Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 17

Chapter 6: Honey Butter Sandwich

There was a week left until the start of the hottest season.

He had to finish all the preparations before then.

‘First, let’s decide on the menu. Since it’s street food, it should be easy to eat and quick to make.’

Keinzel’s best dish was steak.

He could sense subtle temperature differences using the Fallen Star’s ability.

If possible, he wanted a menu that would take advantage of that.

‘Should I do skewers then?’

Meat, green onions, mushrooms, etc., skewered on a long stick, brushed with a matching sauce, and grilled over charcoal.

They’re easy to make, and the amazing smell when grilling easily attracts customers.

Because of that, many skewer stalls pop up during the festival season.

In the end, the competition is fierce, making it difficult to hit the jackpot.

‘No. You can’t make money doing what everyone else does. Then, what about other menus….’

Ingredients can be prepared in advance. Easy to eat and contains grilled meat….

A menu that perfectly matched all the conditions came to Keinzel’s mind.

‘…Laus-style sandwich.’

If you prepare the bread in advance, you can grill the meat on the spot, add fresh vegetables, and sprinkle sauce.

Now that the menu was decided, it was time to move.

First, he decided to ask John, the janitor who manages the incinerator, if he had anything useful.

He gave John a pork barbecue and three packs of rolling tobacco.

Then a happy smile appeared on John’s face.

“I have just the thing.”

“Oh, really? Thank you always.”

“Hehe, you’ve been working in the kitchen and bringing me such delicious things. I should be especially close with people who work in the cafeteria.”

Following John, there was a carriage that looked luxurious at first glance.

“…This could be sold as used.”

“The wheels are broken, but if you fix that part, it will be very useful. I was going to pass it on to a nearby merchant, but since Young Master Keinzel needs it, I’m giving it to you specially.”

“Thank you so much. Tell me if there’s any other food you want to eat.”

Keinzel borrowed tools from John and began to modify the carriage.

Keinzel had lived by repairing old mansions himself because he couldn’t afford to hire a carpenter.

This wasn’t that difficult.

Still, since he wasn’t a professional carriage repairman, he was only going to repair the broken wheels and remove the ceiling to face the customers directly.

But was it thanks to his greatly improved dexterity?

Keinzel was cutting wood and sawing as skillfully as if he had become a real carpenter.

‘At this rate, I might as well make a new one?’

John, who was watching from the side, opened his mouth.

“Y, Young Master Keinzel! Your hammering hand is so fast that I can’t even see it! How good is your handiwork!”

Keinzel answered with a smile.

He installed an iron plate inside so that he could grill meat.

He put up a tent to secure enough work space.

In addition, he made chairs to sit on with the remaining wood.

“Hehe…. I didn’t know you had such talent. If I ever need anything fixed in the future, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course. I’m always indebted to you, John.”

In that way, a plausible mobile stall was completed in two days.

The only problem was that there were no horses to pull the cart.

“Well, my stamina has increased a lot. I’ll just pull it myself!”

He tried pulling the stall as a test, and it was manageable.

The increased stats could be used not only in combat but also in everyday life.

“Then, is there only one thing left?”

Bread is as important as meat for making sandwiches.

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the bread is cut in half, filled with grilled meat and vegetables, cheese, and grilled once more.

Then, a Laus-style sandwich that makes your mouth water just by looking at it is completed.

“To increase profits even by a penny, it would be better to make the bread myself, right?”

But Keinzel doesn’t know how to make bread yet. All he knows is how to make pancakes by mixing water, milk, and eggs and baking them.

To make sandwich bread, you need the skill to make ‘real’ bread by adding yeast and letting it rise.

“I happen to know an expert in that field.”

Keinzel recalled the face of Joffrey, the former cake shop owner.

He would use anything he could.

@

“You want me to teach you how to make bread?”

“Yes.”

“Why would I?”

He thought they had become quite close, but Joffrey’s reaction was still prickly.

But after working together in the kitchen for a month,

Keinzel had already figured out how to handle him.

“It must be hard for you to make bread for hundreds of people all by yourself, right?”

“Well, what can I do? It’s my job.”

“Actually, that’s why I’m trying to learn.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“If I learn how to make bread this summer, I can help you from the fall. But if it’s difficult for you to teach me such an important skill, just teach me how to knead the dough. That alone will reduce your workload.”

