Chapter 53

Chapter 53

8.The Chemistry Behind Cooking (6)

1 minute later.

Jeong-woo stood in front of the makeshift cooking station wearing the attire of a chef brought by the FD. There were eight knives displayed next to the cutting board.

There were fans and pots whose purpose was unknown, while the digital scale and measuring cup were the only things that felt familiar.

What am I doing here?

The planned evening was for Yoon Yi-seol to go home, and he would join the three old men over there for some pork belly with soju.

Hyun-min, who had briefly conversed with the PD, approached Jeong-woo and kindly placed his hand on his tense shoulder, speaking gently.

You dont need to feel discouraged. If you follow the prescribed method and measurements, I believe that anyone can cook.

I might betray your expectations. I feel like Ill disappoint you today.

That wont happen.

Confidently declaring, Hyun-min began selecting the first ingredient next to Jeong-woo. Speaking as if having a conversation with the VJ who was filming up close, he started speaking.

The opposing team is making seafood green onion pancakes (haemul pajeon), so well make beef and scallion skewers with our special sauce.

Upon hearing Hyun-mins words, expressing his desire to showcase his skills as a chef while maintaining a common ingredient theme, Jeong-woos gaze shifted to the makeshift cooking station on the opposite side.

His mother was selecting ingredients, and Yoon Yi-seol waved discreetly.

I have to work hard, I cant give up.

What a twist of fate. If he was chosen, intentionally sabotaging the dish was out of the question, but he also didnt want his mother and Yoon Yi-seol to lose.

Amidst his dilemma, Hyun-min gave his first instruction.

Well marinate it, Mr. Jeong-woo.

Marinate? Whats that?

Its like seasoning the meat. But it has a greater effect. Since we have ingredients for five servings

2 ounces of soy sauce, 1 ounce of toasted sesame oil, 20 grams of sugar, minced garlic, and 7 grams of grated ginger. Hyun-min provided the precise measurements.

Oh?

As the clean instructions fell, Jeong-woo effortlessly moved, dividing the ingredients on a small glass plate. In the meantime, Hyun-min swiftly sliced the piece of beef and handed the bowl to Jeong-woo.

Youre quick, huh? Now, coat the meat with all of that. Mix it well.

This task was also not difficult at all. As the mixed ingredients covered the surface of the beef, Jeong-woo observed it, giving it a glimpse of the chemical world.

The oil components mixed on the surface had firmly adhered to the moisture of the meat itself, creating a solid layer.

Meanwhile, molecules with the fragrance of ginger, appearing to be cineole, gingerol, and gingerberry, were penetrating and relentlessly attacking the gamey odor of the beef.

So, youre trying to maintain the juiciness and remove the gamey smell with the marinade?

You know it well.

Thats right.

See. Cooking isnt that difficult.

Since the principle itself was chemistry, it felt familiar instead.

After marinating the meat, Hyun-min wrapped it with plastic wrap and placed it in an icebox. This time, he placed a wide saucepan on a portable gas stove.

Well make a sauce with a hollandaise base and add orange for a refreshing taste. The ingredients are

Under Hyun-mins gentle instructions, Jeong-woo found and placed the ingredients accurately, as if he was possessed.

There were 18 grams of a red vegetable resembling shallot peel, 2 grams of whole peppercorns, and 3 ounces of vinegar in the pan.

Water, 3 ounces too.

Having a sense of proportion, there was no need to measure the water precisely from a water bottle. Once he became familiar, he could estimate by sight, just like mixing compounds.

Chef, what do we do now?

Youve already put everything in?

This is better than I expected. Oh, you want more to do?

While the water in the heated saucepan was bubbling, Hyun-min cracked 6 eggs and quickly separated the yolks. He then placed them next to Jeong-woo.

When the water is almost gone, strain it and pour it into this bowl.

Okay.

Suddenly, the sauce preparation flowed smoothly as if they were in sync.

Now keep whisking with a whisk. Quickly.

Like this?

The amount of butter

While Hyun-min briefly turned his head, Jeong-woo swiftly sliced off the butter with a knife.

Is this about 18 ounces?

Thats right. Did you weigh it on the scale just now?

Ah yes.

With my eyes.

While Jeong-woo continued to mix the sauce, incorporating the butter, Hyun-min took out the red oranges and swiftly peeled them with the smallest knife among the 8 knives.

Squeezing the juice into the whisked sauce, Hyun-min raised his head with a satisfied expression.

