The drive back to my restaurant was filled with a sense of contentment and anticipation. There was still so much to do, but I was ready.
As I walked into the restaurant, the familiar sounds of sizzling pans, chopping knives, and the murmur of customers greeted me. Chef Kang was already in the kitchen, prepping for the lunch rush. I made my way to him, my mind buzzing with ideas.
"Chef Kang, I've got something exciting to share with you," I said, smiling as I approached him.
He looked up from his chopping board, a curious glint in his eyes. "What is it, Jiyeon?"
"I brought Yura lunch today and she loved the new Matcha Sesame Hotteok Tart. I think we should try it out with our customers and get their feedback," I said, feeling a surge of excitement.
"That's great news! Let's prepare a batch and offer samples to our customers. It'll be a good way to gauge their reaction," Chef Kang suggested, already moving to gather the ingredients.
We spent the next few hours immersed in the bustling energy of the kitchen, preparing the tart. The kitchen was a symphony of sounds – the rhythmic chopping of vegetables, the hiss of pans, and the occasional burst of laughter from the staff. I loved this environment; it was where I felt most alive.
As we worked, I couldn't help but marvel at the precision and skill of Chef Kang. He was a master at his craft, and I was grateful to have him by my side. We blended the ingredients for the hotteok dough – flour, sugar, yeast, and warm milk – mixing until it formed a smooth, pliable dough. While the dough rested, we prepared the filling, a blend of sweetened sesame seeds and matcha powder.
Once the dough had risen, we rolled it out and cut it into small circles. Placing a spoonful of the filling in the center of each circle, we folded the dough over and sealed the edges, forming small, round tarts. The final step was to pan-fry them until they were golden brown and crispy on the outside, with the sweet, gooey filling inside.
As the tarts sizzled in the pan, the kitchen filled with the enticing aroma of warm dough and toasted sesame. My mouth watered in anticipation, and I couldn't wait to see the customers' reactions.
"These look amazing," I said, as we plated the tarts, adding a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for the finishing touch.
Chef Kang nodded in agreement. "They smell incredible too. Let's get these out to the customers and see what they think."
We prepared trays of the hotteok tarts and carried them out to the dining area. The lunch crowd was in full swing, with every table occupied. As we moved through the restaurant, offering samples, I watched the customers' faces light up with delight.
"Oh, this is delicious!" one woman exclaimed, her eyes widening with surprise.
"I've never tasted anything like this before. It's amazing," another customer added, taking another bite.
The positive feedback was overwhelming, and I felt a surge of pride and satisfaction. This was why I loved cooking – the ability to create something that brought joy to others.
Back in the kitchen, Chef Kang and I shared a triumphant smile. "I think we have a winner," he said, his eyes twinkling.
"Absolutely. We should definitely add this to the menu," I agreed, already envisioning the success of our new branch with this signature dish.
"Yes, I'm home!" I replied, making my way towards her voice. Enjoy new adventures from m-v l'e|-novelhall.net
I found Yura setting the table, a warm smile on her face. She looked as elegant as ever, even after a long day of work. I felt a rush of affection for her, grateful for her presence and support.
"How was your day?" she asked, coming over to give me a hug.
"It was fantastic! We tried out the new Matcha Sesame Hotteok Tart with the customers, and they loved it. We also experimented with a kimchi mac and cheese that got great feedback," I said, my excitement evident.
"That's wonderful news, Jiyeon. I'm so proud of you," Yura said, her eyes shining with pride.
"Thank you, Yura. And how was your day?" I asked, as we sat down at the table.
"It was productive. I had a few important meetings and managed to secure a promising deal for one of our upcoming projects," she replied.
Dinner was a delightful spread of Korean and Western dishes, reflecting our diverse culinary interests. We had a light and refreshing bibimbap with a variety of fresh vegetables, a savory bulgogi, and a side of creamy mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic and herbs.
"This looks amazing, Yura," I said, taking in the delicious aroma of the food.
"Thank you, Jiyeon. I wanted to prepare something special for us tonight," she said, smiling.
As we started eating, Yura brought up an important topic. "Jiyeon, I've been thinking about your new restaurant branch."
"Oh? What about it?" I asked, curious.
"I might have a suggestion for the location. There's a property in the city's business district that I think would be perfect for your new branch. It's in a high-traffic area with great visibility," she explained.
My eyes widened with interest. "That sounds amazing! But how long would it take to secure the property?"
"Well, it's a bit complicated. The current lease expires in a few days, and we'll need to negotiate with the landlord. It might take a few days to finalize everything," Yura said, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"I see. That gives us some time to plan and prepare," I said, already thinking about the logistics.
"Exactly. I can help with the negotiations and make sure we get a good deal," Yura offered.
"Thank you, Yura. That would be incredibly helpful," I said, feeling a surge of gratitude.