If you become a monster, you will succeed

Putting aside the small moves of Sun Xingzhe and the Cihang Gang, Xiong Shoushan and Chen Shanzang have also entered the middle game in the frontal competition.

Xiong Shoushan's work has already taken shape, it is a classic honey cake roll, and Chen Shanzang's steamed bun slices inserted into the iron and started to grill are enough to illustrate his work.

The three "jun" level judges are not picky about such works. After all, in a small place like Chanyuan County, I don't expect to be able to eat any dishes from world-famous chefs. I have to try them every day to keep my sense of taste. Sensitivity, and then find ways to get a higher professional title in the evaluation, going to big cities such as Longgong City and Tiangong City is their pursuit.

But it is precisely because of this that their evaluations must not make mistakes.

Ever since the Monkey King was implicated in Li Huang's case, all the gourmets in the Central Plains have become cautious about their words and deeds. Although the Zhao family's food appearance has become more and more ugly, it is the Zhao family's business. They, gourmets with no background, only understand that one thing--

If they don't make any mistakes, at most they will be put in the wrong shoes, but if they leave a little clue, their career may be cut off directly.

"What do you think of honey cake and toasted buns?"

Since there was no host or commentator, the three judges started chatting by themselves. The chubby judge on the left took a look at the progress of both parties and said softly:

"I know Xiong Shoushan. His honey cake is considered a unique skill. Although it cannot be said to be a top-notch dessert, it should be no problem to pass the pre-selection in the Longmen Pastry Competition."

When the judge sitting in the middle heard this, he shrugged his nose and shook his head and said: "The smell of fighting is not just about the taste, but also about the question. Xiong Shoushan's honey cake roll is too smoky. I'm worried that it will overwhelm the winner in the end. , then it won’t be clear whether the snacks are baked or smoked.”

"This is not Xiong Shoushan's first day of fighting. He shouldn't have made such an obvious mistake." The judge on the right who started the topic denied it, but the fat judge on the left unexpectedly said:

"So you are also optimistic about Xiong Shoushan?"

"No, I'm more optimistic about the little bald one." The judge on the right looked at Chen Shanzang who started to brush the egg white on the steamed bun slices, and said in a leisurely tone.

"Him?" The fat judge's tone was a bit disdainful, "Just these baked bun slices, if nothing else, the taste alone can't be better than the cake, right?"

This is not biased, but rather the limitation of fighting spirit itself.

Just like Yingzhou cuisine, it is easy to gain popularity among the people because of its exquisite presentation and deliberately high style. However, in major competitions, Yingzhou cuisine rarely wins.

There is balance in the game, but reality does not require it. Dishes are inherently suitable for fighting and not suitable for fighting.

Carefully cooked boiled cabbage is not as easy to capture the taste buds of the judges as stir-fried twice-cooked pork.

It is not impossible to defeat the carefully seasoned Buddha Jumping Wall with plain sashimi, but that can only be due to the crushing level. Unless the other party makes a major mistake that topples the salt shaker at the same level, the moment the dish is decided, the competition will be over. There's no more suspense.

Nowadays, the performance of the two contestants is similar. Cake vs. steamed buns. When the theme is dim sum, steamed buns are inherently at a disadvantage.

The judge on the right was noncommittal about this statement. He just maintained his calm eyes, always watching Chen Shanzang's every move, and said in a faint tone:

"You might as well calm down and watch this little bald man's movements."

"Calm down?" Although he was not very optimistic about the baked bun slices, the fat judge did not refuse. He used his mental skills to calm down the restlessness in his heart, let his spirit slow down and calm down, and then turned his attention to the little bald head.

But the scene in front of him didn't change much.

Chen Shanzang was just like an ordinary person, slicing up leftover steamed buns and grilling them, without any distinguishing features at all.

"Nothing special."

Before the fat judge could speak, the judge in the middle spoke first. The judge on the right did not deny this statement, but nodded and said:

"Yes, there is nothing special about it. From the moment you knead the dough, it looks ordinary. But why can't we find fault with the 'steamed buns' that have no special characteristics?"

With one word to wake up the dreamer, the other two judges finally realized the blind spot.

Although they haven't tasted it yet, being able to get the title "Jun" means that they have considerable experience in tasting, and they can basically tell the pros and cons of ordinary dishes at a glance.

But what they discussed was that the steamed buns were not as good as the cakes, rather than what was wrong with the little bald man's method. This was a bit intriguing.

