落とし穴番外：もう一品 (Part2)
I offered a brief word of caution before heading over to the liquor section to browse the selection.
"Brother Yuki, if it’s Milly-ane-san..."
"Yuki-san, over here!"
"““So fast!?””"
For some reason, the adventurers looked startled. Are they idiots? If a wife senses her husband’s presence, she should drop everything and rush to his side immediately, shouldn't she?
"Oh, Milly. You're done with work, right?"
"Yes, I’ve finished for the day. I was just picking out some drinks for home."
I showed him my shopping basket as I spoke.
"Perfect timing. I was thinking of adding one more appetizer to go with the ramen. Is there anything you’d like to eat?"
"Really!?"
Wow. Yuki-san adding another dish to the menu means our dinner table will be even more bountiful tonight. Plus, it’s an extra snack for our drinks, which makes me even happier.
"I wouldn't lie about something like that. So, what are you craving?"
"Let’s see... do you mind if we look around a bit?"
"Sure, I’m sure we’ll find something good."
And so, Yuki-san and I began wandering through Super Ratz together—browsing sections like the produce aisle that I usually don't visit when I'm alone.
"How about something meat-based?"
"Meat, huh? But we’re having ramen today, right? I was planning on ordering extra chashu anyway..."
"Ah, right. Chashu alone is plenty for a snack. How about we look for something vegetable-based instead?"
"Vegetables? Maybe some deep-fried eggplant in dashi?"
"That sounds good, too. But don't you usually eat that at the pubs?"
"Well, I suppose you're right."
It’s true—pubs often serve vegetable-based appetizers, so I’m used to having them with my drinks, and I often order them as extras.
"Then, for something else... oh, this looks good."
As Yuki-san said that, he reached out and picked up...
"Oh, these are some large shiitake mushrooms, aren't they?"
"Yeah. If you sprinkle them with salt and pepper, grill them, drop a bit of butter on top, and finish with a splash of soy sauce, they’re delicious. A mushroom sauté, if you will."
"Oh, like that butter-soy sauce flavor you get with pasta?"
"Something like that. And since these shiitake are so big, they’re really satisfying."
"That sounds wonderful. Let’s go with these."
We tossed about ten packs into the basket. With such a large family, even that much would disappear in no time. I was just thinking about how happy I was to have an extra snack when a hand reached in from the side, right between me and Yuki-san, and snatched up a mountain of shiitake.
"Brother Yuki, could you tell us exactly how to make that?"
"Sure, no problem. It’s nothing complicated. Just do what I said. If I had to give you a tip, when you add the butter and soy sauce, put it right into the cap. Don't just drop it into the pan; treat the mushroom like a little bowl. That’s the secret to making the flavor rich."
"““I see, I see!””"
Wait a minute. A cooking class just started right next to me. Honestly, interrupting my lovey-dovey time with Yuki-san? That is just unacceptable...
"It gets rich pretty quickly, so try using a little less at first. Taste it, then adjust. Something like this."
"I see. We can definitely do that. Thank you!"
"Good food should be cheap and tasty, after all. Don't worry about it. Come by and tell me about your adventures again sometime."
"““Yes!””"
*Ufufu.* Yuki-san really is incredibly popular with the adventurers. At first, some of them mocked him for looking scrawny, but he never let it bother him, and before we knew it, they were all close friends.
As I watched the adventurers walk off, chatting excitedly about what else to buy, Yuki-san turned to me.
"Alright, let’s wrap this up and head home."
"Yes."
With that, I took Yuki-san’s hand, finished our shopping, and returned home.
"““Delicious!!””"
Once again, we savored my husband’s home-cooked meal. Good food is essential for a good drink, isn't it? Ah, it’s so delicious I’m worried I’ll gain weight.
Shiitake sautéed in butter and soy sauce is truly divine. Everyone should try it at least once. It pairs perfectly with alcohol, and it’s highly recommended for women who want a healthy "steak."