Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　Looking at the few small crucian carp she had painstakingly caught in the basin, she found that their small size made processing them quite troublesome.

　Before going to find Bai Yuan, she had already marinated the cleaned fish with salt, pepper, ginger slices, and minced garlic.

　The rest is...

　Pick out the wild chrysanthemum and elm mushrooms from the ingredient basket, cut them into small pieces suitable for cooking, and then take out the akebia quinata hidden in the pot.

　This was discovered in the nearby mountains and forests. It is unknown how many years it has been growing. The vine is thick and strong, and it is twining around a tree.

　By the time she arrived, there were not many akebia fruits left, only a few that were difficult to pick from the vines at the top of the tree.

　But this didn't stump her. With her agile skills, she performed a monkey climbing a tree for everyone and collected all the remaining fruits.

　"It's a treasure that's hard to come by."

　Seeing the skin burst open, revealing the white jade-like fruit inside, Mito Ikumi couldn't help but sigh. Then she picked up her kitchen knife and swiftly cut it into small pieces, setting them aside for later use.

　Place the marinated fish in a pot, add stream water, just enough to cover the fish, bring to a boil over high heat, and skim off the foam.

　Add the prepared wild chrysanthemum greens and elm mushrooms, along with salt, chili, soy sauce, and cooking wine to create a simple base flavor. Then, simmer over low heat, keeping the broth at a gentle boil.

　"Without a stove, the flame is really hard to control. If only we had a barbecue grill."

　I looked at Erina Nakiri's barbecue grill with envy, wanting to borrow it, but I was too embarrassed to ask.

　Mito Ikumi ultimately chose to use Hisako.

　The fish is cooked using the hanging pot method. It is turned occasionally to ensure even heating.

　After the fish has boiled in the pot for a while, add the chopped akebia fruit to the pot to increase the sweetness of the soup base and make the flavor richer.

　Of course, Mito Ikumi didn't make the fish soup that Shirabuchi had suggested, even though that was indeed the best solution. She wanted to make something of her own.

　Therefore, after much deliberation, she decided to make a dish called stewed fish, and luckily she had brought most of the seasonings needed to make this dish.

　As for the lack of scallions and garlic, she traded them with others using a few harvested akebia quinata, since she only needed one.

　Having finished all that, all that was left was to wait. Mito Ikumi paced around her cooking area, glancing warily at the other students.

　At this moment, everyone present is in competition, and there's no guarantee that someone who can't finish their dish won't come and destroy someone else's.

　Therefore, you can't relax for a moment until the food is finished!

　"Teacher Bai Yuan, this is a fruitwood-infused fish porridge that I made. Please try it."

　At the same time, Hisako Shinto's fruitwood medicinal fish porridge was ready. She hung a towel on the handle and carried the casserole to Shirayuki.

　"Fruitwood and medicinal fish porridge, quite interesting."

　Shirabuchi watched as Hisako Shinto used her suitcase as a table and bent down to serve him porridge, an expression of interest appeared on his face.

　Through his long-term training, Hisako Shinto's understanding of medicinal cuisine has greatly improved, and the ruler played a significant role in this.

　So much so that she now feels incredibly ashamed whenever she sees Bai Yuan, and a certain part of her body is slightly burning. It's supposed to be a punishment, but it excites her!

　This feeling was strange, making her feel like a pervert, so Hisako didn't tell anyone about it and just silently bore it all herself.

　"Please, Professor Bai Yuan."

　"Please sit down. There's no need to be so nervous. I'll proceed with the review as usual."

　Seeing Hisako Shinto holding the bowl in both hands, her face exceptionally rosy, her gaze darting around and avoiding his eyes, Shirayu patted the chair and gestured for her to sit down.

　"Ah."

　Straightening her clothes, Hisako Shinoto let out a long breath and then sat down next to Shirayuki.

　However, her gaze remained fixed on the bowl of porridge in his hand, her fingers crumpling the hem of her clothes, looking extremely nervous.

　Bai Yuan remained half-lying down, only slightly propping himself up before scooping a spoonful of porridge into his mouth and savoring it.

　The milky white porridge exudes a faint aroma of rice and the refreshing scent of medicinal herbs.

　The long simmering of fish bones with various medicinal herbs infuses the broth with the mildness of cardamom, the sweetness of yam, the warmth of dried ginger, and the invigorating properties of dried tangerine peel.

　These flavors permeate each other, creating distinct layers that form the core base of the fish congee.

　"Indeed, it seems that all the hard work over this period of time has not been in vain, and the punishment with the ruler has not been for nothing."

　Putting aside other things, you've completely mastered the basics of medicinal food combinations and can skillfully apply them to cooking, which is highly commendable.

