The Moment Of Truth

Look left; look right. 

Mushrooms, Thyme, Basil, pepper, salt, oil, and other herbs.

All her ingredients were long washed.

Pap. Pap. Pap. Pap. Pap. 

Her fingers, blade, and board worked seamlessly with one other. 

'First, slice the brown mushrooms thinly, followed by the garlic, ginger...'

Mildred began instructing herself on what to do, finely processing each ingredient before her. 

And when she was some, she would push her ingredients into the few bowls before her. 

Those that would get used for the sauce went in one bowl, those for the fish in another, etc. 

Speaking of fish, because Okaru was going to prepare a dish with sweet potatoes, she allowed Okaru to have her portion of meat while she, in turn, took Okaru's fish.

And now, they both had backup ingredients lest they messed up on their first or second try.