Chapter 5, Selecting Ingredients

Delaying for a day increases Gu Zheng's pressure by a fraction; he has only three days to conquer the taste buds of three individuals, creating what they will consider the best food of their lives. Otherwise, he will face obliteration

This is quite a good Malaysian swallow's nest. Although it is a white nest, it is already quite rare. How can its grade be considered trash?

Time is of the essence; he cannot afford to waste a single moment

Raw sesame oil is considered to have a cooling nature and is consumed to dispel heat. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Additionally, raw sesame oil can serve as fuel; when ignited, it provides illumination while emitting a clear fragrance. Many people donate some sesame oil when they go to temples to burn incense or fulfill vows, ensuring that the perpetual lamp before the Buddha remains lit. Some individuals, who do not bring sesame oil, will donate money instead, which is also referred to as incense oil money

The value of this bird's nest is quite high, and Gu Zheng himself can identify many ingredients, which indicates that this is truly a good bird's nest. I initially thought he would at least be able to identify a second-rate result, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be garbage

The so-called fragrance wafting three hundred miles from an opened bottle is undoubtedly an exaggerated description, yet it also illustrates the intensity of the aroma of this essential oil

Only a few small items remained before Gu Zheng.

After going to the market for a short while, Gu Zheng's heart began to scream incessantly. Many ingredients were directly classified as garbage, and there were even toxic ingredients. This did not surprise Gu Zheng, but he was taken aback to find that the bird's nest, a high-quality product from Malaysia, was also considered a garbage ingredient.

Fresh peas, almonds, inferior

The method of making sesame oil differs somewhat from that of other oils; it is not simply a process of pressing oil. Sesame oil is divided into raw sesame oil and cooked sesame oil, both made from sesame seeds. White sesame seeds are lightly roasted and then cold-pressed. The oil extracted is clear and bright, with a slight yellow hue. It does not have a strong aroma, but instead possesses a unique and delicate fragrance, which is characteristic of raw sesame oil

This is a jar of sorghum, which Gu Zheng purchased online. The seller claimed that it is homegrown, completely natural sorghum, without the use of any chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and it is cultivated beside a mountain spring, resulting in an excellent flavor. Initially, Gu Zheng was not entirely convinced, but seeing the seller's impressive description and the reasonable price, he decided to buy a jar, having never tried it before.

Listening to various trashy and lowly evaluations amidst the ongoing disputes, he generally picks up many things only to set them down again, wandering through the market in a superficial manner. He feels increasingly despondent about this large market, which he frequents the most and has previously found quite satisfactory.

Roasted sesame oil, also known as small-milled sesame oil, is produced by roasting sesame seeds and then pressing them. After pressing, it undergoes a process involving stone grinding and various techniques, with hundreds of steps involved, extracting the oil gradually through repeated milling. The stone grinding process is highly intricate, and only skilled old craftsmen can produce authentic small-milled sesame oil. This type of sesame oil is yellow-brown in color, with a rich aroma that can be sensed from three hundred miles away upon opening the bottle

That evening, Gu Zheng did not stay with the three individuals. After sending them off, he immediately called for a car to go to the market. The examination was so rigorous that Gu Zheng was unsure of the criteria used by the Immortal Chef to classify the quality of ingredients. If he could not find enough usable ingredients, he would fail this examination as well

Moreover, the high-quality olive oil in his kitchen has been rated as inferior, and the salt, vinegar, and soy sauce are all of poor quality, making it impossible to cook.

Spinach, fermented black beans, garbage

In order to preserve himself and to avoid being erased, Gu Zheng had no choice but to go all out

The esteemed Master of Gastronomy has a very strict classification of ingredients; if something is drooling, how can it not be considered trash? You may wish to consume such inferior ingredients, but they are absolutely not permitted for this trial

The things made by Gu Zheng are inherently delicious. I have never tasted them, but I am certain they are the best. If such delicious food truly exists, waiting an extra day is of no consequence. I have great trust in Gu Zheng and the others; after so many years together, we understand each other well. Gu Zheng never boasts; when he makes a promise, he definitely delivers.