　Savoring the flavor spreading in his mouth, Bai Yuan praised it generously, saying that he scooped up a fish slice from the porridge, which was the essence of the fish porridge.

　Marinating with sesame oil not only adds an enticing aroma to the fish slices, but also cleverly locks in the moisture of the fish, making each slice exceptionally tender and juicy, fully absorbing the flavor of the porridge.

　This texture and flavor demonstrate the precise control of the cooking time. Only by adding the fish slices at the most appropriate moment can they be made tender yet slightly chewy.

　Adding them too early will cause them to fall apart, while adding them too late will result in them not being cooked through. Only by adding them at the perfect time can the fish fillets achieve their optimal texture!

　Chapter 106 Hisako, you're always slacking off, that won't do!

　"If possible, you can actually add a Schisandra chinensis when cooking porridge."

　Schisandra chinensis has a sour, sweet, and warm nature, and is associated with the lung, heart, and kidney meridians. Its flavor is primarily sour and sweet, and adding it to porridge can effectively harmonize the overall taste.

　After finishing the porridge in his hand and savoring the nuances of its flavors, Bai Yuan offered his insightful opinion.

　You don't need to add too much, just one grain will do, and the flavor of the porridge will be more harmonious.

　"But I didn't bring any Schisandra chinensis with me this time, so even if I wanted to use it, I couldn't. This is a limitation imposed by objective conditions."

　Hisako Niito argued that she knew schisandra berries could balance the flavor of the porridge, and she had thought of that when cooking. The problem was that even a skilled cook can't make a meal without ingredients!

　"Have you forgotten where you are? Hisako, I've been telling you to learn about the geographical distribution of medicinal herbs for ages, but you're always slacking off. That won't do!"

　However, when Shirai heard Hisako Shinto's words, he did not show any agreement. Instead, he frowned and asked a question.

　"This is the riverbank..."

　As if remembering something, Hisako Shinoto's voice suddenly softened until it was completely inaudible...

　"The medicinal herb Schisandra chinensis usually grows in shrubs along riverbanks and at the edges of forests."

　Bai Yuan put down the bowl in his hand and sat up from the chair. He sniffed, searching for subtle changes in the fragrance in the air, and finally came to a bush.

　"If you can thoroughly learn all the assignments I give you, instead of thinking that you've learned them enough, wouldn't you be able to make a better dish this time?"

　Bai Yuan's voice was stern, yet also revealed a hint of helplessness.

　In fact, he could roughly understand Hisako Shinto's idea: as long as you make dishes and understand the properties of medicinal herbs, it doesn't matter where they grow.

　Indeed, chefs generally do not need to find medicinal herbs themselves.

　We live in the modern era, not the ancient one. With convenient transportation and fast delivery, some of the things we taught in the past need to be adjusted.

　Perhaps he's a bit old-fashioned...

　"I'm sorry, Professor Bai Yuan, I have let you down."

　Hisako Shinoto clenched her fists slightly, a look of shame on her face. She then turned around and looked around. When she found that no one was paying attention to them, she turned away.

　"what are you doing?"

　Seeing Hisako Shirato suddenly turn her back to him, Shirayuki frowned slightly, wondering what she was doing.

　"Isn't the punishment supposed to be given?"

　"Hurry up, Teacher Bai Yuan! I don't know when someone will come, and I feel so embarrassed."

　Hisako Shinoto twisted her body, her words tinged with embarrassment. It was the first time she had done this in public, and her legs felt a little weak.

　"The way you're saying it makes me sound like a pervert."

　Looking at the beautiful girl in front of him who had turned her head, her cheeks flushed and her expression shy, Bai Yuan was also touched.

　Especially since this guy lowered his body slightly and sticked out his rear end, presenting himself in an S-shaped curve, no matter who saw it, they probably wouldn't refuse to touch the fleshiest part of his body.

　However, in public, he would not resort to violence unless he was extremely angry.

　"No need. When you get back tonight, copy down the most common medicinal herbs and their locations from the herbal classic ten times as punishment."

　Bai Yuan said coldly, but in his heart he still felt that the early education methods should be followed. Understanding the growing areas of medicinal herbs is beneficial and harmless to chefs who specialize in medicinal cuisine.

　After all, his expectations for Hisako Shirato were not for her to be an ordinary master chef, but for her to be a high-star master chef.

　Instead of cramming for these things when you need them in the future, it's better to lay a solid foundation now while you still have the time. As the saying goes, a tall building starts from the ground up.

　"Alright, let's go to the car and learn. You should be able to find relevant information on your phone."

