Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 256

Dough that has gained some stickiness needs to be pressed down firmly after lightly sprinkling it with flour.

This eliminates air pockets, resulting in chewier noodles.

Gordon, who had been watching Cainchel knead the dough with his arms crossed, his eyes lighting up.

“Strange. His movements look clumsy, like an apprentice. But he instinctively knows how to make the noodles delicious. It’s like watching a master who has been kneading pasta for years.”

The noodle-making skill disappeared when he entered the Tower of Trials. However, its essence had already become ingrained in Cainchel.

‘To think he could spot that at a glance. Truly Gordon-like perception.’

After about 10 minutes of persistent kneading, the dough became round and glossy. Now, it needs to be rolled out with a rolling pin to make it even chewier.

Then, it can be put into a pasta machine to shape it, or thinly sliced with a knife to complete the pasta.

“Pasta is largely divided into long pasta and short pasta depending on its length. Shall we start by making linguine?”

Linguine is a type of pasta with long, thin noodles like spaghetti, but flattened.

It’s easy to make without a pasta machine and goes well with rich sauces.

Cainchel recalled the ‘Kalguksu’ [Korean knife-cut noodle soup] he had made once under the Red Clouds and began to cut the noodles in earnest.

“Hmm.”

Thanks to his level 13 beginner swordsmanship, the linguine was completed uniformly, elegantly, and beautifully, as if it had been pressed out by a pasta machine.

One side of Gordon’s lip curled up.

He looked extremely grumpy, but it seemed he thought he was smiling.

“I was going to explain the difference between hand-cut noodles and those made with a small pasta machine, but it seems there’s no point. From today, Cainchel will help Joffrey make fresh pasta dough.”

“Understood, Chef.”

‘This feels more like leveling up my skills than a trial?’

However, there was no reason to refuse.

* * *

The variety of pasta is immense.

From the thin and slender shapes that commonly come to mind when you think of noodles, to those resembling tubes or bow ties.

Therefore, the number of tools used to make them exceeds thirty.

Gordon’s restaurant mainly used bronze molds to make pasta.

Bronze molds are expensive and quickly wear out, but they can create pasta with complex shapes and rough surfaces.

This allows the sauce to adhere well, resulting in a richer flavor.

Joffrey, perhaps bored of just kneading dough, constantly talked about pasta.

“Usually, people think of eating pasta by putting sauce on top of noodles. But, guess what! If you go to Marpashino, you can find ravioli filled with beef, cheese, eggs, and more.”

‘……Marpashino-style dumplings, huh? I should go and try them myself if I get the chance.’

Not only that, but there was also a pasta called lasagna, which is shaped like a wide sheet.

It was a dish made by layering various meats, vegetables, cheeses, and tomato sauce.

You could say it’s a pasta similar to tacos.

Cainchel recalled the shapes and forms of the hundreds of types of pasta he had made over the past month.

‘Right……. Instead of simply drawing out Aura long and thin, I can create molds and press them into them to create much more diverse shapes. Just like this pasta.’

Then, a system notification appeared in front of Cainchel, announcing the emergence of a new cooking skill.

[Your pasta-making skills are exceptional.]

[A new form has been added to the ‘Noodle Making 製麺’ skill.]

‘A new form added……?!’

When he opened the skill window, the word ‘Noodle Making’ that should have disappeared was clearly written there.

When he moved his finger and touched it, the names of the countless pasta noodles he had made so far were listed.

Clearly, its potential was endless.

Combine wheel-shaped rotelle and cylindrical rigatoni. Wouldn’t it be possible to subdue even the mighty Gran Karak?

Cainchel’s body trembled with excitement. He wanted to test the Noodle Making skill with the added pasta as soon as possible.

And that opportunity came sooner than he thought.

Merlin, the restaurant’s waiter, rushed into the kitchen with a flustered face.

“Kihihik! Chef Gordon……! A customer has ordered Aglio e Olio! [Garlic and Oil pasta]”

Aglio e Olio is the most basic menu item using oil sauce.

It’s a simple dish, as the name suggests, made by slicing garlic and cooking it in olive oil, then serving it with pasta.

“If it’s Aglio e Olio, we don’t have it on the menu, but we can make it if the customer wants it. So what’s the problem?”

“Well, they want the Aglio e Olio made by the newbie. No matter how much the principle is to make whatever the customer wants, the newbie’s cooking is a different story……!”

Cainchel, who was making pasta noodles, looked at the waiter Merlin and smiled wryly.

‘To think I’d see that man again like this…….’

And he turned his head to check the customer in the hall.

There sat a knight with an expressionless face and a sickly-looking noble lady.

Cainchel’s eyes narrowed.

‘Strange……. I’m sure I’ve never seen them before? But why are they asking me to cook for them directly?’

This place is a world reconstructed by the Tower of Trials based on Cainchel’s memories.

Nothing that happens is too strange.

Gordon Rambolton stroked his chin and approached Cainchel.

“Aglio e Olio is a dish where the taste of the pasta is most important. Would you like to make it, Cainchel? If it’s noodles made by you, I’m sure the customer will be satisfied.”

Then, the chef who was working next to him glared. To entrust the cooking to a newbie who has only been here for three months?

No matter how well he makes noodles, it doesn’t make sense.

