A Test for Son-in-Law?
"Wow~"
"This is truly incredible."
"The taste is indeed special, with a light smoky flavor."
"It's richer than salmon sashimi, with a texture that feels like jelly. How should I describe it?"
"Hmm, let me think!"
"It's like solidified fat that melts in your mouth, no, it dissolves instantly!"
"And using aged whiskey at the end to remove the fishiness and add a touch of aroma, also making the fish meat more chewy."
"This method is really ingenious."
"You know, high-quality salmon has a thick layer of intermuscular fat, which is rare in fish."
"During the smoking process, the plant oils in the wood turn into tiny particles that attach to the fish meat and gradually penetrate it over time."
"In other words, the combination of fish, salt, and smoke balances nutrition and pushes the texture and flavor to the extreme."
"So, if you use whiskey, it can achieve..."
At this point, Zane suddenly stepped forward and gently covered her soft mouth with his hand.
"Mmph…"
Leonora trembled instantly.
"Don't speak, you're losing control. You need to calm down!"
Zane lowered his head slightly and whispered in her ear.
"Mm-hmm!"
Leonora quickly nodded.
After a moment, when Zane saw that she seemed to have calmed down, he released his hand.
"Well, whenever I taste delicious food, my mind suddenly lights up, and I start talking endlessly about all my thoughts and insights."
"So, please… understand."
Leonora's face turned slightly red as she spoke.
Even though she was over thirty and had experienced many things, for some reason, she felt embarrassed in front of Zane.
"It's okay, I have my reasons too."
"Even Mana can't resist my cooking, so it's no wonder you can't either!"
Zane shook his head and replied.
The Director bursts out of his clothes, Mana and Erina cause energy storms.
And Leonora, who isn't even a Nakiri by blood, also has a special ability.
In the original story, whenever she tastes delicious food, even though she isn't fluent in Japanese, she would activate her "Mouth Release Technique" and go on long-winded explanations of her thoughts!
Of course, to some extent, this reaction is considered a "cute" point.
...
Smoking, you could say, has a culinary significance and influence comparable to grilling, which impacted human civilization.
As a common food preservation method, smoking, drying, and pickling are all good methods.
But hot-smoked salmon can't be stored for long and is usually eaten soon after it's made.
"Zane?"
"Is controlling the internal moisture of the salmon important during smoking?"
Calming herself, Leonora blinked her bright eyes and asked Zane with a hint of a test.
"Of course it's important."
"The moisture content of the ingredient directly affects the smoking effect."
"If the surface is too wet, the flavor compounds in the smoke will drip off or evaporate before infusing the food."
"But if it's too dry, it won't transmit the flavor well."
"The best state is for the meat to feel slightly sticky but not wet."
Zane replied calmly.
"And what's the temperature for hot smoking?"
Satisfied with Zane's explanation, Leonora continued to ask.
"Cold smoking is generally 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, measured in days, weeks, or months."
"Hot smoking is usually around 50 degrees Celsius, but it's best to reach 60 degrees Celsius, measured in hours."
"With modern technology, there's also a new liquid smoking method. But this requires special equipment and professional knowledge, so most chefs rarely use it!"
"Good, good."
"As the Director said, your culinary skills are indeed strong!"
"No wonder Alice is always thinking about you, getting excited and admiring you when she mentions you!"
Hearing this, Leonora, a beautiful woman like a fairy, continued to scrutinize Zane calmly, her expression unchanged, as if time had stopped in the world.
Finally, she smiled softly and said.
Her reaction, her behavior, felt like a mother-in-law examining her son-in-law.
Zane smiled wryly, not responding. He had heard many such compliments lately, becoming somewhat numb.
Besides, she obviously knew these basics but pretended not to, just to test him!
...
As the atmosphere fell silent.
Leonora refocused on the smoked salmon and continued eating without hesitation.
The fish was smooth and delicate, blending the freshness of the sea, the richness of wood, and the fragrance of herbs into one!
Every bite layered fish, wood, and herb aromas, adding a mature beauty compared to other cooking methods.
Like a rich wine, unforgettable.
Zane's smoked salmon had conquered Leonora's taste buds.
This unique Nordic dish made her feel at home in a foreign land.
Finally, after thoroughly enjoying it, she finished the entire plate of smoked salmon.
"Chinese cuisine is very good."
"But as an Eastern Chinese, you have a high understanding of Nordic cuisine, which I admire."
"And honestly, your smoked salmon."
"The taste and quality surpass many restaurants in Northern Europe!"
With dreamy eyes, Leonora looked at Zane and couldn't help but smile softly.
