The method for making Green Grass Dumplings was very simple—so simple that it didn't even require any special tools.
First, the sun-dried pasture grass was blanched in hot water, then the excess moisture was squeezed out by hand.
A small amount of soda water was added, and the mixture was either mashed into a paste or finely chopped.
After that, glutinous rice flour was wrapped around it, kneaded evenly just like dough.
Then some filling suitable for Skiddo to eat was added, the seasoning adjusted slightly, and it could be placed into the steamer.
Beside him, Diantha mimicked Silas's movements, not caring in the slightest about her identity as a celebrity actress.
She found the process rather novel, learning from Silas step by step—doing whatever he did.
A genuinely relaxed smile appeared on her face.
Before long, the first steamer of Green Grass Dumplings was finished.
The outer skin was soft, chewy, and lightly sweet, with a sweet filling inside.
Of course, while certain Pokémon would love this kind of dish, it was not something humans could eat.
Once it entered the mouth, there was a bitter taste that made it hard to swallow.
"Peh, peh, peh! This tastes awful."
Diantha tried a bite. Her pretty face scrunched up tightly, and she spat a few times in succession before finally feeling better.
Silas shrugged at the side. "I told you earlier it tasted bad. You just didn't believe me."
"It's my first time making a dish like this—of course I wanted to try it!" Diantha rolled her eyes at Silas as she spoke, then took out a Poké Ball from her waist. "Gourgeist, come out!"
"Gour~ Gour!"
A flash of light from the Poké Ball, and a new Pokémon appeared.
Its overall shape resembled a hollow jack-o'-lantern. Its round body was carved with an exaggerated 'ghost face,' within which cold flames flickered and burned.
At the top of the pumpkin lantern was a curved stem, which split into vine-like arms on both sides.
The newly appeared Gourgeist affectionately rubbed against Diantha. Not far away, three pairs of eyes turned toward them—eyes that had caught the scent of food.
Gourgeist was a rather peculiar Pokémon, with four different size forms.
Diantha's was the large variant form, looking much like an adult.
Using its vines, Gourgeist picked up a Green Grass Dumpling from Diantha's hand and, under Diantha's expectant gaze, put it into its mouth.
Food that humans found difficult to swallow was something it happily gnawed on, eating with great relish.
After finishing one, it looked at Diantha again with longing eyes.
"Is it good?" Diantha asked.
"Gour! Gour!"
"Then try this one."
After taking a bite, Gourgeist spat it out, its expression twisting into a look of pure anguish.
Its little head couldn't understand—why did two foods that were clearly the same taste so drastically different?
The first one was incredibly delicious, while the latter was so bad even it could barely swallow it.
"Not good?" Diantha asked.
"Gour~"
Waving both hands, Gourgeist gestured emphatically, indicating that there was simply no comparison at all.
Diantha's gaze shifted slightly as she thought to herself, So this is the special ability Silas has mastered? How truly magical.
The first one fed to Gourgeist had been made by Silas, while the second was a one-to-one replica of his Green Grass Dumpling made by Diantha herself.
The same ingredients and the same steps, yet the results were completely different.
Dishes not personally made with Silas's involvement would never produce any special culinary effects.
Gourgeist opened both sides of its mouth, grabbing Green Grass Dumplings and stuffing them in, its eyes curving happily into crescents.
It failed to notice that behind it, the three Mudbray brothers had quietly crept close.
Their noses twitched in unison. "That's the smell—this is the ingredient Silas uses to make pumpkin porridge."
"Mud, Mud!" (A big moving pumpkin, here we come!)
One Mudbray suddenly dashed forward and, with its mouth wide open, bit down on Gourgeist.
Caught completely off guard by the sudden attack, Gourgeist panicked.
"Gour! Gour!" (A ghost! A ghost is biting me!)
With a whoosh, Gourgeist vanished in a flash, retreating straight back into its Poké Ball to hide.
"Mud~?" (Where did the pumpkin go?)
"Mud!" (I don't know!)
"Mud-mud-mud~" (It's all your fault, third brother! You were too slow and let the big pumpkin escape!)
Two of the three Mudbray turned to look at the smallest one among them.
"Mud! Mud!" (I clearly bit it! You can't blame me!)
"You three little troublemakers…"
Silas's voice sounded from behind as his big hands grabbed two of them, delivering a light knock on each of their heads.
"That wasn't a pumpkin just now—it was Diantha's Pokémon, Gourgeist."
"Mud?"
The Mudbray were shocked. Pumpkins could become Pokémon too?!
Then wouldn't they get revenge from Gourgeist?!
After all, they ate a pumpkin every single day—they had consumed so many of its children and grandchildren!
Mudbray Big Brother: "Mud! Mud! Mud!"
He puffed out his chest and knocked on it with his hoof, as if to say—
No need to be afraid. If Gourgeist dares to come back, we'll eat it too.
At the same time, on the other side.
Diantha had already soothed Gourgeist.
Who would have thought that a Ghost- and Grass-type Gourgeist would actually be afraid of ghosts? It was downright embarrassing for a ghost Pokémon.
After having the Mudbray apologize to Gourgeist together, this little farce finally came to an end.
An entire steamer of Green Grass Dumplings was given to Gourgeist to eat. As for the remaining hundred or so raw dumplings, Silas wrapped them up carefully and placed them in the refrigerator.
John would come to pick them up tomorrow—he would just need to steam them before eating.
After putting away all the Green Grass Dumplings, it was already about noon, and it was time for Silas to start cooking again.
He had Minccino bring Smoliv out to keep the guests company while he went into the kitchen, staring at the ingredients in the freezer and thinking about what dishes to make.
"Cyc!"
At his feet, Cyclizar bit onto his pant leg, trying to grab Silas's attention.
"Don't mess around. I'm cooking right now—I don't have time to play with you."
He kicked his leg lightly, but seeing Cyclizar biting down tightly, Silas had no choice but to squat down and pat it helplessly to soothe it.
"Be good. Go out and play with Kangaskhan and the others first. I'll keep you company this afternoon."
Seeing it couldn't change his mind, Cyclizar squatted down at the kitchen doorway.
Silas then took out the ingredients he would be using for lunch.
At noon today, not only would Diantha be eating—her Pokémon would be as well.
The lunch needed to be plentiful and delicious, focusing on restoring stamina and energy.
Pan-seared meat steaks with a Stamina Recovery (Large) dish effect were indispensable, and a mixed berry platter suitable for many different Pokémon tastes was a must.
In addition, there would be a simple, refreshing smashed cucumber dish, an icy, beauty-enhancing honey pomelo drink, and as the main course, a large seafood pizza.
With an oven available, making pizza became much simpler.
The dough was kneaded and left to ferment, then rolled out into a crust with a rolling pin. The back side was evenly coated with a layer of shredded cheese.
Then, in layers, the pre-marinated seafood was arranged—shrimp, squid rings, and clam meat, all common seafood that Minccino and the others had gathered while foraging along the shore.
Naturally, some green vegetables for seasoning couldn't be omitted. Bell pepper rings and onion shreds were spaced out between layers, followed by another sprinkle of shredded cheese and black pepper.
Only then was it complete, pushed into the oven and set to slow-bake for thirty minutes.
During the process, it was taken out several times and misted with water so the surface would become even crispier and more appetizing.
At the very end, just before serving, melted garlic butter prepared in advance was drizzled over it.
Only then could a seafood pizza truly be considered finished.
Before Silas's eyes, a panel notification window appeared at the same time.
(End of Chapter)