546 - - Episode 544 Konyaku

The scouting of the Great Spirit of Snow was successful. We immediately guided him to a floating island where we wanted snow to fall, and asked him to settle in. The original form of the Great Spirit of Snow was a huge snow leopard, and it seemed to have the majesty and power of a great spirit. Soon it became small and lost its dignity and power. .......

"Well, let's do it again today!"

"It's nice that you're having fun, but I think Yuta is making the wrong effort."

After finishing breakfast and sending Belle and the others off, I got ready to do my best again today, and Sylphy gave me a sharp rebuke in a disgusted voice.

"Don't worry, I'm aware of it.

I am fully aware that my efforts are going in the wrong direction.

What I am doing now is not a bad thing, but I cannot deny that there are other things I should be doing.

But it's okay because I want to do it. Yes, a potato stew party!

The Great Spirit of Snow turned a floating island in the sky into a snow island, which became a good playground for Belle and the other spirits visiting the paradise.

The Great Spirit of Snow is just lounging around in the depths of the giant camakura, fascinated by the magical cushion, but he is satisfied that he has done a good job.

And watching the little ones playing covered in snow, my desire for the pot has been very high.

I want to surprise them, and then I want to bite into the hot potatoes with huffing and puffing in the cold.

Well, I heard that taro stew is usually eaten outdoors in the fall, so it might be different to do it in a place where snow is falling all over the place, but I think it is the best luxury we can have in this hot continent, in paradise.

That's why I must succeed in making konnyaku, which I hesitated to do because I thought it would be too difficult!

So far, I've failed three days in a row. .......

But everything is going well except for the konjak. The taro was easy to prepare because Dolly knew about it. The other vegetables are also doing well. Miso and soy sauce are ready.

I had a hard time explaining the konjak potato because I didn't know it well myself, but I managed to get there with the thin knowledge that it is poisonous in a strange way.

In this world, they are just poisonous potatoes and not considered to be food. For a moment, I thought it might be good for business.　I thought about it, but gave up the idea because it would be difficult to spread delicious konnyaku dishes in a world where neither miso nor soy sauce is distributed.

As for the pots and pans, I checked with Mel and Nomos, and they said that Mel can make even a huge pot for stewing potatoes with the assistance of Nomos, so I have already placed an order.

Well, the training in Damascus + the making of the corruption cushion after the training + the making of the huge pot have put a lot of burdens on me, and as a result, Meral asked me not to complain since Mel was enjoying herself, but to consider her physical condition, and Merylserio gave me a pout.

This was my mistake because I was only thinking about the sweet potato stew. Meraru's earnest words touched my heart, and the smack from the baby was more damaging than I had imagined.

Worst of all, I can cook without konjak, but I want to cook oden someday, and I feel like I've lost a lot of things, which is why I want to make the taro stewing party a perfect success.

Therefore, my current challenge is important even if I have other things to focus on.

"......Well, you can do whatever you want."

Perhaps because she saw me so determined and motivated, Sylphy cheered me on. I think I looked a little thrown together, but it was probably just my imagination.

So I'm making konnyaku again today.

It's a reckless challenge based on vague knowledge I've seen on TV, but with Ruby's help yesterday, I'm feeling that I'm getting closer to success.

Today is the day!

**

We move to the kitchen and prepare the dishes, recalling the previous steps.

First of all, of course, the konnyaku potato.

At first, I had Dolly take out the poison from the potatoes, but some ingredients of the poison might be necessary to make konnyaku, so we use the potatoes as they are in their natural state.

Then, the water was filtered by Dine after the straw ashes were added.

I have no idea why we need water with straw ashes in it, but that's what I saw on TV, so I have it ready.

I heard that it is used to remove the bad smell of wild vegetables, so maybe it has some effect.

I had already gotten this far from the beginning.

The only thing I could remember to do was to grate and mix the lye, and I didn't know how much and when to mix it, and after a lot of trial and error, I was in despair.

Then came Ruby, who had time on a day when there were no visitors in paradise. After listening to my vague knowledge and explanation of the finished product, she was able to get me one step closer.

All that was left was to finish the konnyaku, but Ruby, my reassuring helper, had run out of time and was now waving her arms in the cafeteria of paradise.

In other words, we have to do it on our own. I have the procedure written down, and all I have to do is to follow it, but I'm just so anxious.

Well, even if I do it on my own, I'm still going to need some help from the spirits.

"Sylphie-sensei, please..."

"I don't have a choice."

Sylphy looks a little uncomfortable. Well, I know why, since she asked me the other day.

Yuta, lately I feel like you only use my power for moving or cooking, is it my imagination?

When he said that to me, I could only reply that he was right.

This time, too, I asked him to peel konnyaku potatoes, but was it something that the Great Spirit could do?　I would say no.