Sesame oil, inferior quality

Wang Tao walked over to fetch water, standing at the kitchen door, looking at him with confusion. If it weren't for the knowledge that Gu Zheng did not like anyone nearby while cooking, and even forbade entry into the kitchen, they would have come over to help long ago

"We will not be cooking today, as we do not have enough supplies at home. You all go out to eat first. Tomorrow, come over in the evening, and I will prepare an absolutely sumptuous meal, guaranteed to be a delicacy you have never tasted before!"

The organizers initially stated that the collection of this honey is extremely difficult. In the mountainous regions of Yunnan and Guizhou, there is a rare flower known as the red silk flower. The nectar of this flower is different from that of other flowers; it not only carries a profound fragrance but also has the ability to refresh the mind and nourish the brain. The more one inhales its scent, the more invigorated one feels. Working under this flower can lead to twice the result with half the effort.

The wild ginseng beside it was the most unexpected thing for the ancient dispute.

When Gu Zheng spoke these words, he was almost gritting his teeth. A skilled woman cannot cook without rice; this damned test is so strict that it is simply impossible to achieve with just these resources at hand, and the only option is to postpone it for another day

The oil at the Gu family is of inferior quality, yet this bottle is of second-rate quality. Could it be that this is better than the pure sesame oil ground by hired hands for his wages?

Wang Tao felt a slight disappointment, but soon became incredibly excited, as Gu Zheng had promised to prepare a meal they had never tasted before, and guaranteed it would be the most delicious delicacy.

Sesame oil, also known as fragrant oil, sesame oil, and other names, has a long history in the country, with evidence of its consumption dating back to the Three Kingdoms period

The quantity of red silk flowers is limited, and the amount of honey that can be harvested each year is very small, making it extremely expensive. The prize offered by the organizers is only one hundred milliliters, and an additional fifty milliliters have already been consumed by Gu Zheng over the course of the year. The taste is quite pleasant and also invigorating, making this one of the most important items in Gu Zheng's collection of ingredients

"Gu Zheng, what are you doing? Why haven't you started yet?"

Currently, most sesame oil on the market is blended. Even those labeled as small-batch fragrant oil are either counterfeit or blended with inferior oils. It is very difficult to find pure small-batch fragrant oil.

Next to the honey is a wild ginseng, pure wild ginseng that has been around for several decades. This is an ingredient left behind by Gu Zheng's father. Gu Zheng's father would return for a period each year to live with his son, and this was used as a supplementary ingredient for making soup.

An ordinary ingredient, combined with three secondary ingredients from the water source, and two secondary seasonings, is all that Gu Zheng could find after searching through his entire home for usable ingredients. With such a small amount, it is insufficient for even one person, let alone three, and it is simply impossible to prepare the food he desires.

Among all the ingredients, only this one has been rated as ordinary

A bottle containing only fifty milliliters of honey, this honey is the reward that Gu Zheng received during a culinary competition evaluation, and it is the highest award, just this little bit

The voice of the spirit is quite plain, yet seems to carry a hint of arrogance

As he instinctively set down a bottle, Gu Zheng, who was just about to leave, suddenly turned around. He had already been walking for half an hour and had picked up hundreds of ingredients. This was the first instance of second-rate ingredients he had encountered today

In that case, very well!

"You are ruthless!" Gu Zheng was momentarily stunned, then cursed under his breath and fell silent.

Honey collected from red honeysuckle flowers is more fragrant and sweeter than ordinary honey. Most importantly, taking a sip of this honey allows its fragrance to penetrate the heart, uplifting the spirit and providing energy throughout the day

Wild ginseng and sorghum are both considered inferior ingredients, along with two bottles of seasoning that Gu Zheng's father brought back from abroad, which were also rated as inferior

Even pure sesame oil is merely a low-grade ingredient. Gu Zheng's family possesses authentic pure sesame oil, and it is a full barrel weighing ten jin. Gu Zheng personally witnessed the grinding process at a small sesame oil shop. After paying for the raw materials and labor, he ensured that all waste was taken away, thus avoiding any adulteration and obtaining genuine sesame oil.

This is an ordinary glass bottle containing 250 milliliters of yellow-brown scented oil. This shop also sells various types of oils, exuding a strong aroma of oil.