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

Thoroughly Brined Grilled Salmon

“What are you going to do with these salmon fillets?”

“Soak them in saltwater.”

“…Saltwater?”

Faced with raw salmon fillets lined up on the cutting board, Yakk tilted his head. Normally, salmon fillets are sprinkled with salt before grilling, but for some reason, Yuuri wasn’t doing that. Instead, he was preparing a tray of saltwater with a small amount of sake mixed in. The salt level was such that a taste test would confirm a clear saltiness—essentially, a fairly concentrated brine. Into this saltwater, the raw salmon fillets were tossed in one after another. Today’s lunch was for ten people—a relatively large group. Hence, there were ten salmon fillets. Yakk watched curiously as the raw salmon disappeared into the saltwater.

“Yuuri, aren’t you going to grill them?”

“I am.”

“Then why soak them in saltwater?”

“When you salt the surface before grilling, doesn’t it sometimes end up too salty on the outside?”

“It does!”

Yakk nodded vigorously in response to Yuuri’s question. Salt-grilled fish typically involves salting the surface before cooking, but if not done skillfully, the flavor can be uneven. In extreme cases, the skin could turn out crispy and well-seasoned, but the flesh inside might end up bland and unsatisfying. Yakk, having faced this himself, nodded sincerely. Yuuri had experienced it too. Sprinkling salt on the surface alone made achieving balance tricky. However, soaking in brine solved this problem by thoroughly infusing the flavor, similar to marinating in sauce.

“When you soak it like this, the salt penetrates, so the flavor is even throughout.”

“Wow.”

“That way, it’s easy to eat since the taste is consistent.”

“That’s really great.”

“Right?”

A beaming Yakk and a characteristically laid-back Yuuri—just another typical scene for them. After soaking the salmon, other preparations followed. Grilled salmon calls for a Japanese-style meal—rice over bread. With that in mind, Yuuri set about preparing miso soup, simmered dishes, and other Japanese-style accompaniments. As usual, Yuuri ensured that the miso soup had at least three ingredients for depth of flavor. Once all the other preparations were complete, it was time to remove the salmon from the brine. Judging this was a matter of instinct, difficult to explain, as it depended on the fish’s size and quantity. The precise timing was something only grilling would confirm. The salmon, taken from the brine, was laid out on the cutting board, and gently patted dry with a cloth. It had to be done carefully to avoid damaging the fish.

“Alright, time to grill the salmon.”

“It doesn’t look that different, honestly.”

“Well, the taste is the real surprise.”

“True.”

While chatting leisurely, the pair briskly set about preparing lunch. As the aroma of the grilling salmon filled the air, everyone drifted into the dining area. Each person’s meal tray was laid out in a set-meal style. It might as well have been a grilled fish set meal, but no one minded. Taste is what matters. Everyone joined in saying “Itadakimasu” and the meal began. Yuuri broke into the freshly grilled salmon. The high-quality fish flaked apart beautifully. The cooking temperature was just right, making it easy to separate from the bone. The contrast between the soft pink flesh and crispy skin was visually appealing and appetizing. Yuuri took a small, flaked bite. Warm salmon flavor spread in his mouth. The gentle, consistent saltiness blended with the salmon’s fat, creating an exquisite taste. It wasn’t too salty, so it didn’t leave him parched. Since the flavor was uniform, every bite was enjoyable. From Yuuri’s perspective, it was a satisfying result. Compared to the typical salted-grilled version, this had reduced salt content while still achieving a deep, balanced flavor.

“Salted salmon really is delicious.”

“Yuuri, this is tasty no matter where you eat it.”

“Did you like it, Yakk?”

“I loved it! Can we do this with other fish too?”

“Sure.”

“Then let’s try another kind next time.”

“Got it.”

Smiling as they sat side by side, Yuuri and Yakk enjoyed their meal. Nearby, Brook, who had been eating quietly, turned his attention to their exchange.

“Did you use some special technique for this salted salmon?”

“Not really. Instead of salting the surface, I soaked it in brine.”

“Brine?”

“Yes. That way, the flavor is evenly absorbed.”

“I see.”

Nodding slightly as he tasted the flaked salmon, Brook noted the consistent seasoning compared to the typical salted-grilled fish, which could sometimes taste uneven. Others, overhearing the explanation, murmured agreement, but Yuuri continued eating, unconcerned. After all, deliciousness is paramount. The peaceful lunch was progressing nicely until a commotion at its conclusion. Yuuri, savoring each bite, ate a bit more slowly than the others. It wasn’t particularly slow, but among adventurers accustomed to quick meals, he was on the slower side.