"This afternoon, add 100 repetitions of sauce consistency practice. No resting until you meet my standards."
"Eh?!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Nakiri Alice's face instantly fell, and she drew out a long whine. The fleeting thought 'Master is so gentle today' that had just popped into her head vanished without a trace.
"What 'eh'? This is just..."
Dylan's expression hardened, ready to launch into a lecture about how strict teachers produce excellent students. However, before he could finish his sentence, Nakiri Leonora grabbed his arm.
"Little brother Dylan, you two have been training continuously for over two months now, without any recreational activities in between. If this continues, the pressure might become too much..."
Nakiri Leonora chose her words carefully. She knew Dylan meant well for Alice, and Alice's progress was undeniable, but education required a balance of tension and relaxation. Constant study wasn't good for a child's physical and mental development.
"Apologies, I was inconsiderate. In that case, let's take a day off. Furthermore, from now on, you'll have two days off every week. I'll take you out to have fun."
Hearing Nakiri Leonora's words, Dylan was momentarily stunned, then understanding dawned. This wasn't the Dark Culinary World; taking appropriate breaks wouldn't earn him a whipping.
He had spent too long in that dark, damp place; he had gradually forgotten what a normal life was like. Work requires rest, and so does study.
"Can we really rest?"
Hearing Dylan agree to Leonora's suggestion, an expression of delighted surprise appeared on Nakiri Alice's face, followed by a slightly uncertain question.
"Of course. This was indeed my oversight. I'll accompany you wherever you want to go. Naturally, if you don't need me to come along, you can go play by yourself too."
Look what I've driven the child to, a pang of guilt suddenly rose in Dylan's heart, and he began thinking of ways to compensate.
"I want to go see Mom's research lab! I'm really interested in the molecular gastronomy techniques she's researching."
Nakiri Alice said excitedly. She had been very curious about the molecular gastronomy Leonora was studying, but because she had been constantly training with Dylan, she hadn't found the time to visit.
"Molecular gastronomy techniques?"
Dylan looked puzzled, but the term quickly surfaced in his mind. Simply put, it involved cooking ingredients using scientific methods.
"Yes, molecular gastronomy."
"It's a technique that only emerged a few years ago, so it's normal that you wouldn't know about it. This is a rare opportunity, little brother Dylan, you should come along too."
Seeing the interested look on Dylan's face, Nakiri Leonora clasped her hands together with an expectant expression. She was very keen to hear his assessment of molecular gastronomy.
"Alright, I happen to be very curious myself."
Dylan nodded without refusing. As a culinary technique born in a new era, he approached it with curiosity as well. This was a perfect chance to go see it for himself.
Perhaps he could even learn something new.
Indeed, Dylan went with the intention of learning. As the most studious chef in the Dark Culinary World, his capacity for accepting new things was very high.
With the decision made, the three set off. The research institute wasn't far from the Nakiri residence and was currently under Nakiri Leonora's full direction as its head.
Passing through several large steel doors, Dylan saw dozens of sophisticated machines and numerous researchers in white lab coats operating them. An uninformed observer might think they were conducting some kind of scientific research activity.
"Your culinary research here is quite... professional..."
Searching his mind for the right word, Dylan finally settled on 'professional'.
"So-called molecular gastronomy utilizes chemical or physical methods to adjust the internal molecular structure of food, transforming it into another state."
"Currently, it's divided into five main areas: centrifugation, distillation, liquid nitrogen freeze-drying, low-temperature slow cooking, and spherification/gelation."
Raising a hand to stop the researchers from coming over to greet them, Nakiri Leonora explained to Dylan as they walked, her voice filled with pride.
Few people were researching this technique internationally. If they succeeded, they would be the founders, their names recorded in future cookbooks.
For a chef, this was the greatest honour!
"I see. Speaking of which, the char siu in the tonkotsu ramen I made two months ago utilized the low-temperature slow cooking method."
"Low-temperature slow cooking can preserve the cellular structure of ingredients more completely, preventing the loss of water-soluble vitamins and nutrients like active enzymes."
"Simultaneously, the vacuum reduces water evaporation. Compared to traditional boiling, which causes 15%-20% moisture loss, low-temperature slow cooking results in only 5%-8% loss. It prevents food from becoming tough and better locks in the nutrients within the ingredient's juices. Therefore, it's often used in molecular gastronomy for meats and eggs."
Hearing that Dylan had previously used a molecular gastronomy technique, Nakiri Leonora immediately gestured with her finger and began explaining enthusiastically.
"I see. I only knew that low-temperature slow cooking could lock in moisture and make the meat tenderer. I've been enlightened."
Dylan spoke sincerely. Opportunities to analyze cooking techniques like this were rare. Just the knowledge of low-temperature slow cooking alone could be applied to various meat and egg dishes.
Previously, he only knew how to use it, not the underlying principle, relying more on experience. Strictly speaking, he was only half-versed in the theory.
"I'm glad I could be of help! This at least proves that molecular gastronomy is an advanced technique. Perhaps it can truly shine in the future!"
Hearing that she had helped Dylan, Nakiri Leonora's eyes lit up. She felt increasingly confident that her research direction was correct; molecular gastronomy could definitely become another major category of world cuisine!
"If research continues, it should yield significant achievements."
Looking at the sophisticated equipment before him, Dylan recalled Nakiri Alice's use of molecular gastronomy at Totsuki in the original story; frankly, her application hadn't been particularly profound.
"Mom, can I try the spherification/gelation? Those little beads look so interesting! If you combine ingredients with different flavours, could it become a new dish?"
Nakiri Alice looked innocently at Nakiri Leonora, then glanced towards Dylan. Seeing him give a slight nod, she ran over to an operating station.
The researcher currently conducting an experiment saw it was Nakiri Alice and immediately stopped their work, stepping aside to clear the space.
"If you want to try, go ahead. Little brother Dylan, you too. Feel free to try anything that interests you. It might even help your cooking."
Nakiri Leonora looked at Dylan with a hint of anticipation in her eyes, hoping he might create an advanced dish using molecular gastronomy methods. This could very well become a new milestone for the field!
"Okay, thank you."
Dylan saw through her thoughts instantly but said nothing, simply smiling, nodding his thanks, and beginning to move around the research lab.
____________
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