But I have no choice.

At first I tried to do it on my own, but my hands became extremely itchy when I touched the konnyaku potato.

I asked Moon to help me and he did, but I don't want to have that itch anymore. I just wonder why I get a rash when my level has been raised.

Sylphy waves her hand lightly, and the konnyaku potato floats up in the wind, its skin peeling off like it's being melted away.

Wonderfully convenient. That's why I always ask for it.

"It's your turn, sister!"

I haven't called her yet, but Deanne showed up.

It is indeed Dene's turn, but she is not so doubtful about cooking with the power of the Great Spirit.

Is it a personality problem or a difference in the frequency of requests?

Hmm?　I remember when I was making straw ashes, I had an if nearby to burn them for me.

Dolly grew the konnyaku potatoes.　Is the konjak I am making now a konjak that has the power of the Great Spirits of Wind, Water, Fire, and Forest gathered together?

...... It won't taste the same, but it looks like an awesome konjak. I must try to finish it!

Deanne, please.

"Buu, you have to call me teacher, too."

Teacher?　...... I remember the first time I called Sylphy a teacher. Deanne, how long have you been on call?

"...... Deanne, please."

"Leave it to me, doctor!"

Deanne, puffing her chest out. Sounds fun, but if you add a teacher character to a big sister character, I'm afraid you'll be inundated with attributes.

Well, it looks like fun. .......

When Deene waves her hand, water covers the peeled konnyaku potato and it starts spinning like a tornado.

The water flow crushes the konnyaku potato into pieces. ...... In short, it's a mixer.

"Whew! You did a great job!"

The liquid of the crushed konnyaku potato mixed with water tops into the bowl, and Dine wipes the sweat from her forehead with her arm.

I am tempted to say to her, "I'm sure you didn't sweat," but I'm sure she did a good job, so I'll keep my mouth shut.

Now it's my turn.

I pour the lye into the liquid of the konjak potato a little at a time, stirring it with a spatula.

This process would be easy if I asked Sylphy or Dine to do it for me, but I do it myself because I don't think I'll get any sense of accomplishment if I don't do it myself.

As you mix the lye and knead, the liquid becomes stickier and stickier. It's a tough job, but it's not a problem for me now that my level and physical strength have improved.

If you keep on kneading, the liquid will become sticky and slippery at the end.

This is where I failed yesterday. I was overjoyed that it was finished, and then I thought, "What?　Something white and different?　Oh yeah, boil it!　After a trial and error process, I ended up with something slightly different.

Then, relying on Ruby, I tried to find out the cause of the problem. I was sure that I had boiled them, but the liquid had not been blended yet, had it?　Ruby came up with this result.

I have no idea, but I'm sure Ruby, with her incredibly long culinary experience, is right.

I think the white color is probably due to the fact that ifs burned the straw until it was perfectly white, so the konnyaku did not get any color. Maybe .......

So, I'm taking a break till noon.

**

"Is this ...... good enough?　Maybe it looks ...... okay?"

Not much has changed in terms of appearance, but it's hard not to feel a sense of calm.

The water is already boiling, so all I have to do is cut them into pieces and boil them. I'm still afraid to touch them directly, so I ask Sylphy to cut them into rectangles for me.

Sylphie, please!

Where's the doctor?

...... Sylphy surprisingly liked being called teacher.

"Sylphy-sensei, please!"

"I can't help it. Yes."

The wind blows the konnyaku into rectangular pieces. I think it's a wonder that the bowl is not damaged in any way.

Thank you, Sylphie.

Then I just throw them in hot water, boil them, and they're probably done.

I have a rough idea of how long it will take to boil after my last failure. When they swell up and float to the surface, it's time to raise them.

It's done!　Look, Sylphy, Dene, it's whiter than I thought it would be, but it looks pretty good!"

"...... Congratulations?"

"I'm glad you're so happy, Yuta!"

"Huh?　Isn't he reacting a bit thin?"

Both of you are slow to react.

"I've been thinking this since I was making it, but it doesn't look good at all."

"I think so, too, sister!"

"Uh, yeah. It's good food, you know?　But it's a little different ...... from being the main attraction, isn't it?"

The konjak I had in Gunma was seriously delicious, and is an important ingredient that is indispensable for Oden.

It is very tasty with wasabi and soy sauce, but I must say that it is weak compared to dragon steaks and various fried foods.

"......Why did you make it?"

"It's not a main ingredient, but it's a very good supporting ingredient."

I love it.

"Hmm."

They don't seem to be interested at all.

"Yes, it may not be the most spectacular ingredient, but konnyaku goes very well with sake, don't you think?"

"Come on, Yuta, let's try it."

"I'll go with you, sister!"

...... Genie is so easy.