Chapter 199 Volcano Potato?
"Hey classmate, would you like to try our volcano potatoes? They're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with three kinds of secret sauces!" Su Yingxue greeted the guests.
"Wow, it smells so good! What is this?"
"Volcano potato? That sounds amazing!"
The first customer was a girl who had just finished class. "Excuse me, how much is this?"
"One serving costs 8 yuan, a large serving costs 12 yuan. You can choose two kinds of sauce, and for an extra 3 yuan you can get three kinds of special sauces!" Su Yingxue introduced skillfully, her hands never stopping as she deftly sprinkled spices on the roasted potatoes with a small spatula.
The girl bought a small portion out of curiosity. When she pierced a steaming hot potato with a bamboo skewer, a miracle happened—the potato was crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The first bite was the original crispy flavor, the second bite was dipped in classic spicy sauce, which was incredibly spicy; the third bite was with honey mustard sauce, and the wonderful combination of sweet and salty taste made her eyes widen instantly.
"Oh my god! This is so delicious! Boss, are these potatoes blessed?" the girl excitedly posted on her WeChat Moments.
This post on WeChat Moments ignited a food craze at the Agricultural University.
Mu Xiaoxiao, a graduate student at an agricultural university, loves potatoes the most. Potatoes are her own subject, including her research topic.
Seeing my junior from my own junior college still raving about how delicious this potato is on her WeChat Moments?
Mu Xiaoxiao shook her head. She didn't take it to heart.
She happened to run into the stall owner on her way to the library. Seeing that the stall owner looked rather old reminded her of her mother, who lived far away in the mountains.
I couldn't resist buying a serving of potatoes.
"Give me a small portion."
Mu Xiaoxiao said calmly, taking out her phone from her bag to scan the QR code. Her movements were unhurried, exuding a unique composure that contrasted sharply with the throngs of students around her.
"Okay, just a moment, classmate!" Su Yingxue responded immediately, her hands moving even faster.
Soon, a steaming hot plate of volcano potatoes was packed into a cardboard box and handed to Mu Xiaoxiao. "Careful, classmate, it's hot!"
Mu Xiaoxiao took the potato and politely thanked her. She didn't eat it immediately, but instead took the potato and walked to a bench by the roadside to sit down. To her, food was not just something to fill her stomach, but also an object worthy of study.
She put on heat-resistant gloves and gently poked open the largest potato with a bamboo skewer. With a soft "plop," a powerful aroma wafted out. She scooped up a small spoonful and put it in her mouth.
"Hmm..."
Mu Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up instantly.
These potatoes are amazing! The outer layer has a charred, smoky aroma, and when you bite into it, there's a satisfying "crunch," while the inside is as soft as a marshmallow, with a rich, milky flavor. The three sauces are also wonderful in their own way, especially the honey mustard sauce—it's sweet with a hint of kick, absolutely delicious!
"Amazing!" she couldn't help but exclaim inwardly. As a graduate student who practically lived on potatoes, she dared to say that this was absolutely the best roasted potato she had ever eaten, bar none! This flavor had simply opened a new world for her tedious research project, bringing her endless inspiration!
However, despite the admiration, the "occupational hazard" of being a professional still surfaced.
She picked up another potato, this time eating it more slowly, as if she were conducting some kind of precise scientific analysis.
"Hmm... the cooking time, the seasoning, it's simply a work of art!" She nodded as she ate, but her brows furrowed slightly. "But... but the 'powdery and soft' texture of the potatoes themselves is still a little lacking..."
She thought of the precious gems in her experimental plot—a new type of potato she had painstakingly bred over three years through hybridization, codenamed "Snow White." When cooked, these potatoes could be mashed with a spoon and turned into a smoother, silkier mashed potato than Dove chocolate, with an unbelievably pure taste. It was just that no one had appreciated them yet, and they were desperately lacking an opportunity to be used.
“If I use my ‘Snow White’…” Mu Xiaoxiao’s eyes grew brighter and brighter as a bold idea took shape in her mind. “With the crispy outside and tender inside, plus the melt-in-your-mouth smoothness, wouldn’t the taste be like a symphony on the tip of your tongue? Wouldn’t it go directly from ‘delicious’ to ‘divine’ level?”
With that thought in mind, she quickly devoured the entire plate of potatoes, licking her lips with lingering satisfaction.
She stood up, dusted herself off, and walked with a clear purpose toward the stall owner who was busy packing food for customers.
The students around were excitedly shouting, "Boss, another one!" "Auntie, I want three kinds of sauce!" The atmosphere was as lively as a festival.
Mu Xiaoxiao waited patiently to the side until Su Yingxue had a little more free time.
"Boss," Mu Xiaoxiao's voice was clear and bright, with a hint of barely suppressed excitement, "Your potatoes are absolutely delicious! I've never had such amazing roasted potatoes before!"
Su Yingxue was a little embarrassed by the praise, and smiled through her mask, "Oh, classmate, you're so good with words! As long as it tastes good!"
"My name is Mu Xiaoxiao, and I'm a second-year graduate student at the Agricultural University." She showed her student ID and said earnestly, "Boss, after eating your potato today, I feel like I've had an epiphany! Let me tell you, I... I'm also a huge potato fanatic! My own research project is to cultivate even tastier potatoes!"
Su Yingxue's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes, a perfect match for her expertise! She feigned a curious expression: "Wow! Really? You study potatoes? That's amazing! Tell me, is there anything I can improve on my potatoes?"
Seeing how humble and eager to learn the boss was, Mu Xiaoxiao became even more talkative. Pointing to the empty box she had just finished eating, she analyzed it in a serious tone:
"Boss, your cooking skills are truly amazing! The seasoning and heat control are absolutely superb! But..."
She abruptly changed the subject, her expression becoming that of a serious judge. "I think the 'inner qualities' of this potato could be improved. Right now, the potato has a crispy exterior and a soft interior, which is quite unique. However, it still lacks that one little bit of 'smoothness deep within.'"
I've been researching a type of potato that, when cooked, has a texture... how should I put it? It's like high-end ice cream—smooth, creamy, and melts in your mouth, without a single grainy texture. If you used that potato in your volcanic rock roasting method, I guarantee the flavor would reach a whole new level, practically divine!
She spoke with great enthusiasm, spitting as she spoke, completely immersed in her professional field.
Listening to this analysis, which was both "amateurish" and "expert," Su Yingxue almost burst out laughing. This classmate's way of praising people was so skillful.
But she astutely grasped the key point—the other party not only knew the ropes, but also had a better variety of potatoes!
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