"Using ordinary techniques, he can make steamed buns with no faults. I suddenly look forward to what kind of steamed buns this little bald man can serve."

The fat judge had no tendency to do so, and after realizing that he had made an empiricist error, he couldn't help but look forward to it.

It was true that this small place in Chanyuan County had been peaceful for so long that he had not looked forward to the surprise that the next meal would bring for a long time.

"I finished!"

Suddenly, Xiong Shoushan raised his hand. In front of him, on each of the five plates, there was a piece of light brown mosquito-repellent incense-shaped cake.

In terms of shape, this is undoubtedly a classic cake roll, but if you look closely, you will find that the surface of these cake rolls is coated with a layer of crystal clear film.

"Xiong's Honey Baked Cake Roll, please taste it, judges."

Xiong Shoushan glanced at Chen Shanzang, who was still slowly spreading the barbecue ingredients, with a sneer in his heart. Counting the time, the two of them were now at the last moment.

With a vague glance at the ventilation equipment of the venue, Xiong Shoushan handed the cake to the staff. Chen Shanzang was completely unmoved by this. He sat quietly in front of his small briquette stove and kept turning the buns in his hand. piece.

Although in major food-themed film and television works, there is always an unspoken rule that the first to win must lose, but it essentially serves the tension of the plot. This is just like the so-called finale and the main axis in the past. Well Why should the program be put at the back? Just to avoid watching the best program, only to end up with the rest being boring.

You put out the winner’s dish first, then do you also want to show the loser’s work? What should I praise after coming on stage? That's exaggerated. How come the work that was so understated before can win? If the exaggeration is exaggerated, the outcome will be known at a glance, and there will be no suspense in the subsequent announcement of the result.

But the reality is exactly the opposite. All the above reasons why film and television works should be weak first and then strong can be seamlessly transformed into proof that they should be strong first and then weak in reality.

If the strong one goes first, he can occupy the taste buds of the judges first and weaken the impact of subsequent dishes. This is the most effective among similar dishes.

For example, if you serve the same spicy dish first, even if the judges rinse their mouths and put ginger in their mouths, the taste will be a bit weaker when your opponent serves the dish.

Although this time the comparison is about snacks, the fatigue that sweetness brings to the palate is far greater than the spicy taste that affects pain!

The three judges could naturally see this strategy, but they didn't care. In the final analysis, this approach did not violate the rules of Dou Wei. In other words, the cooking speed itself is also a part of the cooking level. If you can't compete with others in terms of speed, , the taste can't break through the blockade set by the former, then you deserve to lose!

Three cake rolls were placed in front of the table, and the staff in charge of photography focused on them. The judge sitting in the middle took the lead in picking up a fork and gently pressed the surface of the cake that could smell the rich honey aroma.

A slight feeling of cracking was transmitted from the fork to the fingertips. The judge in the middle raised his eyebrows. Instead of cutting off a piece in a more polite way, he inserted the entire cake roll like an anime character forking a whole piece of steak. At the mouth, when the teeth bite together, the first thing that comes to mind is not the softness of the cake, but...

"Crack!"

The crispy feeling spreads from the teeth. Under the thin crispy crust, the soft bread also provides the ultimate contrast. The soft and fluffy butter has a slightly light taste, but just enough to balance out the slightly sweeter crispy crust.

The whole-egg-whipped cake is mixed with the moisture of honey. As the lips and teeth are squeezed, the smoky flavor that penetrates into the gaps in the cake also evaporates.

But the smoky caramel-like flavor and the sugar shell coating the surface have a kind of innate bond, and they easily complete the unity of taste, just like the smooth and delicate quilt cover combines the fluffy and soft quilt. Wrap the core and hold it in your arms, warm and comfortable.

"Not bad... the sugar is actually plated on the cake in a smoking method. It is baked and smoked at the same time. It will not affect the baking, nor will the sugar shell on the outside melt due to heat. Such exquisite control, without After ten years of hard work, you will definitely not be able to do it!”

The fat judge had an expression of approval on his face. Even aside from the competition question, this piece of cake roll was considered delicious.

The corners of Xiong Shoushan's mouth were raised high. He could already faintly smell the "strange fragrance" coming from the venue next door. But before he could turn his head and cast a provocative look at Chen Shanzang, the little bald man raised his head. Raise your arms——

"I'm done here too!"

