Chapter 51: Yakumo Yukari's Special Commission! Yuyuko's Subtle Ingredient! (Part 2)
There were more spectators watching the cooking today than usual.
Regarding this, Luke first poured a cup of tea for Yakumo Yukari.
However, before he could serve it, the other party said softly,
"I'd like wine~"
"It's not even noon yet. Yakumo-san should drink a little less."
"Feels like I heard similar words from Reimu before..."
As Yakumo Yukari was immeresed in her thoughts, Luke switched the tea to wine and served it to the Gap Youkai.
Seeing this scene, Shameimaru Aya remembered her own cup was empty.
"Me, me, me, Luke-san, another glass of carbonated drink."
"You've already drunk four glasses..."
"Don't mind more, I don't mind more~"
"Pour it yourself then."
"Eh, feels like Luke-san doesn't treat me as a guest anymore..."
Shameimaru Aya ran to the far left of the kitchen and poured herself a glass.
Seeing this, Yakumo Yukari asked curiously,
"Is that good?"
"Hm? Yakumo-sama is interested? Anyway, I think it's pretty good. Besides, Marisa and Sumireko-san here both gave good reviews."
"Add a little into mine then."
Yakumo Yukari finished speaking and handed over her wine glass.
This made Shameimaru Aya unsure whether to obey...
"Adding carbonated drinks to wine can retain both the faint taste of wine and the stimulating sensation brought by carbonation, making the mouthfeel richer; however, after mixing, the carbonated drink will cause alcohol to enter the body faster, making one easily drunk. But I suppose Yakumo-san shouldn't worry about this?"
"Of course~ I've never been drunk."
Yakumo Yukari said confidently, looking at Shameimaru Aya again.
The latter immediately poured some drink into the Youkai Sage's wine glass before her.
At the same time, Luke also began the 'commissioned work'.
First, he brought the cyan jade box before him, carefully took out a small piece of tree gum from inside, and simply sniffed it.
Although there was no obvious smell, that fresh feeling reminded one of a cherry blossom forest in spring...
Next, Luke decided to heat the tree gum first to see what changes would occur.
So a small piece of tree gum was placed in a transparent glass container, pure spring water was slowly added, then it was placed over the stove fire to simmer slowly over low heat.
"This kind of very special ingredient must be handled slowly."
Luke said this to the guests outside the kitchen.
As the temperature gradually rose, the tree gum began to melt slowly, emitting a fresh and alluring floral fragrance that permeated the entire kitchen.
Yakumo Yukari closed her eyes, took a deep breath, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.
"This aroma makes one feel as if they are in a cherry blossom forest."
The Youkai Sage's view was exactly the same as Luke's.
Listening to the customer's evaluation, he stirred the melting tree gum while contemplating the next step.
"Luke-san, what exactly are you going to make?"
The tengu asked curiously.
Luke thought for a moment and made a decision.
"Let's try making a 'Cherry Blossom Jelly' first."
"Never heard of it."
"Just think of it as pudding."
Luke finished speaking, turned around, and began rummaging through the cabinets in the kitchen for spices.
Soon he took out fresh lemon zest and a little bit of rose water.
They could add a touch of fresh sweet-sourness and a romantic atmosphere to the dessert 'Cherry Blossom Jelly'.
"This dish is quite simple."
Marisa felt the steps weren't even as complicated as making carbonated drinks before.
"It doesn't have to be complicated to be good. For example, a plate of fried rice—its heat control, seasoning ratio, and the amount of side ingredients will all affect the overall taste."
"The study of cooking feels even more complex than magic..."
Marisa said this, scratching her head.
Usami Sumireko, seeing this, also asked,
"What's the purpose of those spices?"
"The fresh fragrance of lemon zest can enhance the overall layering, while rose water endows this dessert with a dreamlike atmosphere. It can be seen as 'artistic processing of cuisine'."
Luke, finished explaining, took out agar-agar powder as a coagulant and carefully adjusted the ratio to ensure the final texture was both smooth and possessed a certain elasticity.
Finally, to increase the textural layers, Luke added a small amount of honey to make the sweetness more rounded and not cloying.
"This step is crucial because it's the key to determining the texture of the finished product."
At the same time, to increase visual appeal, Luke also cleverly utilized some edible gold foil, a method used before.
Gently sprinkling them on the surface of the dessert about to solidify made the entire dish shine with golden light like a work of art.
When the dessert completely cooled and set, Luke carefully removed it from the mold and placed it on an exquisite plate.
"Yakumo-san, perhaps you could come taste it?"
Yakumo Yukari's gaze fell upon the 'Cherry Blossom Jelly'.
It looked like a piece of cherry-colored pudding, its surface glittering with golden specks, while also possessing the fresh fragrance of lemon and the scent of rose.
Yakumo Yukari carefully observed the dessert, then gently took a bite.
A trace of surprise flashed in the Youkai Sage's eyes.
"It's the taste of 'sweetness'."
Because of the perfect ratio, the cherry tree gum was perfectly integrated, without overwhelming the other flavors.
Thus, Luke followed this process, turning the remaining thousand-year cherry tree gum into 'Cherry Blossom Jelly' and handing it over to Yakumo Yukari.
"I think your friend will definitely like it."
Yakumo Yukari, opening a gap, smiled faintly at Luke.
"As for the payment... when I come here for drinks next time, I'll pay you double~"
Saying this, the Youkai Sage of Gensokyo picked up the pastries and disappeared from the restaurant.
Luke then wrote Yakumo Yukari's name on the regulars list, awaiting the Gap Youkai's next visit...
...