“Heh…. So, Master Keinzel, you want to help me because you see that I’m having a hard time working alone?”

“It’s not that grand. Let’s help each other a little bit. If you let me, I’ll even clean the bakery.”

“Kh, khm.”

Joffrey frowned as if he was contemplating.

‘Good, he took the bait. Then, let’s finish it off.’

Keinzel acted as if he was looking at the most respectable person.

“Among the chefs working in the cafeteria, Chef Joffrey is the busiest. The cafeteria can’t function without Chef Joffrey. So, I just want to ease the burden a little bit.”

“Oh, oh. As expected, Master Keinzel is very perceptive. Yes, the cafeteria can’t function without me. Well, then, I’ll teach you how to make bread dough, even if I can’t teach you how to make cakes.”

“Thank you, Chef.”

Keinzel turned around and raised one corner of his mouth.

That’s how Chef Joffrey’s special bread-making class began.

As soon as he entered the bakery, the air changed. It felt at least 5 degrees hotter than the already hot outside.

Joffrey wiped the flowing sweat and said.

“Do you know what bread is made of?”

“Isn’t it flour?”

“That’s what people usually think. Well, I’ll give you a 50-point answer. The correct answer is air.”

What bread is made of air? Keinzel’s eyes sparkled at the first time he heard that.

As expected, the world of cooking is as profound as swordsmanship.

“I like the contrast between the crispy crust and the moist and soft inside with holes.”

Joffrey took a loaf of bread left over from serving and explained as he cut it in half.

“This soft part is called the crumb. And the air pockets that make up the crumb are called alveoli [small cavities]. This is a very important part that determines the texture. Gas is trapped in these winding holes, adding to the flavor of the bread.”

“The scent of freshly baked bread is really good. I think it’s more fascinating than the scent of wine or coffee.”

“Haha. Then I’ll tell you why air is important.”

Joffrey first showed how to make bread dough.

Mixed flour with sugar, salt, butter, water, nonfat dry milk, and milk to make the dough.

Finally, he added a little of the powder he had been carefully storing.

That was the yeast, the key to leavening the bread.

“This meets the air and makes the bread dough rise. Do you know why the temperature in the bakery is so high?”

“Isn’t it to make the bread rise better?”

“That’s right. The dough starts to rise at a temperature higher than human body temperature. We can’t raise the temperature of our hands, so we heat the inside of the bakery like this.”

The temperature of a person’s hand is not enough, so the temperature of the bakery is raised.

‘Oh, wait a minute. Then what if I can raise the temperature of my hands?’

Keinzel had Fallen Star and over 30% fire resistance.

Using those two things, he could raise the temperature of his palms as much as he wanted.

‘This is worth a try.’

First, it was important to watch Joffrey make bread until the end.

After mixing the ingredients and kneading for about 15 minutes, the sticky dough began to clump together.

“Okay, it’s done. Put this in the fermentation room to let it rise, then put it in a bread pan so it doesn’t lose its shape, and bake it in a 220-degree oven for 45 minutes, and it’s done.”

“Then I’ll try it this time.”

“Hehe. It’ll be a little difficult at first. First, we’ll bake the dough you made together and compare them.”

Keinzel’s eyes lit up.

Was it thanks to his 4-star cooking level? He just watched how to make it, but he seemed to know the meaning behind it.

‘Then, let’s raise the temperature of my palms and go into the dough.’

Keinzel put both hands in the oven, avoiding Joffrey’s gaze, and lightly baked them.

His hands turned red, but he didn’t feel any pain because of his fire resistance.

‘The temperature of both hands has risen by about 15 degrees Celsius. Should I call this state the Fire Fist?’

A smile appeared on Keinzel’s lips.

He was already looking forward to seeing what kind of bread the Fire Fist dough would produce.

After kneading the dough for about 15 minutes, the stickiness disappeared, and it began to become elastic.

Joffrey stroked his chin and checked the bread dough Keinzel had made.

“Hmm. Now, let it sit for about an hour to let it rise for the first time…. Huh! W, what, this dough!”

“Is there a problem?”

“It’s not a problem! No, is this the dough you just made? How is it already fermented like this!”