When the three judges heard this, they did not delay. They immediately picked up the ginger slices prepared by Douwei Field to reset the taste buds and put them in their mouths. By the time the staff served Chen Shanzang's dishes, they had already finished the tea. The process of gargling turns my attention to Chen Shanzang’s works.

But in terms of appearance, Chen Shanzang's baked bun slices are not outstanding, and can even be said to be a bit shabby. The half-palm-sized bun slices are roasted to a crispy brown color. Although there is no trace of charcoal ash on them, it is an advantage, but that's all. That’s all.

how to say?

It's a bit flattering to say that it's quite satisfactory. Just from the appearance, the steamed buns produced on the assembly line in the factory will not be any worse than it.

However, the three judges did not show any disdain at this time. Even the fat judge showed a dignified look.

Again, there is nothing special about the dishes, but they can't find fault with them. This in itself is already very abnormal.

Give it a try.

The judge on the right who was the first to notice Chen Shanzang’s specialness stretched out his chopsticks to pick up the steamed bun slices. He was careful not to damage the outer structure.

This is not unfounded worry, but the ethics that a food reviewer should have. After all, no one knows whether the seemingly ordinary brown shell embodies the chef's whims.

Bring the steamed bun slices to your mouth and bite down with your teeth. A subtle hardness spreads out with the force. The loose structure brings a subtle frosting feeling, followed by a flexible resistance.

What follows is a faint salty taste that spreads on the tip of the tongue. A pinch of salt is mixed with the tasteless egg white, and under the temperature art called barbecue, a wonderful veil is constructed.

Xiong Shanjun's sweet cake did not pose any obstacle, because the cake made by Chen Shanzang was salty from the beginning.

The memory of a little sweetness that still lingers after gargling has become the aftertaste that accentuates the salty flavor.

The outer layer of gauze was torn open, revealing the soft inner lining. The precise heat control and the protection of the egg white allowed the moisture to remain on the surface, but under the crispy outer skin, the inside was still a "steamed bun".

It obviously has no taste, but its soft yet tough texture makes people unable to resist chewing it, and as the chewing continues, a hint of sweetness overflows from it.

Under the seemingly rough appearance, it is like a delicate matryoshka doll. It needs to be slowly uncovered layer by layer to feel the fun inside.

However, there are different ways to eat dim sum. Some people like to savor it carefully, and of course there are those who like to chew peonies. As a judge, naturally you cannot judge from one angle.

After chewing slowly and feeling the core of the work, the fat judge looked at the remaining half of the steamed bun slices in his hand, threw it directly into his mouth, and started chewing it.

This tasting seemed rude, but the other two judges clearly noticed that the partner was chewing slower and slower, as if out of control, and began to savor the food carefully.

But he didn't speak, and the two of them didn't know why, so they followed his example and threw the steamed bun slices directly into their mouths.

ordinary.

This is the first impression.

The main theme of the taste is the uncharacteristic salty taste and the spiciness brought by a small amount of cumin powder. The taste is similar to fried steamed bun slices, and it has no other characteristics except a uniform texture.

But how can I put it, this kind of plain feeling seems to have the magic power to be compatible with everything, making people unable to help but want to eat it with something else.

It is precisely because it is bland that it can be used in many ways. As the chewing continued, all kinds of delicacies that the judges had eaten began to emerge, such as fish roe, foie gras, garlic, hot sauce...

The flavors of various side dishes and condiments hit the judges' taste buds in the way of memories, and then mixed with the slightly bland grilled bun slices, turning into a richer memory.

"call……"

The three judges woke up one after another and breathed a long sigh of relief in unison. In this short time of half a mouthful of steamed buns, they seemed to sort out their memories of the delicious food they had eaten.

He picked up the tea cup on the table and took a sip of tea, savoring the non-existent residue on his tongue. The three judges did not hesitate. Only the middle judge asked Chen Shanzang before the staff asked for a vote:

"Does this toasted steamed bun slice have a name?"

"Name? This is a grilled steamed bun slice! Do you need a name?" Chen Shanzang asked cutely, but the judges who spoke were stunned, with words such as "memory", "reminiscence" and "memory of food" in their minds. Names like these shattered into pieces, leaving only the feeling of returning to one's original nature.

He exchanged looks with the other two judges, and then laughed at the same time. Before the staff could ask, the outcome of this fight was no longer in suspense——

"The winner, Chen Shanzang!"

"I don't accept it!"