Who Is the World’s Strongest Appraiser? ~Living in Another World With Satisfying Meals~

The Main Dish Is Deep-fried Yam

“What? Yam?”

Hearing Yuuri’s words, Urgus made a disgusted face. Actually, he seemed somewhat disappointed. But Yuuri, unconcerned with Urgus’s reaction, nodded firmly. In Yuuri’s hand was a large bowl filled with slices of yam soaking in some liquid.

“Today’s main dish is this yam.”

“Main dish is yam? What about meat or fish?”

“Sometimes it’s okay without them. I got a lot of yam, so I need to use it up before it spoils.”

The yams in the bowl seemed to assert their presence. Urgus didn’t dislike yam, but for a growing teenager, it felt inadequate. How was he supposed to finish his main course without meat or fish? Urgus found it unreasonable.

Today’s main course was rice. Because there was leftover rice. Yuuri’s main criteria for cooking were making delicious meals and not wasting food. Thus, any ingredient nearing its expiration date would be used first. Nutrition balance? Overlaps? Not wasting food is the top priority.

“It’s okay. With this dish, you can eat rice just like with meat or fish.”

“Huh?”

“We’re making deep-fried yam today.”

Leaving the skeptical Urgus behind, Yuuri started working. He carefully transferred the yams from the mystery liquid to another bowl, draining the marinade. The marinade, made with soy sauce, sake, and ginger juice, was for the deep-fry batter. Yuuri had also added a little dashi and salt and pepper to his taste. Those are personal touches, so don’t worry about them.

The yams, marinated since late morning, had turned brown from the soy sauce. Though skeptical, Urgus quietly helped.

“Can you prepare the oil?”

“Got it.”

Urgus poured oil into a deep frying pan and lit the stove. Yuuri moved the yams from the marinade to another bowl, then added potato starch. While waiting for the oil to heat up, they coated the yams with potato starch and shook off the excess. Urgus returned from the stove to help, and they continued coating the yam slices.

Once the oil was hot, they just had to fry. Yuuri carefully placed a slice of yam into the oil to test the temperature and for Urgus to taste.

Yuuri was confident. Although it’s yam and a vegetable, deep-fried yam goes well with rice, almost like meat. This was based on experience. His family ate a lot of rice with this dish back home, so he was sure it would work here too.

“Alright, it’s ready. Try it.”

Yuuri placed the crispy fried yam on a plate, broke it in half, and offered it to Urgus. Urgus took a bite, surprised. He probably expected something like a French fry.

However, deep-fried yam is different. Unlike fries, deep-fried yam is enjoyed for its marinade flavor. The yam, having absorbed the soy-based marinade and fried to a crisp, had a deep flavor. It couldn’t be anything but delicious.

“…Is this really yam?”

“Yes. Isn’t it good deep-fried?”

“…Yeah.”

Urgus, who looked like a bully but was actually a well-mannered boy, honestly acknowledged the dish. He apologized for doubting that vegetables could be the main dish. Yuuri didn’t need an apology, so they continued frying yam together.

Attracted by the delicious smell, other kids came, and they were given the less perfect pieces of yam. Urgus quieted their demands for more by pointing out they needed to save some for dinner.

Even then, as they looked longingly, Yuuri gave them snacks he had made from stale bread, fried and sugared. Yuuri was always kind to the hungry kids.

At dinner, as usual, everyone enjoyed their meal. The men had plates full of deep-fried yam, but the women’s plates were different. Lelei, who liked fried foods, joined the men, but the other women and Jake had a grilled version of the yam.

The grilled yam, soaked in the same marinade and cooked in a frying pan, was a simpler dish. It didn’t absorb oil and was easier on the stomach. The taste was just as rich, so it also went well with rice.

“Yuuri, did you make this grilled version for us?”

“Huh? No, I also get a stomach ache if I eat too much fried food.”

“Oh, I see.”

Tifaana asked, and Yuuri replied absentmindedly. He liked deep-fried yam, but too much would upset his stomach. Thinking about this while drinking mushroom and onion miso soup, he felt content.

Initially, everyone was worried about what to do with the large amount of yam. But Yuuri was unfazed. Yam could be used in many ways. Though everyone thought it was just a side dish, Yuuri decided to make a lot of deep-fried yam today. He missed it. Yuuri’s menu decisions were usually based on available ingredients and his appetite. No other reason.

“Magg, stop eating only the yam!”

“Yeah, Magg! Eat your rice and other sides too!”

“…No.”

“”No is not an option!””

Magg sat in front of the large platter of deep-fried yam, eating it endlessly. He’s not usually a glutton, but he becomes like this when he likes a dish. Even when Urgus and Kurresh tried to pull him away, he calmly refused and continued eating. It’s a mystery why small Magg becomes so strong during these times, almost like the strength people get in emergencies.

Yuuri’s style of serving meals involves providing individual portions first. The main dish, side dishes, and soup are all served separately. After finishing their initial servings, if they still want more, the dishes are served in large portions. Soups are self-serve for refills.

So, Magg was eating the deep-fried yam as a second helping. Having already eaten the portion Yuuri insisted on, Magg felt free to have as much as he liked. Refills are generally allowed, and Yuuri doesn’t interfere because he can’t gauge the appetite of the perpetually hungry children.

However, watching the scene, Yuuri tilted his head in confusion. He couldn’t understand why Magg was so fixated on the deep-fried yam. What had struck a chord with him was a mystery to Yuuri.

“Yuuri, did you use dashi in the marinade for this yam?”

“…I did, but only a little.”

“That’s probably the reason, then…”

“Really? I didn’t use enough for anyone to notice. Magg is scary…”

Jake, analyzing the information like a scholar, explained, and Yuuri’s eyes widened before he murmured in disbelief. He did add dashi to the marinade to enhance the flavor. This would be unnecessary for meat or fish, but he thought it might be lacking with yam. He believed it was the right decision, as everyone found it delicious.

Still, Yuuri didn’t want to believe that a little dashi could send Magg into hyper-eating mode. He wondered how Magg even noticed.

“Magg’s taste buds seem to be getting sharper.”

“Frau, that’s beyond sharp.”

“I can taste the ginger, but not the dashi…”

“Don’t worry, Frau. Even I, who added the dashi, can’t taste it.”

As Frau commented while eating the grilled yam, Yuuri waved his hands dismissively. It was only a tiny amount of dashi that even he, the cook, couldn’t discern. Magg, however, seemed to have developed some uncanny skill, devouring the deep-fried yam as if sensing the dashi.

“Well, it’s tasty, so it’s natural to want to eat it.”

“But Jake, is it okay to eat just that?”

“Indeed. The others are getting agitated because they can’t have any.”

“Even if they’re agitated, I don’t think it will lead to a fight in the dining hall…”

While Jake responded casually, Frau and Tifaana sighed and looked away. Fights wouldn’t break out in the dining hall where everyone ate together. It was obvious. Or rather, if a fight seemed imminent, someone would surely intervene.

“Can’t you all eat more quietly? I’ll throw you all out!”

Ali, the guardian representative, would shout. The hungry children would freeze in place, but Magg remained steadfast, protecting his plate of deep-fried yam. His determination was unyielding.

Feeling sorry for Ali, Yuuri continued eating. Those at the same table felt similarly. Ali, who usually enjoyed a quiet meal with Brook, had to be pulled out to handle the noisy children. It seemed another tough day for him.

No one helped Ali with his disciplinary actions. If it were a matter of safety, others would assist, but for simple mealtime noise, no one stepped in. It was a usual scene.

Eventually, the children who loved the deep-fried yam begged for the next version to be made with meat, leading to a meat version being prepared a few days later.