　After saying that, Bai Yuan left, leaving behind Hisako Shinto, her face flushed, standing there. Feeling the river breeze blowing in her face, the girl suddenly felt a little confused.

　What?! She was all ready, and he's not even going to fight?! What is this, just sitting around?!

　Watching Bai Yuan's departing figure, Shinoto Hisako stomped her foot, her face turning exceptionally red, whether from anger or embarrassment was unclear.

　"Without punishment, there is no way to learn from mistakes. It is precisely because I want to improve so much that I want to be punished by Teacher Bai Yuan."

　Watching Shirai Abyss gradually disappear into the distance, Hisako Shinto seemed to realize something, her face flushed red to the roots of her ears, and then she muttered something in a low voice, trying to cover it up.

　Shirato Hisako's girlish thoughts were of no concern to Shirato, otherwise he would have certainly indulged her desires and given her a good beating.

　At this moment, Bai Yuan walked towards his seat while taking out his phone to think about the lesson and then began entering his grades.

　Nito Hisako, 68 points.

　If we take Alice Nakiri's cooking as the standard, then Hisako Shirato's level is probably only passing, reaching the peak of second-level cooking.

　If you add Schisandra chinensis, the score will be around 75 points.

　Sometimes, adding just one ingredient can completely transform the flavor, and that's the charm of cooking.

　"So, what is your dish?"

　Looking at Erina Nakiri standing in his spot waiting for him, Hakugen looked into her eyes and asked her this question.

　"I made a clam chowder, which brings together all the freshness of the river in this bowl. Please enjoy, Chef Bai Yuan."

　As she spoke, Erina Nakiri handed the rich, savory soup to Shiro, her face beaming with confidence.

　"A thick soup? That's a standard French dish, but I never expected you to carry so many ingredients with you. No wonder you brought so many bags this morning."

　Thinking back to the large bags and bundles that Nakiri Erina and Akito Hisako had carried when they met before setting off, a look of realization dawned on Bai Yuan's face.

　While it may be considered a shortcut to some extent, the advance preparation also reveals the chef's quality.

　"I never fight a battle I'm not sure I can win. Rather than searching for ingredients everywhere, I'd rather focus all my time on making the dish."

　Hearing Bai Yuan's words, Erina Nakiri said with a hint of pride.

　Knowing that the examiner was Shirobuchi, Erina Nakiri and Hisako Shinomiya studied the plan several times before setting off.

　Upon closer inspection, they indeed discovered the key, and so they immediately had a large quantity of the necessary seasonings, cooking utensils, and condiments delivered to them.

　Basic ingredients.

　Now is the time to put them to good use!

　"Flour is used as a base, with chopped onions and minced garlic added. Olive oil is used for frying. After the ingredients are sautéed until fragrant, white wine and cream are added. Salt and black pepper are used for basic seasoning to cook a thick soup. It is a very standard French cooking method."

　The cockles and snails have expelled all the mud and sand from their bodies, resulting in a tender texture and delicious flavor. This deliciousness gradually infuses the rich soup over time.

　If I'm not mistaken, you probably blanched the cockles and snails briefly, removed them after the shells opened, extracted the meat, and then added the partially cooked cockle and snail meat to the broth when it was almost ready, to ensure both were tender and flavorful!

　Scooping up a few pieces of cockle meat, mixed with the rich broth, and putting them into his mouth, Bai Yuan looked up at Nakiri Erina, his voice filled with admiration.

　The broth was perfectly seasoned, and the cooking of the cockles was superb; it was excellent in every aspect.

　"So, how many points would you give me?"

　Erina Nakiri's eyes were filled with anticipation. Although she was confident in her cooking, it was Shirobuchi who was giving her the evaluation.

　If you can get a high score from his speech, wouldn't the value of his credentials increase dramatically?

　"To be fair, your cooking tasted pretty good, but it didn't really wow me. It was just average."

　Because it was completed relatively early, it received a slight bonus in the score, totaling 73 points.

　Bai Yuan's words made Nakiri Erina's expression stiffen, and she couldn't quite manage a smile. Her cooking only scored 73 points? That was barely above the passing grade, reaching a "good" level...

　"Don't underestimate these 73 points. You'll see how valuable they are when today's rankings come out. Now go back and rest."

　Seeing the change in Erina Nakiri's expression, Bai Yuan instantly understood her thoughts, but he was too lazy to explain. He would know the answer that night.

　"I understand."

　Dejected, Erina Nakiri lowered her head and began to ponder the strengths and weaknesses of her cooking, before going to the side to try again.

　She wasn't thinking about getting a high score for now, but she wanted to at least reach 80 points!