Chapter 42 - 42 Teng Niu Badge
Chapter 42: Teng Niu Badge
Translator: 549690339
After introducing the dish, Qin Lang stepped aside, waiting for Fu Hang to review it.
However, he could still smell the strong scent in the air, causing an almost imperceptible twitch on his face.
Indeed, the aroma of the Silky Egg Beef was alluring, but the Beef Fruit Package cooked in the oven surpassed it by far in terms of fragrance intensity.
This was the difference made by the cooking method, and it was unavoidable.
The aroma of Tang Xie’s dish would to some extent mask and impact the presentation of the aroma of the Silky Egg Beef.
However, the most impressive aspect of Silky Egg Beef lies in its flavours and texture.
Thinking about these, Qin Lang felt more confident.
He should pass, right?
While Qin Lang was seemingly calm but nervous inside, Fu Hang also began his appraisal.
After rinsing his mouth with a special mouthwash that he had prepared in advance to remove any lingering taste left by Tang Xie’s Beef Fruit Package, Fu Hang began to seriously observe the dish called Silky Egg Beef, which was made by Qin Lang.
A moment later, astonishment could be seen in his eyes.
Although the aroma had been somewhat affected, as he approached, he still clearly identified the unique aroma of Silky Egg Beef hidden beneath the strong scent of the Beef Fruit Package.
The smell of egg, green onion, and the umami of beef.
The perfect fusion of the three, like a gurgling spring in the mountains, did not create the overwhelming tidal waves as Beef Fruit Package did, but moisturized everything subtly, tickling Fu Hang’s olfactory nerves.
Under the light, the surface of the beef had a touch of lustrous sheen, looking tender and juicy, while the attached silky egg was a pale yellow, seemingly trembling slightly with Fu Hang’s intensifying breath.
It was difficult to imagine what the texture would be like once these silky eggs entered the mouth.
The vibrant green onions also seemed to add a touch of term to the dish, rendering the Silky Egg Beef with a vibrant color.
At this moment, Fu Hang only had one thought in his mind.
Eat!
He wanted to taste this dish he had never seen before and see what it tastes like!
First, he picked up a chopstick-full of Silky Egg Beef and put it into his mouth.
After a slight chew, Fu Hang’s eyes sparkled.
The Silky Egg Beef was mild in taste.
Besides salt and a little pepper, no other seasonings were added.
But mildness and savouriness did not conflict.
Upon entering the mouth, an incredibly rich savoury taste exploded in Fu Hang’s mouth.
The egg was extremely tender, releasing its aroma with every chew. The beef was tender and juicy, and the pure umami taste of beef overflowed in the mouth with every burst of juices.
This was a dish that provided Fu Hang with ultimate enjoyment in both flavour and texture.
More remarkably, it almost perfectly captured the original flavour of the beef.
This was completely contrary to the Beef Fruit Package cooked by Tang Xie.
The philosophy of beef cooking hidden in this dish resonated with Fu Hang, a Food Recommender who spent his lifetime pursuing higher quality beef.
After a bite, his gaze turned to the rice on the side.
This was the rice served by Qin Lang.
After tasting a bite of Silky Egg Beef, Fu Hang had an intuition that experiencing it with the rice would bring a more wonderful experience.
That being so…
He lifted the rice bowl in one hand, put a chopstick of Silky Egg Beef on the rice, letting the tiny amount of gravy from the Silky Egg Beef soak briefly into the rice, and then shoveled both into his mouth.
The soft eggs roamed freely among the elastic rice grains as he chewed, with the juices from the beef mixing with the rice.
The original aroma of the rice was completely released through this combination, bringing Fu Hang an incredible touch of delight.
“Good!”
He couldn’t help but shout out loud, then realizing his outburst, he swiftly cleared his throat to hide his excitement.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Fu Hang put down his chopsticks and left, returning quickly with two copper badges shimmering purple in the light. He handed them to Qin Lang and Tang Xie, “Your cooking has met my expectations; I’m presenting you both with the Teng Niu Badge.”
“Thank you.” Qin Lang accepted the badge and began to examine it closely.
Identical in shape and texture to the two badges he had received before, the design on the front of the Teng Niu Badge was dramatically different – a silhouette of a bull raising its foreleg, against the backdrop of a delicate marbling of beef.
The ribbon at the bottom carries an inscription, this time it reads “Dongxia City ?Teng Niu”.
This is Fu Hang’s exclusive badge, the Teng Niu Badge.
With the addition of Fish Scale, Daisy, and Teng Niu badges, Qin Lang is now eligible to enroll in the City-level Cooking Competition taking place four days later.
Thinking of this, he can’t help but break into a grin.
“Gudong!”
On the side, Dan Bao joyfully hoots.
Acquiring the Teng Niu Badge signifies it’s finally time to dig in!
“Eat up.” Qin Lang places another serving of Silky Egg Beef in front of Dan Bao, filling up its bowl heartily.
Watching the little creature relishing its meal, he feels an inner joy.
Discounting the badge, on the other hand, Tang Xie seems somewhat absent-minded.
He notices the unusual reaction of Fu Hang when tasting Qin Lang’s cuisine.
“Mr. Fu Hang, hold on a moment.” After a moment of pondering, he can’t help but call out to Fu Hang, “In your opinion, who cooked the more delicious dish, me or young brother Qin Lang?”
“Huh?” Fu Hang glanced at Tang Xie, “This isn’t Food Fight, there’s no need for such a declaration.”
“But 1 want to know.” Tang Xie persisted.
“Then it depends on whether Qin Lang wants to know or not.” Fu Hang looked towards Qin Lang.
“I also want to know.” Qin Lang chuckled, intrigued.
He had already noticed the dishes Tang Xie made.
A fusion of something like a hamburger and a Wellington steak—it was quite intriguing.
He wondered which would be more delicious in Fu Hang’s eyes.
“If the two of you have no objections, then I’ll say it.” Fu Hang scanned the two of them, then spoke without hesitation, “Given the choice between the two dishes, I’d prefer Qin Lang’s Silky Egg Beef.”
Such a response brought more joy to Qin Lang, but left Tang Xie somewhat dejected.
Although he realized from Fu Hang’s reactions while tasting both dishes, he had sort of anticipated it.
But at the moment Fu Hang announced it, he found it incomprehensible.
Wasn’t his Beef Fruit Package superior in flavor?
And the ingredients Qin Lang used to cook his dish were so basic…
What kind of magic did his Silky Egg Beef possess?
While Tang Xie was still stunned, a bowl of rice topped with a thick layer of Silky Egg Beef and a pair of chopsticks was put in front of him.
“Want to taste?” Qin Lang offered with a friendly smile.
“…Okay.”
Tang Xie took the chopsticks and bowl and with an inquisitive mind, he started to earnestly taste the Silky Egg Beef.
After a few bites, his confusion turned into understanding.
This time around, he felt no regret about his defeat..