"I was once a five-star hotel chef, and I've studied Nordic cuisine."
Zane shrugged, indifferent.
"Hehe, no matter what, you are indeed a charming man."
"You could rely on your looks, but you choose to rely on your talent. Your personality is as gentle and considerate as Alice says."
"If time could go back 20 years, I might have boldly pursued you then!"
Leonora covered her mouth, her heart fluttering.
They say to win a woman's heart, you must first conquer her stomach.
From the moment she entered the tavern, Zane became more likable, especially after experiencing his cooking, she had a lot of affection for him.
Although a married noblewoman.
Leonora had the least resistance to handsome "young men" like Zane.
In the original Autumn Selection, she publicly admitted her fondness for young men, a bold statement that her daughter Alice often mocked!
"Just kidding."
"It's just smoked salmon, nothing too fancy."
"At least in front of a fairy like you, this dish seems quite dull."
"Re…really? Am I as beautiful as you say?"
"I'm over thirty, not as young as I used to be. Are you just trying to make me happy?"
Leonora touched her face, her heart delighted.
Though she knew Zane's words might be sweet talk, she felt very happy and joyful!
"Of course, when you entered the tavern, it became much more radiant."
Zane continued.
His words made Leonora feel even more comfortable!
...
"Zane, what do you think of Alice?"
After calming down, Leonora didn't forget her other purpose for visiting the tavern.
"You mean Alice?"
Hearing this, Zane was slightly stunned.
He remembered Alice only visiting the tavern once and then not coming again.
And that time, Erina brought her. After tasting Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and seeing the sweet and sour ribs, she gained a new understanding of traditional cuisine!
Thinking about it, he missed her these days.
"Sometimes she can be childish, throwing tantrums, and acting impulsively."
"She has a strange sense of superiority about molecular cuisine but lacks understanding of common dishes!"
Zane thought for a moment and replied honestly.
"You're just pointing out her flaws?"
Leonora rolled her eyes at Zane and said, "She's my daughter, can't you say something nice?"
"Heh, she's straightforward. Compared to Erina, who prefers to endure everything, she's easier to get along with."
Zane said without hesitation.
"Is that so?"
"My daughter is like that."
"Though a young lady, she's not arrogant, never looking down on others."
Leonora blinked and smiled.
"I can see that with a gentle and kind mother like you, she must have been well brought up."
Although he vaguely understood Leonora's intentions, Zane continued to chat and laugh with her.
"Alright, you don't have to praise me anymore."
"After this brief interaction, I'm really satisfied with you!"
Of course, there's a limit to everything.
So, she tactfully stopped mentioning Alice and continued discussing cooking with Zane.
...
Because Zane often had unique insights into Nordic cuisine.
Whenever it involved this field, they had deep conversations.
This situation made Rindo, who hadn't left yet, feel increasingly bored, so she sat alone, drinking ginger soda.
Occasionally, she glanced at Leonora, showing a thoughtful expression.
Then, the two chatted endlessly.
Even Zane, who planned
to rest tonight, got interested and kept talking.
After more than an hour, they finally noticed how quickly time had passed.
"Talking with you is so interesting!"
"Zane, unfortunately, it's late, and I have things to do at Totsuki, so I must go."
Leonora stood up, smiled softly at Zane, and said.
"Mm, take care."
"Feel free to come to the tavern with Alice if you have time!"
Zane nodded.
Leonora still smiled as she looked at Zane, her eyes sparkling with an indescribable light.
Then she left, but at the door, she suddenly turned and said, "Will you be good to Alice in the future?"
"Huh?"
Zane was stunned, speechless!
What kind of drama is this?
"You're the first man Alice admires. Though I haven't been by her side lately, I can sense it."
Leonora seemed a bit jealous.
After all, she's her daughter, but as a mother, her place in Alice's heart seemed less than a tavern owner.
But after tonight, she understood Alice a bit more. Men like Zane are indeed attractive!
Finally, her beautiful eyes showed determination. Without waiting for Zane's response, she ran out.
Seeing this, Zane was speechless, wondering:
What exactly did Alice tell her mother these days?
...
"Sigh, these days!"
"Being handsome and talented is also a trouble."
Zane couldn't help but mutter.
Suddenly, he thought of Mana and Erina's mother-daughter relationship, which was always strained due to the God's Tongue curse.
But Leonora and Alice's relationship was very harmonious.
When Alice was 5, she always lived with Leonora. Even after going to Totsuki, they kept in touch through phone and video!
Facing their mother.
Erina would never express all her thoughts, but Alice would tell Leonora everything!
"Stop being smug. She's just using you to change her daughter."
Behind him, Rindo pouted and said.
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