The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 38: Chapter 37: Mastering Doughwork Feel and Control

The beans were steamed, and Zhang Zhen added some nuts to them.

Then, he weighed them while adding a suitable amount of all-purpose flour and glutinous rice flour.

After mixing evenly, Zhang Zhen said to Fu Yu, ”Xiaofu, come help me knead the dumplings.”

Kneading the dumplings is a routine task.

The size and weight of the dumplings can be directly measured. As long as the quantities are the same and the dumplings are round and smooth, that’s all that’s needed.

However, it seems simple in theory, but when actually kneading the dumplings, you realize that because the various beans are not peeled, it’s impossible to ensure a smooth appearance. Particularly with the music restaurant’s eight-treasure sticky bean buns, which don’t use glutinous rice flour as a wrapper, all the fillings are directly exposed.

This really tests the chef’s skills.

Zhang Zhen kneaded carefully, strictly controlling the pressure of his palm and fingertips.

Fu Yu was influenced and adjusted his attitude, focusing intently, rotating his hands cautiously, fearing that if there was not enough strength, the dumplings wouldn’t take shape, but if too much, they would deform.

This truly tests the awareness of strength and control in both hands.

Zhang Zhen quickly finished a dumpling and placed it on the plate.

Fu Yu also finished one and put it down.

But then, Fu Yu realized the problem.

Due to the difference in hand strength, although he and Zhang Zhen used identical proportions of ingredients, the size of the dumplings differed significantly.

The dumpling kneaded by Zhang Zhen was large and very round, with all the bean skins firmly pressed down, looking smooth on the outside.

In contrast, the dumpling Fu Yu made was obviously smaller, with two spots where the bean skins lifted, making it look like a clumsy imitation.

”Wow, you’re pretty fast!”

Fu Yu turned around at the voice and saw a short and stocky middle-aged man in a chef’s uniform, who, even before speaking, wore a friendly smile.

The man’s distinctive appearance immediately told Fu Yu he hadn’t seen him before.

Zhang Zhen chuckled, ”Ah, any skill I had was long forgotten.”

Then he introduced, ”This is Master Fu, who came from Qianlima to help in the kitchen.”

”This is our pastry chef, Ren Mingqing.”

Fu Yu quickly greeted, ”Hello, Chef Ren.”

Ren Mingqing grinned, ”I’ve heard the boss brought over a handsome guy to help in the kitchen, and finally, I see him in person. Nice to meet you!”

While speaking, Ren Mingqing’s gaze fell on the two eight-treasure sticky bean buns on the plate.

”These aren’t kneaded well, are they?”

Ren Mingqing frowned, looking up at Zhang Zhen. ”Your skills have regressed, look, there are fingerprints on this one!”

Fu Yu blushed, just about to explain that the uglier one was his when he saw Ren Mingqing pointing at Zhang Zhen’s finished dumpling.

Fu Yu: ”!”

Zhang Zhen wasn’t annoyed by the jab and replied with a smile, ”That’s why I said my skills were returned to my master. It’s been almost ten years since I last touched dough... Ah, the skill really declines if not practiced daily!”

Then he changed the topic, ”Hey, since you’re here, please, give us some guidance. The difference between pastry and cooking is vast, like a whole new world!”

Ren Mingqing put on disposable gloves and began demonstrating.

Since the music restaurant’s eight-treasure sticky bean buns were a main dish, they were served according to the number of guests per table. A table of ten would have ten buns steamed on a plate.

Ren Mingqing skilfully scooped a portion of bean paste, weighed it in his palm, removed some with his fingers, weighed it again, then quickly closed his palm to start forming the dumpling.

His kneading and pressing movements with his palms were incredibly fast, with his ten fingers working together as if playing the piano to shape the dumpling.

Fu Yu was mesmerized by the fluid technique.

In simpler terms, both pastry and cooking require a combination of talent and hard work to achieve perfection.

Ren Mingqing quickly finished kneading a dumpling and placed it on the plate.

It was perfectly round, obviously larger than Zhang Zhen’s.

Apart from the size, at first glance, the two dumplings looked quite similar.

However, upon closer inspection, it became a matter of amateurs seeing size and experts observing details.

Ren Mingqing is an excellent pastry chef and a good teaching master.

After completing the first dumpling as a model, he kneaded another.

This time, he guided verbally while kneading, ”The key to kneading dumplings is the hand strength. Knead too tightly, the dumpling will be small and look skinny on the plate. Eight-treasure sticky bean buns aren’t made from luxurious ingredients, so we have to improve through taste and appearance.”

