Chapter 369 Sauce
After the knife skills, the next step is to prepare the fish-flavored sauce.

Han Jiang uses an old sauce that has been aged for many years and adds more than ten kinds of seasonings to it.

This step was of no interest to the onlookers. They only saw Han Jiang adding various seasonings into the bowl but could not figure out the tricks involved.

For insiders, the preparation of fish-flavored sauce is the most important step.

Master Abe looked at it for a while and immediately frowned.

The reason is that Han Jiang not only added a large amount of seasonings, but each seasoning also had a strong taste.

Generally speaking, when preparing sauces, chefs will appropriately reduce the proportion of strong-flavored seasonings to achieve harmony among the various flavors and blend them skillfully into one.

But Han Jiang did not do so at all. Not only did he not reduce the proportion, but the stronger the seasoning, the more he added.

Doing so will create a dramatic conflict between flavors and destroy the unity of the dish's taste.

It shouldn't be.

Since Han Jiang's level is close to that of a top chef, he should know the common sense of seasoning.

When Dong Fang saw the expression on Master Abei's face, he immediately understood what she was thinking.

Because he had the same expression on his face when he first saw Han Jiang's actions.

And this is also what he admires most about Han Jiang.

While others tried their best to avoid what they did, Han Jiang did the opposite, going against the current and turning his shortcomings into his advantages with his outstanding skills.

Han Jiang’s dishes are always full of adventure, as if every dish is a gamble.

This is why his dishes always give people a pleasant surprise.

As a gourmet, Dong Fang has tasted all the delicacies in the world. Apart from the dishes prepared by top chefs, there are almost no dishes in the world that can surprise him.

And the more he tasted, the more boring it became.

For most dishes, he could tell how to cook them just by looking at them once, and he could tell what they tasted like just by going over them in his mind.

No surprises at all.

His favorite food lost its original appeal and temptation.

Just like love fades away with time, the blood and passion that once filled the heart, the emotion that once made the heart beat faster, gradually fade away in the boring repetition day after day.

Until he encountered Han Jiang's dishes. Han Jiang's novel and adventurous methods brought him new tastes and feelings every time he tasted them, rekindling the fire of love in his boring heart and rekindling his expectations for food.

It also allows his aging body to once again feel the vitality and passion of his youth.

Han Jiang’s dishes are not just a delicacy to him, but also his lost youth and passion.

Seeing the expression on Master Abei's face at this time, Dong Fang just smiled and said nothing.

Let Chef Abei keep this doubt in mind, so that when she tastes Han Jiang's dishes, she will be able to feel the surprise and excitement more strongly.

Dong Fang believes that no one in the world can resist the surprise and excitement, as well as the passion and emotion hidden in the dishes.

Therefore, Dong Fang has full confidence in Han Jiang and believes that he will definitely win this cooking competition.

Xu Qing already knew Han Jiang's approach and expertise, so he didn't pay much attention to him.

His focus was on Amu.

Can Amu break free from the shadow of Master Abe and find his own way?
This will determine the outcome of this duel.

But this sight made Xu Qing feel very disappointed.

Before, A-Mao's knife skills gave him a great surprise, but when it came to preparing the fish-flavored sauce, A-Mao's seasoning method was full of the shadow of Master A-Bei.

Whether it was the choice of seasoning, the proportions, or even the mixing method, it was exactly the same as Master Abei's, a complete replica of Master Abei's. This was the safest way to do it, because Master Abei was a top chef, even among the top chefs, she was a rare existence, her skills were honed through thousands of trials, even if Amu could only imitate 70% or 80% of her, he could still make extremely delicious dishes.

Not to mention that Amu imitated the cooking method almost perfectly. Judging from the taste of the dishes alone, they were almost the same as those made by Chef Abei himself.

But deliciousness alone is not enough...

Xu Qing had already clearly reminded him, but Amu still chose this path.

Is it because time is too tight?

Perhaps. With only two days, it was too difficult for Amu, who had never cooked before, to go from a culinary novice to a chef who had found his own way.

Even among experienced chefs, many never find their own path in their entire lives.

Just like Hong Xi and Li Shun.

Xu Qing's request was too difficult and beyond Amu's ability.

It is normal that Amu cannot do it.

Even though Xu Qing kept defending Amu in his heart, he couldn't hide his disappointment.

If Amu had failed to find his own way and just blindly imitated Master Abe's approach, the outcome of this duel would have been revealed in an instant.

Although Xu Qing's face looked normal, Ke Ling was still keenly aware of his emotional changes.

Ke Ling asked nervously, "Ah Qing, what's wrong? Did Ah Mao do something wrong?"

Xu Qing sighed, "No, it has nothing to do with Amu... It's my problem."

He had set too high a standard for Amu.

Xu Qing thought of Chef Tang and the three heroes. He never expected that he had done something similar to Chef Tang, placing too high expectations on Amu's young shoulders and forcing him to do things that he could not do in the first place.

And when Amu really failed to do it, he was disappointed again.

This is wrong, he shouldn't do this.

Xu Qing adjusted his mentality silently.

At this moment, Amu seemed to have sensed Xu Qing's thoughts. He suddenly raised his head and met Xu Qing's eyes.

There was calmness and determination in Amu's eyes, without a trace of confusion.

If he could only simply repeat Master Abe's path, he would not have such an expression.

Amu nodded slightly towards Xu Qing, then lowered his head and continued to work.

As for Xu Qing, the disappointment lingering in his heart gradually faded away, and hope and expectation returned to his heart.

It seems that the outcome of this cooking showdown is still unknown.

Soon, the two opponents reached the final step, stir-fry.

The heat waves raised by the flames hit people in the face, and the people standing outside the door could feel it clearly, making their hearts burn with heat.

Han Jiang displayed his superb skills as usual. The heavy iron pot in his hand was flipped over and over like a small toy. The colorful dishes were flying and dancing in the air. Every time they fell and jumped up, the colors became brighter, as if they were painted with bright dyes by invisible hands.

On the other side, Amu was not much behind. Although his skills were not as proficient as Han Jiang's, they were also eye-opening. Especially considering his age, it was quite amazing that he had such skills.

Many people who had been pessimistic about Amu now looked at him in a different light.

"This kid is really extraordinary!"

"It seems that the outcome of this duel is unpredictable."

(End of this chapter)