Is cooking faster than you expected? The meat needs another 5 minutes to mature, but I have nothing to do. Jeong-woo, what about you? Are you okay? Youre doing well.

Its just that this doesnt feel like cooking to me. You added 1.5 ounces of that juice.

Huh? How did you know? Your estimation skills are good.

Jeong-woo chuckled and spoke. He couldnt help but think that the kitchen with a professional chef who cooked only with precise measurements felt like a laboratory.

-Oh, it tastes delicious.

Seeing Grandma complimenting her, Yoon Yi-seol let out a sigh of relief.

Jeong-woo, its amazing, isnt it? Its fascinating how it turns into the dishes we usually see just by following the instructions.

Yoon Yi-seol seemed to have experienced a similar sensation to her own, creating a high-end sauce as she followed the instructions.

Wait, did I help my mom without realizing it?

Noticing flour on his forehead, Jeong-woo grabbed a towel and handed it to Yoon Yi-seol.

Why?

Its on your forehead. Theres a lot of flour.

Pointing to her small forehead covered in white powder, Jeong-woo surprised her, and she reflexively reached out to wipe it away.

Oh, what are you doing with flour on your hands?

Youre right.

Since there was even more flour on her hands, Jeong-woo naturally used the towel to wipe her forehead. Yoon Yi-seol slightly tensed her neck.

Thank you.

If Im the manager, its natural to do my job.

Thats right.

Yoon Yi-seol, with a blush on her neck, avoided Jeong-woos gaze and bowed her head.

Meanwhile, the elderly people who had finished tasting the food each chose their favorite dish and held the flag in their hands.

Yi-seol, looks like the results are out.

Yoon Yi-seol raised her head, and her pupils trembled.

Hyun-min and Hong Ji-sook stood next to the table. When Producer Choi gave the signal, the elderly people raised their flags simultaneously.

Huh?

Jeong-woo, who had been watching together, let out a sigh. There were only five flags with the last name Hong. It was a complete defeat for Hyun-min.

-Its all delicious, but this is my taste.

-Pajeon is good for makgeolli (alcoholic drink, rice wine).

-This one has a hint of sweetness.

The elderly people continued with their straightforward comments.

Hyun-min, like Jeong-woo, had an incredulous expression at the results, but Hong Ji-sook remained calm.

Yahoo! Jeong-woo! Your mother won!

Yoon Yi-seol cheered and ran towards Hong Ji-sook. Watching that, Jeong-woo suddenly felt a surge of competitiveness that had been faint until now.

When Hong Ji-sook chose braised cod as the second dish, Hyun-min immediately declared that he would make cod skewers.

Jeong-woo, prepare the marinade. Ill continue with the preparations.

The cod, which had narrowly escaped at the market, was now on the cutting board.

Nice to meet you again. Here you are now.

With a quick eye, the cods head, body, and scales were separated by the chefs touch. Meanwhile, Jeong-woo accurately gathered the ingredients called by Hyun-min.

Hyun-min, who was spreading the cod fillets on the grill, was surprised when he saw the cooking station in front of Jeong-woo.

Youve already measured everything?

I was in the zone.

About ten different ingredients, including cashew nuts, mung beans, and Thai peppers, were lined up on a large plate. Jeong-woos eyes, shining with passion, were captured by the VJs camera.

20 minutes later.

Two dishes were placed on the judging table.

Jeong-woo stood in the back, waiting for the results, and inwardly hoped that this time it would be different.

The skewers, which had a smoky flavor and were mixed with a rare sauce called apple mango chutney, elicited admiration when tasted.

It was a wonderful meal with a combination of minty spiciness and a complex balance of sweetness and saltiness.

-Hmm, its tastier than it looks.

One of the grandfathers nodded his head.

Its fine.

Watching Jeong-woo, who was fervently engrossed with his fist clenched, Yoon Yi-seol smiled and spoke.

-Are the results ready?

As the elderly people nodded their heads, the PD gave a signal. And the flags were raised.

Why?

Once again, there were five Hong flags. Although I checked the other flags, they clearly had the name Hyun on them.

-Of course, its Hong. Her savory dishes always hit the spot.

-The radish is well-cooked.

-Whats this? Why does it taste like perilla?

The subjective evaluations of the elderly people, with distinct preferences, continued. Jeong-woo, halfway bewildered by the unexpected results, looked at Hyun-min returning to the cooking station.

Jeong-woo, stay strong.

Yi-seol, you too.

Yoon Yi-seol showed a fighting gesture and walked towards Hong Ji-sook.

So, this is my mothers skill, huh?