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

Nutritious Chicken Kinchaku

Yuuri stole a glance at Urgus. He wondered what the “handyman” thought of his role, but Urgus, though wearing a slightly annoyed expression, continued making minced meat and tossing it into the bowl without missing a beat. …Given it was Magg, perhaps he’d resigned himself to this arrangement.

Yuuri decided that once the food was ready, he’d let Urgus taste it. After all, anyone who worked so hard on mincing deserved to enjoy the result.

Poor Urgus, but Yuuri was grateful to use his minced meat for dinner. He tossed the minced Wing Kocco meat into a bowl of finely chopped carrots and burdock root. He added salt and pepper and kneaded until well-mixed. At just the right moment, he mixed in a small amount of miso for depth. Adding miso, Yuuri felt, brought out extra umami.

The mixture was then stuffed into pouches of fried tofu. Once filled, he closed the tofu’s opening with toothpicks to keep the contents from spilling out. The toothpicks, though already around, were inconveniently designed, so Yuuri had requested ones resembling Japanese toothpicks be made. …According to Hallows, they were selling quite well.

“Magg, can I ask you to stuff them like this?”

“Understood.”

“Hey, hey, why stuff them into tofu pouches? Why not grill it?”

“Not grilling. Boiling.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Seasoned with dashi and soy sauce, simmered slowly… Magg, focus on your work.”

“…Understood.”

While explaining to Hermine, Yuuri felt a silent pressure. When he glanced over, Magg was staring at him intently, hands stopped. Upon being called out, Magg nodded and resumed work, faster this time. …This reaction at the mention of dashi. So steadfast.

Yuuri and Magg worked together, quickly completing pouch after pouch. Once done, Yuuri submerged the filled pouches into the broth he’d prepared while Magg worked. Lightly seasoned with powdered dashi, soy sauce, and salt, the broth had a simple flavor. Though adding sugar for a sweet-savory taste was an option, Yuuri chose a milder approach this time.

One by one, the chicken pouches were added to the simmering pot. Once all were submerged and covered by the broth, he placed the lid on. Now, it was just a matter of letting the flavors seep in.

“Tasty?”

“Yeah, I think so. The minced meat inside adds flavor, too.”

“Tasty.”

“…Magg, you really love dashi, huh…”

“Kelp, tasty.”

“Wait, only kelp dashi?”

Curiously questioned by Yuuri, Magg shook his head. He loved dashi and umami, a world Yuuri had introduced to him, and it captivated him. But kelp dashi was his favorite, for reasons even Magg couldn’t explain. It simply suited his taste.

Magg watched the pot like a child, enjoying even the rising steam, savoring the aroma of dashi. Yuuri chuckled at the sight and glanced at Urgus, who was smiling wryly beside him.

“Urgus, you’ll taste some too, right?”

“Huh?”

“You helped with the mincing.”

“…Oh, thanks.”

“Should be me thanking you. …Don’t worry, Hermine can taste it too.”

“Great!”

From across the counter, Hermine had leaned forward eagerly. Yuuri chuckled at her expression; had he not mentioned it, she looked ready to yell, “What about me!?” While her enthusiasm might mar her beauty, seeing a pretty girl relish food was priceless.

As they chatted, the minced meat and vegetables in the pouches cooked through. Yuuri removed one, took out the toothpick, and quartered it with a knife. Once cooked, the tofu pouch maintained its shape, so removing the toothpick didn’t cause spillage.

Steam rose from the cut, releasing the savory aroma of broth-soaked tofu. But the sight was made more enticing by the mix of cooked white minced meat, orange carrots, and brownish burdock root. Juices flowed from the meat, making it hard not to crave a bite.

“Here, one each. Be careful; it’s hot.”

“Yeah.”

“Understood.”

“Okay!”

The trio eagerly took the offered chicken pouches on small plates, using forks to bring them to their mouths. Urgus blew on his to cool it before taking a bite. Magg and Hermine, meanwhile, cut their pieces even smaller before eating. Watching them, Yuuri picked up a piece with his chopsticks and bit in.

The slightly stronger broth flavor, reminiscent of clear soup, soaked through the tofu and spread in his mouth. The extra umami likely came from the miso-mixed minced meat. Cooked carrots and burdock added a tender texture that crumbled pleasantly.

“So, how’s the taste… wait, Magg, stop! That’s enough taste-testing!”

“No.”

“Don’t say no! Urgus! Help!”

“Huh? …Hey, what are you doing, you idiot! Stop eating!”

“Refuse.”

“Refuse, my ass!”

Somehow, Magg had already taken another chicken pouch. As Yuuri cried out, Urgus intervened, prying the smaller Magg away from the pot. …But Magg, having claimed the new pouch, still devoured it completely.

For eating an extra sample, Magg’s dinner serving was reduced by one. …Though, the remaining portions were shared among everyone.

The leftover minced meat was kneaded with miso, forming meatballs for the soup.