Hoshino, answer my question."
With a change in topic, Yuzuki Komoe threw the question to Hoshino Sora, who was chatting with Tadokoro Megumi.
Feeling everyone's gazes turn to him, Hoshino Sora could only smile helplessly at the secretly amused Yuzuki Komoe. After a moment of thought, he slowly began: "Different soups have different cooking methods; we should teach according to the ingredients.
For stewing soup, meat should first be soaked in cold water and then blanched, but if the meat is fresh enough, this step can be omitted, because blanching removes the meat's gamey smell and blood. In fact, blanched meat tastes significantly worse, and the same applies to soup. So, to make top-tier soup, it's best to use the freshest meat, but specific situations still need specific analysis…"
Standing in front of the cooking station, Hoshino Sora spoke eloquently. These things were basic knowledge for him; he understood them by reading books, so answering was naturally not difficult.
He even specifically categorized and explained five or six types of soup-making methods in one go, which made Yuzuki Komoe's face show a shocked expression.
To be precise, the more she listened, the more shocked she became. At first, she thought it was ordinary, but the more this guy talked, the more profound it became. There were many things that even she didn't know. No wonder this kid was so arrogant on weekdays; it turned out he had the capital to be arrogant!
"Very good. As Hoshino said, there are many ways to make soup. Different soups have different methods. Teaching according to the ingredients is what we should do."
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who had finished speaking and was standing to the side, Yuzuki Komoe nodded, then brought a chair and began drawing on the whiteboard with a black marker: "Today, you are to make French Onion Soup. No teams. Hoshino, you come up and demonstrate the cooking method for everyone."
Although, logically, the teacher should demonstrate it personally, since there was such a useful tool, Yuzuki Komoe naturally wouldn't let go of the opportunity. So, she moved her body to the side, leaving more than half of the usable space for Hoshino Sora.
Hoshino Sora smiled wryly at the sight, but didn't refuse. He stepped forward and began to demonstrate French Onion Soup, considering it compensation for not attending classes for a while.
Looking at the dozen or so students below the stage, Hoshino Sora picked up the ingredients and began to operate methodically. Today's class was four hours long, which was enough for him to make French Onion Soup from start to finish.
However…
Looking at the pre-prepared chicken stock and beef stock next to the cooking station, Hoshino Sora understood that Komoe-sensei was not testing him, but was simply too lazy to teach.
"Simply put, you slice the onions. Use this white onion, and just slice it horizontally and vertically."
Hoshino Sora said as he began to operate. This dish actually had no difficulty, it was just a bit troublesome to prepare, because this dish was not just onions.
Besides onions, it also requires pre-made chicken stock, beef bone stock, and the making of baguettes. Baguettes can be said to be the soul of French Onion Soup, so while it seems like making French Onion Soup, it actually tests many things.
However, since it was a demonstration, it was impossible to do it from start to finish; that would be too time-consuming.
"First detail, butter and cooking oil are poured into the pot together. Because butter burns easily, adding cooking oil can raise the temperature without burning it.
Add the sliced onions we just cut and stir-fry until they change color. Add a small amount of brandy, then red wine, stir constantly over medium heat for two to three minutes to evaporate the alcohol, then add chicken stock and beef bone stock.
Thyme, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and the most crucial nutmeg powder. Simmer for about thirty minutes. During this time, you can slice the baguette.
Rub the baguette slices with garlic to increase the garlic flavor, then take this large-holed cheese, the one Jerry often snatches in Tom and Jerry, don't get it wrong, and use this tool to grate it into shreds.
When the onion soup is almost done, add a spoon of stir-fried flour, stir it well, then ladle it into a bowl.
A layer of cheese shreds, three slices of baguette laid flat, and then another layer of cheese shreds. At this point, all the preparation work is done, and we put it into the oven."
While explaining, Hoshino Sora made French Onion Soup on the podium, while Yuzuki Komoe took advantage of his cooking time to write cooking formulas on the blackboard, such as the specific proportions of ingredients.
The cooperation between the two, one in front and one behind, significantly improved the teaching efficiency. They finished all the content of this lesson in just forty minutes.
"Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for three minutes. When the oven dings, this dish is done, Komoe-sensei, how did I do?"
Taking the French Onion Soup out of the oven, Hoshino Sora smiled and handed it to Yuzuki Komoe, whose eyes were filled with obvious admiration.
"So-so. Let me taste how it is."
As she spoke, Yuzuki Komoe took the French Onion Soup handed to her by Hoshino Sora, and her mouth began to salivate uncontrollably. The rich aroma of the French Onion Soup made her lose control.
"Gulp."
Holding the still steaming French Onion Soup, Yuzuki Komoe couldn't help but swallow. Such a rich aroma, this soup was definitely better than hers! Even though they used the same ingredients…
Why? Was it a problem with the seasoning proportions?
Her toes curled slightly as the rich aroma spread through her mouth. The French Onion Soup made by Hoshino Sora was exceptionally rich and mellow, even more delicious than the onion soup she had prepared for her lesson last night.
It should be the different amount of onions and different simmering times. Even though the ingredients and methods used were the same, the taste was worlds apart. This kid had truly grown to a level she could not reach.
"You don't need to come to my classes anymore. I'll give you an A for everything. You no longer need me to teach you."
Taking a bite of the baguette soaked in soup and cheese, a feeling of happiness instantly arose from the depths of her heart. This was a dish she absolutely could not make. All she could make was a very standard French Onion Soup.
And this French Onion Soup in front of her, although the method was exactly the same as hers, the taste had already far surpassed hers. For such a student, it would be good if she didn't have to learn from him, how could she dare to teach him in return?
The impact of the delicious food almost made Yuzuki Komoe roll her eyes and faint, but she still controlled her body's excitement and looked at the stunned students in front of her: "Don't just stand there, everyone start. We'll begin reviewing the dishes in two and a half hours."
Her voice was stern. Upon hearing her voice, everyone began to busy themselves. Hoshino Sora watched for a few moments, then came to Tadokoro Megumi's side, pulled up a chair, and waited.
After she finished her preparations, she also sat down and chatted with him, completely without the tension of a cooking assessment. In fact, with her current strength, there was no need to be nervous.
Two hours later, Tadokoro Megumi easily received an A-grade evaluation and was also the first to complete her dish. The two returned to Polar Star Dormitory together.
When Soma Yukihira saw Hoshino Sora, he immediately came down to invite him to a cooking battle, and since Hoshino Sora had nothing to do all day, he followed him to the Polar Star Dormitory kitchen.
Tadokoro Megumi, who had been standing beside him, watched their backs with a faint, gentle look in her eyes.
"Megumi, let's go weed the fields together."
"Okay, wait for me to change clothes in my room. I'll be right there."
Looking at Yoshino Yuki, who was dressed simply and standing with Sakaki Ryoko, Tadokoro Megumi responded loudly, then trotted upstairs, preparing to change into clothes suitable for farming.
Inside Polar Star Dormitory, the laughter of Hoshino Sora and Soma Yukihira was constant. Finally, Isshiki Satoshi, Fumio Grandmother, and Tadokoro Megumi served as the judges, with Hoshino Sora winning again as the final outcome.
Days passed simply and unremarkably.
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