“The Green Set includes spring rolls, vegetable sandwiches, and tomato salad. I use a variety of fresh vegetables and pair them with a special sauce.”
The judges looked at the dishes in front of them.
The South Island spring rolls are brightly colored, and when you cut them you can see the colorful vegetables inside, like a rainbow lying on the plate, which is eye-catching; the vegetable sandwiches are neatly arranged, and the golden bread is sandwiched with moist pancakes, which makes people salivate; the three-color tomato salad looks very refreshing, and it is garnished with battered tofu covered with sweet and sour sauce.
"The colors of this dish are so beautiful, it's an eye-opener." Chef Li nodded, with a hint of appreciation in his voice.
Another Qingzhu judge nodded in agreement: "Indeed, colorful dishes always attract people's attention."
Li Baiying didn't say anything. She picked up a spring roll, dipped it in sauce and put it into her mouth.
The spring roll wrapper is soft yet slightly chewy, paired with crispy vegetables inside and dipped in tropical sauce.
The sauce made from pineapple and green peppers is amazing, sour, spicy, and has a fruity flavor.
One bite and it feels like sitting on the beach, watching a group of vegetables dancing with a pineapple in a grass skirt.
The judges also began to taste.
Judge Qingfeng started with the salad, picking up a piece of tomato and battered tofu and putting them in his mouth.
The moment this carefully selected food was put into the mouth, judge Qingfeng's taste buds seemed to be instantly ignited.
The first thing you notice is the amazing texture of the tofu. The skin is fried to perfection, extremely crispy, and the surface is evenly coated with the sweet and sour sauce.
With a gentle bite, the crispy outer layer crackles with a sound of "crack," and a rich bean fragrance and delicious juices flow freely in your mouth. At the same time, the crisp and sweet tomato also exerts its unique charm, complementing the tender and juicy tofu to form a wonderful taste combination.
The freshness of the tomatoes neutralizes the sweetness of the sweet and sour sauce, making the overall taste more rich and diverse. The two complement each other, like a match made in heaven.
"I didn't expect this combination to be so good. Salad and sweet and sour tofu, what an interesting combination." Qingfeng picked up a piece of coated tofu and asked, "Are you thinking of using coated tofu instead of burrata?"
Li Mingzhu nodded. "Yes, because the inside of the burrata is so juicy, I thought of using glazed tofu as a substitute. Black vinegar is usually used as a dressing for tomato salad, so I thought of making the glazed tofu sweet and sour. This way, the sweet and sour flavors of the vinegar and tomatoes can create a multi-layered sour taste."
"This is a good idea." Qingfeng agreed.
"The spring rolls are also very good," Qingzhu picked up the spring roll and looked at the cut surface carefully. "The vegetables are rich in layers, and you can taste different flavors in every bite."
Master Li picked up a vegetable sandwich and took a small bite.
As your teeth touch the crispy bread, a soft, warm sensation washes over your tongue – the unique texture of the pancake sandwiched between them. As you chew, the moist cabbage and the delicately fragrant yam within the pancake are released, intertwining like a joyful dance in your mouth.
At the same time, the salad dressing and jam spread on the bread are not to be outdone, each showing their own rich and intense flavors, immersing the entire mouth in a sea of deliciousness.
Wait? This is it!
Master Li suddenly felt as if there was something extra in his mouth.
It has a noticeably different texture from the other ingredients and is slightly firmer.
With doubts, Master Li carefully tasted the mysterious object.
Well, a little spicy.
What is this?
The Qingzhu judge next to him also tasted it and asked, "This, is it eggplant?"
Hearing this, Li Mingzhu couldn't help but laugh. She said proudly, "Yes, I added some dried peppers and eggplant to the sandwich on purpose to give it more layers and flavor."
Chef Li nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Indeed, these sun-dried eggplants have become incredibly chewy. The pleasant surprise you get when you bite into them is indescribable. Furthermore, the spicy flavor they bring perfectly enhances the sandwich's original flavor, elevating the entire experience to a whole new level."
The Qingzhu judges agreed, "The yam grate and vegetables in the pancake are a perfect combination of freshness, and the dried eggplant is the finishing touch. Its chewy texture instantly makes the ordinary sandwich unique. As you chew, you can taste a hint of spiciness. That subtle spiciness dances on the tip of your tongue like a spirit, adding a unique charm to the whole taste experience, instantly making the sandwich different and memorable."
At this time, Li Baiying had also finished tasting the three foods one by one.
She put down the cutlery in her hands, looked at Li Mingzhu with satisfaction, and praised: "Mingzhu, well done. You have cleverly incorporated your own innovative elements into these vegetarian dishes. You deserve praise."
Li Mingzhu's eyes lit up when she heard her mother-in-law's praise, "Yes!"
After tasting Li Mingzhu's dish, it was Mingyue's turn next.
Li Baiying looked at Mingyue, "Your opponent performed very well. Are you nervous now, Miss Mingyue?"
Mingyue smiled slightly and shook her head, "Not really."
This time, when studying cooking, she had some different experiences. She focused on the ingredients in front of her and turned them into different dishes, which reminded her of the first time she cooked.
She recalled the satisfaction she felt when she made the dish, which was a pure joy brought by creation itself.
But after experiencing so much, she has forgotten the simple happiness she felt at that time.
Until today, when she stood on the competition stage, looking at the ingredients in front of her and focusing on the present, she suddenly understood something.
She is always worrying, preparing, thinking, looking at the past and the future, but rarely pays attention to the present.
It wasn't until the competition started that she focused her attention on the food in front of her. She experienced a unity of body and mind, and this experience gave her a sense of stability and enrichment.
Mingyue smiled, and a gleam of excitement appeared in her eyes. "This cooking discussion is very interesting. I am very happy. That's enough."
Hearing Mingyue's words, Li Mingzhu felt a little complicated.
Does this sentence mean that Mingyue doesn't take her seriously at all?
The judges had no idea what the two contestants were thinking. After Li Mingzhu's dish was removed, it was their turn to taste Mingyue's dish.
"Then please Mingyue serve your food."
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