”In terms of weight, if you’re not confident in your intuition, it’s best to weigh it first. When kneading, your fingers must work with the palm, like this...”

Ren Mingqing placed his newly kneaded dumpling on the plate, guiding Zhang Zhen and Fu Yu in their kneading.

Fu Yu realized his previous dumpling was kneaded too tightly, so this time he relaxed his strength, using his fingertip and palm to knead, imitating the technique.

Zhang Zhen finished first, and upon careful observation, it was indeed much better than before.

Fu Yu finished half a minute later.

Just as he placed the dumpling on the plate, an electronic prompt sounded in his ear:

[Ding! New Kitchen Star title reward: Congratulations on receiving NPC White Chef Ren Qingming’s personal skill: Pastry Hand Control (Intermediate)]

Fu Yu’s actions halted.

[Pastry Hand Control: When making large-scale pastries or banquet desserts, the control of the hand feel is crucial for the weight and shaping of ingredients. Possessing this personal skill allows intermediate-level hand control, better meeting customer needs when crafting various pastries. This personal skill is applicable to all pastry work...]

Fu Yu’s eyes lit up!

He unintentionally acquired Ren Mingqing’s personal skill.

This New Kitchen Star title is truly awesome!

[Dough Handling Control]

This skill is a real treasure, and it’s already at an intermediate level!

From now on, can he dominate in the area of dough handling?

Mold whatever he wants.

Dumplings, wontons, cakes, cookies...

No, he can’t stop at intermediate.

If he could advance to a higher level, perhaps he’d have another path in the future.

Whether it’s opening a noodle shop or a dessert store, wouldn’t that be a piece of cake?

Thinking of this, Fu Yu’s gaze at Ren Mingqing unknowingly became somewhat fervent.

Ren Mingqing checked the two finished products on the plate.

No need to talk about Zhang Zhen, he had a foundation to begin with. With a couple of pointers, he was slowly catching up.

But this Chef Fu was clearly a novice, though he seemed quite talented.

The size of the dough balls lacked a bit due to insufficient control of strength, but the technique he used just now was quite satisfactory.

For a newbie in dough handling, the expectations can’t be too high.

Ren Mingqing, with a good personality, has always prioritized encouragement over criticism for those under him.

Ren Mingqing opened his mouth and said, ”Chef Fu, these dough balls are pretty good, you’ve made great progress...”

He looked up, just in time to make eye contact with Fu Yu.

Whoa!

Ren Mingqing’s heart skipped a beat, met by Fu Yu’s intense gaze.

This is...

Eager to showcase his newly acquired skill, Fu Yu actively said, ”Chef Ren, could you please give me some more guidance?”

Ren Mingqing: ”...Of course.”

Fu Yu reached out and picked up another piece of bean paste, imitating Ren Mingqing’s technique to weigh it in his hands.

Amazing!

He could actually clearly feel that the amount in his hand wasn’t enough, just a little short.

So he added a small piece, weighed it again.

This time, it was just right.

With crossed hands, he kneaded.

The skills of his fingertips quickly pressed and shaped the dough.

Very quickly.

A dough ball was finished and placed on the plate.

Fu Yu deliberately placed the newly made dough ball next to the one Ren Mingqing had made earlier.

Comparing the two.

In terms of size, smoothness, and even the handling of details...

Exactly the same!

Ren Mingqing: ”...”

He leaned in for a closer look.

Ren Mingqing’s eyes slowly widened...

His mouth unable to close...

What the heck?

This kid is a genius!

Ren Mingqing turned his head, raising an eyebrow high, looking at Zhang Zhen with questioning eyes: ???

Zhang Zhen blinked, picked up the two dough balls, scrutinized them closely for a while, then looked at Ren Mingqing, eyes full of: !!!

A silent exchange, but they understood each other!

This kid is definitely playing dumb!

If he hasn’t learned dough handling, hasn’t practiced for ten years, how could he have this skill? I swear...

Ren Mingqing looked at Fu Yu, then paused.

The young man in front of him was at most in his early twenties.

A red chef in the kitchen, where would he get ten years of white chef experience?

This is entirely a gift from the heavens!

He was born with a talent for the pastry arts!

Ren Mingqing finally understood why Fu Yu looked at him with such fervent eyes earlier.

That was clearly the eager eyes of someone hungry for knowledge!

You often find the Qianlima, but not the Bole!

When Ren Mingqing looked at Fu Yu again, his gaze became filled with enthusiasm!