Chapter 745 - 690: Simply Brilliant
The few of them were talking without deliberately avoiding the other kitchen staff.
Upon hearing that the boss wanted to develop a new dish, everyone looked over with curiosity, but most eyes landed on Fu Yu.
This kid is really something, getting the chance to take charge in developing a new dish.
You know, these matters are usually handled by the boss personally or at least the head chef of the restaurant.
Even though everyone recognized Fu Yu’s cooking skills, they were still impressed that he could be part of developing new dishes.
Fu Yu has really become this amazing?
Others were half skeptical, even Zhao Meng felt uncertain.
While checking the prepped ingredients, Zhao Meng spoke in a low voice that only the two of them could hear: "Just do your best, it’s okay if it doesn’t work out, because even your master couldn’t succeed with this dish before."
Zhao Meng was worried that Fu Yu might feel pressured and wanted to reassure him beforehand.
Fu Yu quickly said, "I’m sure I can do it!"
Zhao Meng glanced at Fu Yu without saying more, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
In Zhao Meng’s view, no one is more confident than Fu Yu.
His innate temperament is good, and his mindset is steady.
No matter what situation, he’s never been seen flustered.
Sometimes when unexpected situations arose, while others were anxious for him, he seemed completely composed, as if ready for anything.
Zhao Meng had long understood Fu Yu’s way of being.
So, he casually offered a word of concern and didn’t say much more, just waiting to see Fu Yu in action, ready to step in if needed.
Yao Shi handed the cooking recipe to Fu Yu: "Xiaofu, take a look at how this dish is made. I’ll explain a bit as well."
"I haven’t cooked this dish before either, but looking at the recipe, the key step is in shaping. Speed is one aspect, but you also need to pay attention to some detailed operations. I’m not very clear on the specifics, so when you cook, be mindful of them yourself!"
Fu Yu nodded and carefully read through the recipe first.
Upon reading, he immediately noticed the problem.
Perhaps the chef who originally provided this recipe was intentionally secretive, or maybe the person who requested it blindly trusted the chef.
Either way, this recipe was not detailed in its cooking procedures.
All the steps were there, and the order was correct.
But in terms of detailed operations, not a single word was mentioned.
For example, the specific thickness required for the fish slices was not mentioned, it just said to slice the fish very thinly.
As for cutting the fish slices into a fan shape, or how to press them into a petal shape using chopsticks while frying, these critical points had no hints whatsoever.
If one were to cook solely based on the steps provided in this recipe, it would be a miracle to complete the dish!
Fu Yu felt incredibly fortunate that he had a comprehensive classic recipe book.
Although Liu Yunong had failed to cook it before, they at least had operational experience.
Yunong specially called Fu Yu over, and the two discussed for a long time, analyzing the situation thoroughly based on what they knew.
Fu Yu, already equipped with the cooking techniques from the classic recipe, now felt confident after discussing with Liu Yunong.
The assistant had already prepared all the ingredients.
The Peony Fish Fillet was to be cooked using grass carp.
The fish was cleaned and ready, and Fu Yu took a clean paper towel to wipe off the moisture from the fish’s surface.
He then picked up the kitchen knife to chop off the fish head and tail.
In the process of removing the head and tail, Fu Yu wielded the knife with swift precision, completing the task in one go.
As chefs, their right arms are usually quite strong, considering handling the wok is a labor-intensive task.
The fish tail has thin flesh, so cutting through it is easy for anyone.
But when it came to the head, usually, it takes two cuts to thoroughly sever it.
However, Fu Yu completed it with a single cut.
Everyone was slightly stunned when they saw Fu Yu chopping off the fish head.
Did he really cut it with just one stroke?
Yes! Fu Yu directly chopped off the head with one cut and swiftly placed the neatly cut head onto the tray beside him.
The cut was both sharp and decisive.
The severed area of the fish head was very clean, without any adhesion.
Looking closely, you’d find that the break was exactly at the joint of the fish bones, with no splintered bone.
This left everyone not only greatly amazed but also slightly relieved.
Sometimes, residual splinters in the fish head are invisible, but cooking still requires further removal of a layer of fish meat, which is troublesome and somewhat wasteful of ingredients.
Fu Yu’s knife work was straightforward and agile, effectively skipping this step of cleaning.
Liu Yunong personally assisted Fu Yu, while Yao Shi and Zhao Meng leaned in to watch closely.
Seeing this, the three exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement, fully acknowledging Fu Yu’s capability.
After removing the fish tail, Fu Yu went on to debone the fish.
He continued holding the kitchen knife, slicing off the fish meat along one side of the bones.
Then he removed the bones from the fish belly.
Next, he started slicing fish fillets from the tail.
He laid the filleted fish meat flat on the board.
With the knife, he cut the fish pieces into slices as thin as a coin, soaked them in clean water to remove any odor, then squeezed out the excess moisture.
Fu Yu had achieved a skillful level of slicing fish by now.
As the knife moved up and down, the fish meat separated slice by slice, his hand speed so quick that to outsiders, it appeared that only a slight tremble could be perceived on the back of his hand.
Especially considering he wetted the knife every two cuts, though there was substantial movement, it somehow looked as if he remained unmoved.