he also added cornstarch, continuing to whip the meringue until it reached a stiff peak with an upright tip!
He divided the meringue into two portions, adding 1/3 of it to the chocolate mixture and folding it evenly.
Finally,
the remaining 2/3 portion.
He continued to add and mix until it reached a mousse-like consistency!
"Hmm?"
"Is it my imagination?"
"Although it's being made properly, it looks like a standard Souffle preparation, doesn't it?"
From beginning to end, Sosuke's entire process had nothing that could make one's eyes light up, which inevitably left Akikubo Momo, who was quietly watching nearby, with a sense of disappointment and helplessness!
"Momo!"
"Keep watching."
"I believe that in the end, his Souffle dessert will surprise you!"
Seeing this, Rindo also couldn't help but murmur to herself.
But thinking that Sosuke never spoke boastfully and was a man of his word!
So, she could only refocus her gaze on Sosuke, wanting to see how he would complete this Souffle dessert.
...
Afterward,
Sosuke filled the prepared meringue.
Into the small cups, mounding them into a small hill shape, and finally gently smoothing the surface with a small knife.
He baked them in the middle-lower rack of the oven at 150 degrees Celsius for a full 20 minutes, and during the baking process, all the Souffles slowly puffed up.
Clearly, the process of waiting for the Souffle to be ready was like pursuing someone you admire—a long process, but a sweet outcome!
Finally, to everyone's anticipation,
with a "ding," a full dozen Souffles were freshly baked!
"Here it comes!"
"It's coming!"
"I hope it doesn't collapse the moment it's taken out!"
Rindo, watching the Souffle dessert in the oven finally finishing baking, couldn't help but widen her round eyes, seemingly filled with anticipation and nervousness.
And Akikubo Momo next to her also stared intently, although she always felt very uncertain in her heart, because the Souffle dessert Sosuke had just made, its method and ingredients were extremely ordinary in every aspect.
But for some reason, she really hoped this Souffle wouldn't collapse!
Subsequently, all the Souffle desserts were taken out.
The moment they came into contact with the air, their golden-yellow, slightly caramelized appearance showed no change, nor did they visibly collapse.
One look was enough to recognize them as a classic of French desserts.
Looking closely,
the upper crust was somewhat chewy!
The bottom, meanwhile, still had some moisture.
The entire delicate Souffle was like a fluffy, utterly elusive cloud!
"Wow!"
"It really doesn't collapse!"
"And this Souffle dessert feels so soft and elastic."
"Especially its mountain-like curved beauty, it fully expresses a concept of 'cuteness,' making me feel like I'm about to melt!"
"Could it be that this Izakaya's Shopkeeper also possesses an extraordinary talent for design?"
Looking at each Souffle in front of her, so uniquely and adorably shaped, Akikubo Momo's childlike heart was instantly charmed, and her eyes began to sparkle.
...
Cuteness.
This is a very abstract concept.
But cute things are often regarded as an aesthetic preference!
Akikubo Momo, from the moment she first appeared, was described as someone who liked cute things.
Perhaps having "cute" elements allows her to show her inner world and her passion for life, making it easier for others to resonate!
It is precisely because of this that her "cute" dessert dishes are so well-liked by many people!
Maybe?
Even she herself doesn't know.
Her own image is actually closely related to cuteness.
Her large eyes, round face, and petite "loli" figure naturally make her appear very cute.
Furthermore, her clothing and accessories often incorporate cute elements, such as:
A hairstyle resembling cat ears, often holding a stuffed doll, and so on!
Therefore,
even though she is the Elite Ten's Fourth Seat.
And had little screen time in the original story.
It is precisely such a character that Sosuke has a good impression of!
"56"
"57"
"58"
"59"
"60"
"A full minute has passed, and none of the Souffles have collapsed!"
Counting down to the last 60 seconds, seeing that all these Souffles maintained their freshly baked appearance, Rindo said excitedly.
A miracle!
It really is a miracle!
She had only hoped for great things from Sosuke, and he actually delivered!