I'm the Culinary God

When slicing, you also shouldn’t slice all the way through; it needs to be connected.

Once both sides are sliced, a single piece of matsutake cucumber is completed.

Lin Xu grabbed both ends of the cucumber and pulled it apart, the whole cucumber instantly sprang apart like a spring.

Mix the caster sugar and a bit of salt, sprinkle it evenly over the cucumber, then place it in a bowl set aside, and evenly apply mustard sauce.

Once everything is done, cover it with cling film, and place it in the fridge’s cooling compartment.

After finishing these, he brought out the Qianlong Cabbage he made, letting everyone taste it.

At this moment, Cui Qingyuan, who was idly at school, also came by. Seeing the Qianlong Cabbage Lin Xu made, he laughed and said:

"It’s a good thing there’s no broadcast host here, or there’d be an argument."

Geng Lele curiously asked:

"Why was there an argument back then? I remember the two hosts were discussing whether Yanjing is a culinary desert, which many people discuss, but how did they get to arguing about Qianlong Cabbage?"

Lin Xu put down the plate and said:

"Because traditionally, cold dishes are not considered dishes; only hot dishes and big dishes are considered gourmet."

Shen Jiayue opened her mouth:

"But didn’t you win the last cooking competition with a dish of White Jade Lotus Root Strips? White Jade Lotus Root Strips are also a cold dish, right?"

During the first cooking competition, it was indeed by White Jade Lotus Root Strips that he won.

Lin Xu smiled and said:

"Because in the face of absolute strength, even cold dishes can win everyone’s admiration and even eliminate prejudice."

That was a Perfect Level dish created by Master, with knife skills, flavor, presentation, aroma, and color all being excellent.

In this situation, winning the championship naturally becomes inevitable.

At eleven o’clock, Lin Xu opened the fridge, first taking out the cabbage that had marinated for an hour, grabbing a clean plate, and arranging a couple of noticeably softened cabbage leaves.

The first layer leaf is on the left, the leaf is on the right, the second layer leaf is on the right, the leaf is on the left, making the Mustard Dumpling uniform in thickness and more beautiful when placed on the plate.

To make the core more outstanding, Lin Xu specially placed a few tender leaves from the cabbage heart on top.

Then roll up the cabbage, and when rolling, it shouldn’t be pushed; roll the cabbage as tightly as possible, then use a small knife to cut it into inch-long sections.

Arrange nicely on a plate and pour some of the brine left from the cabbage marinade over it.

A mustard-flavored, sweet and sour and refreshing Mustard Dumpling is now ready.

The method for cucumber is also simple, just cut the matsutake cucumber into small sections, stand them upright on a plate, pour over the marinade juice, and it’s completed too.

"Time to eat, time to eat, the first lunch of 2023, wishing everyone a safe and joyful new year!"

Shen Jiayue held up the Kvass, raising a toast with everyone.

Today, everyone didn’t eat with the employees, waiting for the Mustard Dumpling and cucumber to be ready.

As they say, good things are worth the wait, and tasting the refreshing and appetizing cabbage and cucumber at this moment, they feel the wait was worthwhile.

Besides Mustard Dumpling and cucumber, there’s also Wei Qian’s attempt at Ginger Braised Duck, Ma Zhiqiang’s Old Vinegar Braised Meat, Zhu Yong’s Braised Fish Belly, and Guo Xinghai’s Steamed Beef Brisket.

The so-called Steamed Beef Brisket means thoroughly soaking the brisket’s blood out, cooking it slowly, slicing and dipping in sauce, it tastes quite good, distinctly different from Tomato Beef Brisket or Brisket Stew dishes.

After a few bites of the intensely flavored meat dishes, biting into a mustard-filled cabbage leaf or cucumber slice brings a uniquely refreshing and appetizing sensation that’s simply wonderful.

"Phew... so satisfying, no wonder it’s a New Year’s Eve dish, if you’re thinking of someone while eating, you can conveniently have a good cry over this dish."

Cui Qingyuan wiped his eyes from the mustard-induced tears, then picked up another mustard-dipped cucumber slice and popped it into his mouth.

Then he wiped his eyes again.

Geng Lele discreetly filmed a clip of Cui Qingyuan wiping his tears and sent it to Yan Lin:

"Dad misses you so much he’s crying, tears like falling pearls, can’t stop them—where are you, mom?"

Just after sending it, Yan Lin replied with two words:

"Downstairs!"

Down... downstairs?

Geng Lele, sitting by the window, got up to look downstairs and saw the Toyota Alphard, which Yan Lin often sat in, parked there.

She really came.

Geng Lele turned her face, pretending to act nonchalantly, and asked:

"Dad, if I could give you a chance to see the person you most want to see right now, who would you want it to be?"

Cui Qingyuan thought for a moment and said:

"It’d have to be my mentor at MIT. He wasn’t optimistic about my development in the field of artificial intelligence and wanted me to move to another field... Now, I just want him to see I’ve done everything possible to help our nation’s AI advance to the world forefront!"

Geng Lele: ???????

Given the chance to see a goddess, you thought of an old man instead.

Are all tech guys this straightforward?

She hinted again:

"Someone of the opposite sex?"

Cui Qingyuan thought seriously and then said:

"If it’s the opposite sex, it should be a British schoolmate from my study abroad days. She strongly invited me to come to the United Kingdom, promising to apply for a knighthood if I achieved certain breakthroughs, but I declined... If I had the chance to meet her, I would..."

At this point, he sniffed and turned his head in surprise, only then noticing Yan Lin standing behind him:

"I wondered why the perfume scent was so familiar? Linlin, when did you arrive? Take a seat quickly, I’ll get you some chopsticks."

Yan Lin gave him a half-smile, half-sarcastic look:

"Don’t rush, finish your story about the schoolmate first; I’m quite interested in that."

Cui Qingyuan opened his mouth and hesitated; even with his low EQ, he sensed something off in her tone. He shot a glare at Geng Lele and continued:

"If I had the chance to meet her, I would sincerely tell her that I’ve known my one true love since I was four, and no matter how tempting capitalism’s sugar-coated artillery may be, nothing could shake Linlin’s place in my heart."

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I’m not particularly interested in Mustard Dumpling, but quite enjoy Qianlong Cabbage, with its refreshing sweet and sour taste. This Chapter is 5,000 words; I’m asking for monthly tickets, brothers!