That was exactly what it was.

The bread dough Keinzel made was rising in an ideal shape that didn’t need to be fermented separately.

‘Did I encounter another stroke of luck?’

The Fire Fist was a technique created on impulse. But a great result was born that surprised Joffrey.

The fermentation time, which would normally take more than 2 hours, was reduced to 1/10.

Joffrey shouted excitedly.

“L, let’s add more butter and bake butter rolls! H, did you just make the dough? How could this happen….”

“If you tell me how, I’ll do it. I want to finish it with my own hands until the end.”

“….Okay.”

Joffrey’s hands were trembling with excitement.

That’s how the butter rolls made with Fire Fist were completed.

“Let’s see how well you made it.”

First, put your nose to the freshly baked butter roll and smell it. Then, he poked the bread with his finger to check its elasticity.

“It smells good, and it’s very well baked. Is this really the first time you’ve made it? If you confess the truth, I’ll let you off with one headlock.”

“Haha….”

Joffrey couldn’t believe that Keinzel was making bread for the first time today.

Next was the taste test.

Keinzel cut the freshly baked butter roll in half. Then, the savory smell stimulated his sense of smell.

When he cut the bread in half and put it in his mouth, the butter flavor spread throughout his mouth.

It was too soft to be called bread. It was freshly baked and warm, and it had a subtle sweetness.

The savory wheat flavor spread softly in his mouth.

Keinzel had a blank expression on his face.

Is this really the bread he made?

It’s so delicious!

Joffrey, who had finished the tasting, gave his impressions.

“It’s delicious. Honestly, you made it better than the butter rolls I made. How did you knead the dough?”

“I’m glad it’s delicious. It’s all thanks to Chef Joffrey’s good teaching.”

Keinzel smiled modestly.

However, his gaze was directed towards the Joma Mirror hanging around his neck.

[4-star dish ‘Fluffy Butter Roll’ has been completed. The skill level is very high.]

[Baking level has been created.]

[You have created bread with a level of perfection that exceeds your skill and have gained tremendous experience.]

….

….

[Baking level has increased.]

[Baking level has increased.]

[Baking level has increased.]

‘….Jackpot!’

Not only was a baking level created, but it also rose to 4 stars in an instant.

The most advanced dish Keinzel had made so far was a 3-star steak.

But the first bread he made had a 4-star level of perfection.

It was the power of the Fire Fist that made it possible.

Keinzel looked at his fist, which had now completely cooled down and returned to its original state.

‘If I only have the Fire Fist, I can make amazing bread for sandwiches!’

He swallowed without realizing it.

Bread for sandwiches baked with Fire Fist dough.

‘If I put ham and meat made with Fallen Star in there….’

Maybe a ridiculous sandwich will be born?

But then the impact of the sauce that would enhance the taste of the bread and meat is weak.

Laotian sandwiches usually contain mustard sauce and butter.

‘There’s just one thing missing. A sauce that will bring out the best taste of bread baked with Fire Fist and meat made with Fallen Star….’

As soon as one problem was solved, another one popped out.

Joffrey seemed to have misunderstood something when Keinzel suddenly made a serious expression while eating butter rolls.

“Ah, I almost forgot. You need this for butter rolls.”

Joffrey took out maple syrup from the cupboard.

Then he put a lot of syrup on the butter roll and put it in his mouth.

“Kh, this is the taste. When the savory taste of butter meets the sweet taste of maple syrup, it feels like my whole body is melting.”

At that moment, Keinzel raised his head.

“Chef Joffrey! What did you just say?”

“Ah, I said that the savory taste of butter and the sweet taste of maple syrup go surprisingly well together.”

“Yes, that’s it!”

Laotian sandwiches are filled with butter. Savory and salty taste. But what if sweetness is added to that?

Maybe something ridiculous will be born.

Keinzel felt his body trembling with excitement.

A new dish that didn’t exist before was being created from his hands.

“Butter with honey…. Yes, honey butter sandwich….! Let’s make a prototype right now!”

Keinzel asked Joffrey for permission and applied for an outing to get ingredients.

His cooking level hadn’t been rising at all for a while.

Maybe something will change by creating a new dish.

Honey Butter Sandwich #2