jdhmnovel Chapter 313 Eight Exquisite Cold Dishes
Chapter 313 Eight Exquisite Cold Dishes
On the trays held by the maids, each exquisite dish seemed to be hand-painted on the plate, just like a series of finely crafted and beautiful paintings, allowing one to appreciate their beauty before even tasting them.
The head maid held a jade plate, on which snowdrifts were piled up like a delicate little mountain, glistening and white.
The candied hawthorns, like specks of cinnabar, are scattered throughout the scene, adding a vibrant touch to the otherwise simple and elegant picture.
A plum branch, inserted diagonally on the plate, stands proudly, exuding a sense of tranquility and elegance, making the entire dish resemble a profound winter snow scene.
Bai Mengran had already discussed it with the system, instructing it to cooperate fully during the food serving process.
Next to each dish, there is a calligraphy label with the dish name written on it. The elegant font complements the dish perfectly, allowing guests to easily see these poetic and picturesque dish names.
Meanwhile, with each dish served, the system transformed into Bai Mengran's thoughtful teleprompter.
A full-screen pop-up displays a detailed description of the dish.
From the selection of ingredients and cooking techniques to the cultural connotations behind them, everything is included.
In this way, Bai Mengran only needs to read it aloud.
Bai Mengran rummaged through her luggage for a while and finally found the speaker that she hadn't used in a long time.
She opened it and pinned it to her neckline.
As the first cold dish was served, Bai Mengran's voice rang out clearly through the speaker.
"Distinguished guests, the dishes served at today's banquet are all carefully selected from the finest cuisines of our [Fairyland] Chinese restaurant."
This themed cuisine is dedicated to developing innovative Chinese dishes that perfectly blend food with poetry and painting. By incorporating art and poetry into the cuisine, it aims to create 'edible ink paintings,' bringing a feast for both the eyes and the palate!
Bai Mengran read the text on the system screen aloud, but found some of the wording too verbose, so she quickly skipped a section and continued reading.
"Next, I will introduce and explain each dish in detail. I hope you can immerse yourselves in these delicious foods and have a happy and satisfying meal."
"We are truly fortunate to have Miss Bai today, and of course, we are also fortunate to have had Old Master Lu to be able to enjoy such a delicious meal that is so fitting for the occasion."
The very first dish that was served was truly a pleasant surprise, making us look at it in a completely new light!
The speaker was a highly respected elderly painter who had also been invited by Mr. Lu to sit at the main table.
When he saw the first cold dish, which looked as lifelike as a painting, he couldn't contain his excitement and couldn't help but praise it loudly.
"Thank you for your kind words, sir." Bai Mengran immediately expressed her gratitude, and then changed the subject to the dishes themselves.
"This first cold dish is called 'Sparse Shadows Slanting Across the Field'."
The plum blossom branch on the plate was carefully carved from candied fruit; the snow slush was made from yam and milk, and melted in the mouth, delicate and smooth.
Why don't you all try gently touching this plum branch? You might be pleasantly surprised!
Tang Mingyuan, a renowned scholar from Songjiang, was holding silver chopsticks when this cold dish was placed right in front of him.
Upon hearing this, he curiously reached for the plum branch with his silver chopsticks.
As soon as the silver chopsticks touched the plum branch, the "snow" in the plate began to rustle.
It turns out that dry ice was cleverly hidden in the plate, and now, when heated, it rises in wisps of white steam, just like the clear sky after a snowfall...
The people in the room were immediately in an uproar, unable to believe what they were seeing.
"Wonderful!" Tang Mingyuan exclaimed. "This dish not only resembles the snow-covered plum blossoms in appearance, but also captures the fragrance of plum blossoms after a snowfall!"
Then, he couldn't resist scooping up a spoonful of slush and putting it in his mouth.
The slush was smooth and sweet, melting slowly on the tip of my tongue;
The hawthorn is sweet and sour, instantly awakening the taste buds; the plum blossom preserves are even more crisp and sweet, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "I never expected the flavor to be so exquisite! It truly lives up to its name, 'Sparse Shadows Slanting Across the Land'!"
Lured by his praise, everyone at the table quickly picked up their chopsticks to taste the dish, eager to see if this innovative cold dish was merely superficial or truly delicious.
"It's delicious! I never imagined that a cold dish could achieve such artistry. It's not only beautiful to look at, but also incredibly delicious!"
This sweet and sour cold dish is truly a feast for the eyes and the palate, earning rave reviews.
Soon, the second dish, "Fragrance Drifting," was served, with one serving of this cold dish to each person.
In the glass goblet, the drunken crabs are arranged in the shape of plum blossoms, and the crab shells are actually decorated with ink plum blossoms outlined in gold foil!
The most ingenious part is the hidden mechanism at the bottom of the cup. When warm wine is poured in, the whole "plum blossom" slowly rotates in the cup, truly embodying the meaning of "a faint fragrance drifting in the twilight".
"This drunken crab is carefully marinated with aged Shaoxing wine and sealed in a glass cup, which not only preserves the tenderness of the crab meat but also infuses it with the mellow aroma of the wine."
Bai Mengran recounted in detail, "It's like a faint, lingering fragrance that leaves a lasting impression."
The young scholar Liu Yi could no longer contain himself. He picked up the glass cup in front of him, gently lifted the lid, and the aroma of wine and crab instantly filled the air.
He picked up a piece of crab meat and put it in his mouth. The tender crab meat spread between his teeth, and the mellow aroma of wine lingered on his tongue.
Liu Yi's eyes widened, his face full of shock and admiration: "This...this is too delicious! It's incredibly fresh and fragrant. I have never tasted such a delicious flavor before."
Bai Mengran smiled without saying a word, but simply raised her hand to signal the maids to serve the third dish.
When the "Spring Water is Bluer than the Sky"—the jadeite sashimi—was served, the entire room fell silent instantly, everyone's attention completely captivated by the dish.
Thin slices of fish, as thin as cicada wings, are carefully laid out, resembling shimmering waves on the plate; shredded water shield floats among them like rootless duckweed.
The most ingenious part is that a bronze mirror is hidden at the bottom of the plate. Under the candlelight, the whole dish really looks like the warm spring river, as if a spring river scene has been brought to the table.
"Pouring hot soup from a silver pot, the fish slices curl up like small boats upon contact with the heat; please listen, gentlemen—"
As Bai Mengran explained, people at each table started to try it out.
As the hot soup slowly poured into the plate, it actually produced the sound of pattering rain...
"Amazing, where is that sound coming from?"
"I can really hear the rain, it's so wonderful!"
It turns out that the specially made double-layered bottom of the plate is sandwiched with fine sand. When the water flows and washes the fine sand, it is like spring rain hitting the oars, making a poetic and picturesque sound.
Then, one cold dish after another unfolded on the table like a lively scroll painting.
The jade lotus root jelly, titled "Leaving withered lotus leaves to listen to the rain," is carved from emerald green lotus root jelly into the shape of withered lotus leaves and adorned with glistening "dewdrops," so lifelike that one can almost hear the patter of raindrops falling on the lotus leaves...
Each cold dish served drew gasps of amazement and endless praise from the guests.
As Bai Mengran continued her introduction, she began to focus on the key points and omit the details.
After all, if you were to read through all the detailed menu items provided by the system one by one...
She's really worried about her voice; she'll end up with a "work-related injury"!