2 Smoked Beef
This type of sake is quite remarkable in Japan.
Its overall taste is mild but not too strong, making it addictive. It makes people want to take a sip at any time of the day.
Especially the sweet taste when drinking it, it's romantic and heartwarming, leaving an unforgettable feeling!
"Well then, I won't be polite!"
Finally, the eager Rindō Kobayashi began to sip it delicately.
As the clear Japanese sake flowed down the throat, a hint of sweetness and a non-overpowering taste were felt. It had a rich fruity aroma, and even after swallowing, the aftertaste felt smooth.
The whole process seemed to fill her with energy!
"Wow!"
"This... this sake..."
Rindō Kobayashi's expression couldn't help but show some surprise.
...
Night in Japan.
It always makes people think of bars or taverns unintentionally!
It seems this place has a kind of magic.
No matter if you are a tired office worker, a busy high school student, or a housewife, you'll find your place at a tavern no matter where you come from.
A bottle of wine!
A plate of appetizers!
A delicious dish!
Here, you can enjoy pleasure and satisfaction in a pleasant dining environment.
In front of Zane, Rindō Kobayashi, the regular customer who just had a drink.
She was a frequent visitor to the tavern and was there on the first day when Zane opened the business.
Her identity was actually a second-year student at the Totsuki Culinary Academy.
It was said that she had recently become the second seat of the Ten Elites.
Ranked only after Shinomiya, she was considered a prominent figure in the entire Totsuki Culinary Academy!
...
During this period, on almost every peaceful night.
Rindō Kobayashi would visit this tavern to support the owner, Zane.
And every time, the first thing she did was to ask for a bottle of wine from him. Then she drank alone, enjoying a few dishes that she found delicious and refreshing.
"Owner, this wine... It feels somewhat different from before!"
"Although the taste at the beginning is similar, it slowly turns slightly bitter afterward."
"This unique taste seems difficult to pair with dishes and seems more suitable for standalone consumption."
After taking a sip, Rindō Kobayashi put down her glass and exhaled a fragrant breath.
Then, she blinked curiously at Zane and asked.
"The alcohol content of this sake is 15%, and the rice polishing ratio is 50%. These two are indeed different from the sake I used to brew."
"In other words, this sake has a more diverse taste."
"As you drink it, the aroma, taste, and all aspects continue to change. So, you need to calm down to savor the nuances of this sake."
Hearing this, Zane, who was busy with the ingredients, looked at Rindō Kobayashi and calmly replied.
...
In fact, in his tavern.
It has been more than a month since the opening!
Over time, Zane found that people in Japan quite enjoyed drinking, and unlimited drinking was a common sight.
Moreover, most of the customers who came here to drink and eat were office workers.
Due to the clearly defined hierarchy in the workplace, it was common to see seniors encouraging juniors to drink continuously in the lively atmosphere of the tavern!
Therefore, when closing time approached.
Zane always faced the challenge of waking up the intoxicated customers and sending them away!
Feeling helpless, he recently made some improvements to all the homemade drinks in the tavern.
While not compromising on taste and flavor, he slightly reduced the alcohol content of all beverages.
Rindō Kobayashi, after hearing Zane's explanation, couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
She had already noticed the sake in her cup was less intense but purer in taste.
Since her first visit to the tavern for a meal, she had found the sophisticated Zane to be mysterious and extraordinary!
Indeed, even in the field of cooking.
Even this legendary figure, who had recently risen to the second seat of the Ten Elites, felt inferior to him.
Every time she visited the tavern and tasted the exquisite dishes he prepared, she gained a lot and benefited greatly.
Perhaps? This was why Rindō Kobayashi liked this tavern.
...
Time flies.
After a long period of slow roasting with fruitwood smoke.
The beef on the smoker rack had most of its fat melted into the meat.
The aroma of the beef and the charcoal smoke could be smelled. Even Rindō Kobayashi, who was close by, was appetizing!
Then, a few drops of lemon juice poured over the beef, instantly releasing an enticing aroma. The hot air, filled with the smoky and meaty scents, floated in the air.
Gradually, the smoked beef on the smoker rack became extremely appealing!
Beside it, Rindō Kobayashi couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Her eyes, filled with greed, were fixed on the soon-to-be-finished smoked beef in front of her.
With a graceful sprinkle of salt, it finally finished.
The last dish, the smoked beef, was finally done!
Impatiently, Rindō Kobayashi, upon seeing the freshly baked smoked beef in front of her, couldn't help but feel excited.
After that, she quickly picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a small piece of beef, and couldn't help but start eating it.
As soon as it entered her mouth,
She found this smoked meat.
Very tender, not tough as one might expect.
With the smoky flavor and a hint of wood fragrance, the taste of the beef was unique!
"Mmm~"
"So that's it!"
"This smoked beef is first neatly trimmed."
"Then it is coated with a special blend of more than ten spices for smoking. Two of them are particularly effective in removing the gamey taste of the beef and enhancing its flavor."
"One is allspice, another... um... is it Sichuan pepper?"
"Anyway, the key is the slow smoking for an hour."
"During this time, it is occasionally brushed with seasoning sauce to enhance the moisture and flavor of the meat."
"So, just slicing a small piece of beef and savoring it, with the delicious meaty flavor mixed with the original smoky taste, is enough to make it unforgettable."
Swallowing, Rindō Kobayashi, in excitement, said while savoring the flavors.
Undoubtedly, this final dish of smoked beef was truly surprising to her!
