"Look," Jin Suyun said, turning the thermometer screen towards An Nuo with a hint of surprise in his tone, "52 degrees, just the perfect core temperature for medium-rare! An Nuo, you have a very accurate judgment of the heat."
Jin Annuo raised his wet eyes and looked at the number on the thermometer, surprised and doubtful: "Really...really?"
"Of course." Jin Chanyun nodded affirmatively, picked up the tongs, and gently pressed the surface of the steak to feel the perfect elasticity.
"The surface is charred beautifully, too. As for that bit of burnt butter..." He smiled and swiftly placed the two steaks on a clean plate. "It's just some residue from the pan clinging to the surface. Just wipe it off."
He picked up a clean piece of kitchen paper and carefully wiped off the excess, dark-colored grease residue on the surface of the steak.
Sure enough, after wiping it off, the steak itself still had an attractive dark brown color and was not contaminated too much.
"But...the taste..." An Nuo was still worried.
"Trust me." Jin Chanyun gave her a reassuring look.
He quickly transferred the steak to a pre-prepared, foil-lined baking sheet, then with one smooth motion took a few pats of fresh butter and placed them on top of the steak, along with two cloves of fresh, unpeeled garlic and two sprigs of fresh rosemary.
"The last step is to let it rest so that the meat juices can flow back and the aroma of butter and herbs can slowly penetrate into it." He put the baking tray into the oven preheated to 60 degrees (the temperature that Anno set when roasting vegetables had not yet completely dropped) and closed the oven door.
"Now," he turned around and looked at his still confused sister with a smile in his eyes, "Is it your turn to save the sauce?"
An Nuo then remembered that her mushroom and black pepper sauce was still in the thermos. She quickly took it out and opened the lid.
The sauce seemed to have a good consistency, but the aroma seemed to be affected by the burnt smell just now, and it was a bit dull.
Jin Suyun tasted a small spoonful and nodded. "The basic flavor is very good, with a strong mushroom flavor and just enough black pepper spiciness. It's just... lacking a bit of bright acidity and the final blend of oil."
He walked to the refrigerator, took out a small lemon, cut a small slice neatly, and squeezed a few drops of fresh lemon juice into the sauce.
In an instant, the slightly dull sauce seemed to be infused with a soul, and the aroma became three-dimensional and fresh.
Then, he cut a small piece of ice butter and after the sauce was removed from the heat, he gently stirred it with a spoon until the butter was completely melted. The surface of the sauce took on an attractive luster and became smoother and richer.
"Okay." He poured the saved sauce back into the thermos.
The oven made a "ding" sound, and the rest time was up. Jin Suyun put on heat-insulating gloves and took out the baking tray.
A complex aroma mixed with the rich aroma of meat, melted butter, and the aroma released after roasting rosemary and garlic, swept across the entire kitchen domineeringly, completely dispelling the previous burnt smell!
The steak lies quietly in the baking pan, covered with melted butter, making the color more oily and attractive.
He carefully placed the steak on the prepared plate next to the mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
Finally, drizzle with the shiny, rescued mushroom and black pepper sauce.
The dark brown sauce flows over the golden steak and white mashed potatoes, dotted with emerald green asparagus and bright red cherry tomatoes. The whole plating is instantly filled with the ritual sense of a high-end restaurant.
"Mission accomplished." Jin Chanyun brought two steaks to the dining table and placed them next to the flickering candlelight.
He pulled out a chair and gestured "please" to An Nuo, who was still a little dazed. "Chef Jin, please take a seat and enjoy your masterpiece."
Jin Annuo looked at the two perfect steak dinners on the table, then looked at his brother's smiling eyes, and his nose felt a little sour again, but this time it was a sour feeling of joy and emotion.
She sniffed and sat down opposite her brother.
Jin Suyun picked up his knife and fork. The sharp knife easily cut into the center of the steak.
He forked up a small piece, along with a little melted butter and sauce, and put it into his mouth.
Jin Annuo held the fork nervously and stared at him without blinking.
Jin Chanyun chewed it carefully, with an undisguised, almost astonished expression of enjoyment on his face.
He swallowed the food and looked at his sister opposite him, whose fingers were so nervous that they turned white. His eyes were full of pride and tenderness.
"Annuo," he put down his knife and fork, his voice especially low and pleasant because of the satisfaction of the delicious food, "This is the best birthday present I have ever received."
"It's really...really delicious?" Jin Annuo's voice was trembling with anticipation.
"It's not delicious," Jin Chenyun corrected seriously, picking up the napkin and wiping the corners of his mouth elegantly.
"It's perfect, with a crispy crust, the meat is perfectly tender, juicy, and seasoned precisely. The sauce is the perfect finishing touch."
He paused, looking into her eyes, "What's most valuable is the thought, the focus and effort put into making something for me, that makes its taste unique."
She finally picked up the fork, cut the steak on her plate and put it into her mouth.
When the wonderful taste blossomed on her tongue, she squinted her eyes happily, and her previous frustration and worry disappeared, leaving only a full sense of accomplishment and gratitude to her brother.
"Brother, happy birthday!" She raised the glass of juice, her voice clear and sincere.
"Thank you, An Nuo." Jin Chanyun also raised his red wine glass (which he took from the wine cabinet when he came back) and clinked it with hers.
The crisp sound of glass colliding echoed in the warm restaurant.
The flickering candlelight illuminated the smiling faces of the brother and sister.
"Brother," she suddenly spoke in a soft voice, "In the future... I will learn to cook more dishes."
"Oh?" Jin Chanyun raised his eyebrows and smiled encouragingly, "For example?"
"Hmm... French stewed chicken? Or Beef Wellington?" An Nuo's eyes flashed with eagerness to try, "Although it might be more difficult..."
"Okay." Jin Suyun agreed without hesitation, his tone full of complete trust and indulgence. "No matter what you want to try, I will be your first customer and your most loyal...rescuer."
Jin Annuo's cheeks flushed instantly. Thinking of the embarrassment just now, she couldn't help but glare at him in reproach, but there was no anger in her eyes, only full of dependence and intimacy.
"It's a deal!" She held up her little finger.
Jin Suyun laughed and stretched out his slender little finger to hook it around her slender finger, shaking it gently: "It's a deal."
Under the candlelight, two fingers, one big and one small, hooked together, like a small seal of promise.
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