Chapter 73
Haruto and Ryoko regrouped beside the pond and compared the ingredients they had gathered.
They had enough to prepare several different dishes, but the assignment required something distinctly their own, and Haruto felt their current selection was still missing a final spark.
Just as he considered searching for more ingredients, a fresh lotus fragrance drifted toward them on the breeze.
Haruto turned toward the pond and noticed the lush green lotus leaves floating across its surface.
After admiring them for a moment, he glanced down at the free-range chicken in his hand.
A dish immediately came to mind.
"Ryoko, I have an idea..."
Haruto explained what he was thinking.
Ryoko considered it briefly before nodding.
Her specialty lay in dishes made with koji, but proper fermentation required far more time than they had available.
For this assignment, it made sense to follow Haruto’s lead.
Once they agreed on the plan, Haruto reached out and picked two of the finest lotus leaves he could find.
Both were broad, vibrant, and full of life.
After a moment’s thought, he picked a lotus blossom as well.
With their ingredients gathered, the two returned to the kitchen and began cooking.
Haruto started with the most important ingredient—the chicken.
He removed every feather, cut open the bird along its back, and took out the internal organs before thoroughly rinsing the cavity with clean water.
Using his knife with precision, he removed the central backbone.
He then made three evenly spaced cuts across the thighs and breast so the seasoning could penetrate deeply and flavor the meat throughout.
Once the chicken was prepared, Haruto took the seasonings Ryoko had measured out and rubbed salt, sugar, cooking wine, and freshly ground spices over the entire bird, making sure to work them into the cuts and inside the cavity.
After massaging the seasoning into the meat, he set the chicken aside to marinate.
While it rested, Haruto lit the stove and poured a generous amount of oil into a pot.
By the time the oil reached the proper temperature, the chicken had absorbed enough of the marinade.
He lifted it carefully and lowered it into the hot oil.
The moment it touched the surface, a sharp sizzling filled the kitchen, accompanied by a rich burst of roasted meat aroma.
Once the bird was fully submerged, Haruto used a pair of long chopsticks to turn it patiently, ensuring that every side cooked evenly.
When the entire chicken had taken on a deep golden color and its skin gleamed enticingly, he removed it at once and allowed the excess oil to drain away.
The fried chicken was then transferred into a clay pot.
Meanwhile, Ryoko had already finished preparing the broth.
It was clear and fragrant, with a deep, full-bodied flavor.
Once Haruto placed the chicken inside, Ryoko slowly poured in the broth until it covered most of the bird.
They added star anise, peppercorns, mushrooms, and wild greens, then covered the pot and allowed everything to braise gently over low heat.
Time passed slowly.
The broth bubbled softly inside the clay pot as the rich aroma of chicken blended with the fragrance of spices and filled the kitchen.
Gradually, the meat softened and absorbed the surrounding flavors.
Haruto turned off the heat and lifted the lid.
An even richer aroma immediately surged out.
He removed the cooked mushrooms and wild greens and set them aside for plating.
By then, Ryoko had spread one of the lotus leaves across the cutting board after briefly blanching it in hot water.
Haruto lifted the whole chicken from the pot and placed it on top.
They filled the cavity with finely chopped lotus leaf and lotus petals, then wrapped the bird tightly in the larger leaves.
The bundled chicken went into a preheated oven with the temperature and cooking time carefully set.
When the timer finally reached zero, Haruto opened the oven.
A dense wave of aroma washed over him, carrying both the mellow richness of the chicken and the clean fragrance of lotus.
He removed the parcel and unfolded the leaves, revealing the golden, fall-apart tender chicken within.
The Lotus-Leaf Chicken was complete!
...
Haruto took out a white porcelain plate and removed one of the legs.
The meat was so tender that it separated from the bone with almost no effort.
Using his knife, he sliced the thigh into even pieces of moderate thickness and arranged them neatly in the center of the plate.
He added several mushrooms and wild greens as garnish, their contrasting colors lending the presentation a simple elegance.
Haruto carried the plate to Hinako.
"Inui-sensei, this is our Lotus-Leaf Chicken. Please try it."
The rich aroma of meat reached her first, wrapped in the fresh, cooling scent of lotus.
Unlike the heaviness normally associated with chicken, the fragrance was both full-bodied and refreshing.
Hinako’s eyes immediately lit up.
A gentle smile curved across her lips, and her previously languid expression filled with anticipation.
She picked up a slice with her bamboo chopsticks and placed it into her mouth.
The moment her teeth pressed down, the meat practically dissolved across her tongue.
It was tender, succulent, and deeply seasoned, without the slightest trace of dryness.
The spices from the marinade, the savory richness of the braising broth, and the fragrance absorbed from the lotus leaves blended together perfectly.
The clean lotus aroma cut through every hint of greasiness, leaving only a fresh, lingering savoriness behind.
Even more delicate was the faint floral note of the lotus petals that remained between her teeth, adding another layer to the dish and extending its finish.
Hinako felt as though she were drifting in a small boat across an endless lotus pond.
A gentle breeze brushed past her.
Broad green leaves stretched in every direction, and the fragrance of lotus clung to her sleeves as she floated through the quiet freshness of nature.
The mushrooms and wild greens served alongside the chicken were equally impressive.
They had absorbed the rich juices released by the meat, transforming their naturally light flavors into something plump, savory, and succulent.
Each bite was every bit as satisfying as the chicken itself.
Hinako became completely absorbed in the dish.
She ate one bite after another, forgetting everything around her.
Before she realized it, both the chicken and the vegetables had vanished from the plate.
Only when her chopsticks tapped against the empty porcelain with a clear click did she finally return to her senses.
She stared at the spotless plate with obvious reluctance, then looked up at Haruto expectantly.
"Um... could you bring over the rest of the chicken so I can try a little more?"
Haruto shook his head with absolute firmness.
"Inui-sensei, you still have many other students’ dishes to judge. If you fill up now, it might affect your evaluation of the rest."
His reasoning was perfectly sensible.
Of course, the more important reason was that the remaining Lotus-Leaf Chicken belonged to him and Ryoko.
"What? That’s so mean!"
Hinako puffed out her cheeks, her eyes drooping with disappointment.
Still, she knew Haruto was right and reluctantly abandoned the idea.
After collecting herself, Hinako’s expression became serious again.
She looked between Haruto and Ryoko before announcing,
"From the way you gathered your ingredients to the techniques, layered flavors, and creative use of lotus, there is nothing I can criticize."
"You both pass!"