“C, Chef Gordon……. Even so, that’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

“So, are you dissatisfied, Joffrey? I know you’ve asked Cainchel to make the pasta you should be making yourself several times. He made it quite palatable.”

“W, well, the workload…….”

“What? So, are you saying you’re dissatisfied, Joffrey?”

“……No, sir.”

In the end, Cainchel was asked to make Aglio e Olio as the customer wanted.

Standing in front of the cooking table, Cainchel clenched his fist.

Cooking without proper skills is extremely difficult. Therefore, the dish he is about to make is of great significance.

Cainchel looked once again at the customer who had ordered the Aglio e Olio.

The noble lady, who was constantly chattering about what was so enjoyable, and the young knight, who was silently listening to her.

The deep affection in his eyes showed how much he loved the noble lady.

He still didn’t know who they were, but wasn’t it enough that they had ordered his cooking?

He just needed to make the dish as delicious as possible so that this could be the best moment.

‘Then, shall we start by boiling plenty of water in a sufficiently large pot?’

He decided to use pasta that had been made in advance and slightly aged.

When he checked the condition, he nodded involuntarily. This is the best pasta noodle I can make right now.

Cainchel seasoned the water with salt while it was boiling. It’s important to add enough to make it slightly salty when tasted. Even if it seems like a little too much, it will all drain out when you discard the water anyway.

‘When you put the noodles in the boiling water, you have to twist them slightly so they don’t stick together. Hmm, really perfectly wonderful.’

When the pasta goes in, the water temperature naturally drops.

So, you need to cover it to bring the water back to a boil. That was something he could know without using Fallen Star.

Boil, boil-

When the pasta is cooked to some extent, take some of the water used to boil the noodles and set it aside. You add that when mixing the noodles and sauce.

Then, the flavors of the two ingredients combine into one. The pasta becomes very luxurious, sophisticated, and delicious.

While the noodles were boiling, he started slicing the garlic. Usually, 4 cloves are used per serving.

‘Slicing it a little thicker prevents the garlic from burning easily and improves the texture.’

Then, Joffrey, who had been watching with an anxious expression, exclaimed.

“C, cough! You’re doing better than I thought.”

“Thank you.”

Cainchel was now only one step away from the most important stage in making Aglio e Olio.

Add about 4 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan, then add the garlic you just sliced and stir-fry.

It’s important to stir-fry over low heat so that the garlic flavor permeates the entire oil.

As the garlic flavor permeated the olive oil well, Cainchel crushed and added peperoncino [dried chili peppers] to add a spicy flavor.

Then, shake the pan well to mix it.

‘The garlic is turning a wonderful golden brown. Soon, a stronger and more delicious garlic aroma will rise.’

And in an instant, a rich garlic aroma began to spread throughout the restaurant.

“Where is this strong garlic smell coming from? What dish are they making in the kitchen right now?”

“It’s called Aglio e Olio, sir.”

“There was no such menu……?! Could it be a hidden secret menu or something?”

“……Well, it’s, uh, a common oil pasta.”

“Huh? An oil pasta smells this good?! Honey! Order me a bowl of Aglio e Olio too.”

“Alright. Here, bring us two bowls of Aglio e Olio.”

“Understood. I’ll check with the kitchen first.”

Suddenly, the steps of the waiters who were serving became faster. New orders poured in like a tide from all directions.

Cainchel’s eyes widened.

It’s just a basic oil pasta with nothing special.

But to captivate so many customers like this.

‘Is this the greatness of pasta I learned from Gordon Rambolton? It’s too amazing?!’

This incident became an opportunity for Cainchel to reflect once again on what delicious food is.

The 7-star Gourmet skill and the still 6-star Cooking skill.

The difference is clear…….

‘……Anyway, I should finish the dish I was making.’

Now it was time to put the well-boiled pasta into the oil. Before that, he didn’t forget to sprinkle some of the noodle water he had set aside.

‘Hmm. The garlic scent is really fragrant and intense. Now, if I turn off the heat and mix it well with the oil, it will become the best Aglio e Olio……!’

Finally, sprinkle with pepper, Parmesan cheese, and parsley to complete it.

Cainchel took a slow, deep breath and looked at the dish in front of him.

It looks so delicious that it makes your mouth water just by looking at it. To be able to make it this far without proper cooking skills.

‘But why would anyone come to such a high-end restaurant to order Aglio e Olio, which anyone can easily make?’

Only the knight who ordered the dish would know.

Cainchel called Merlin, who was loitering outside the kitchen.

“Merlin, here are two plates of Aglio e Olio!”

Then, the waiter Merlin scratched the back of his head and shook his head from side to side.

“Well, the customer said they want to meet the chef who made the dish in person. What’s going on?”

“They want to meet me in person?”

“Yes. Chef Gordon also allowed it. Serve it yourself, Cainchel.”

Cainchel put the two plates of pasta on a serving tray with a bewildered expression.

And when he went out into the hall, they were still sitting in their chairs, looking exactly the same as they had 10 minutes ago.

The knight with the stern face stood up and greeted him with the etiquette of a knight.

And he smiled and said.

“Finally, I get to eat a dish made by you. Cainchel van Gistad.”

A very familiar voice. Only then did Cainchel realize who the man in front of him was.

“H, how are you here…….”