第１６２１堀：単純であるが奥が深い料理の基礎 (Part1)
Chapter 1621: The Simple Yet Profound Foundations of Cooking
Side: Kirue
The afternoon has passed, and it is now time to begin preparations for dinner.
This is, quite unexpectedly, a major undertaking that consumes a great deal of time. I have suggested to Master time and again that he should hire a professional, but...
"It’s not just about the food, it’s about balancing the flavors and the specific dishes from Earth. Besides, we’ve been managing just fine with our current rotation."
He is not particularly enthusiastic about the idea.
It is true that only Master and the likes of Taiki-sama truly understand the cuisine of Earth. More importantly, I understand that he avoids hiring new staff due to counter-intelligence concerns. And, as he says, we have been managing to make it work so far.
"Sigh. Having a master who is too capable can be quite the dilemma."
While it is true that cooking for oneself can be a form of stress relief and a way to achieve one’s preferred flavor, it also eats away at the time of not only Master but the Mistresses as well.
If they were ordinary citizens, this would be fine, but Master and his wives are the high-ranking officials of Weed. Their workload is far from ordinary.
To recover from the exhaustion of their duties, the trivial matters of the household—the chores—are meant to be handled by maids like myself and Sasari.
Even though he knows this, he still insists on doing things for himself to a certain extent. I suppose it is simply his nature.
"Still, I really think he could cut a few corners when it comes to cooking..."
All I can do is the basics: cooking the rice and preparing the soup.
It is merely a matter of using the rice cooker and tending to the pots. Even so, doing just that takes time when I am on my own.
As I am lost in these thoughts, I spot a shadow entering the kitchen.
"Oh? Did someone return from the inn to have their meal here?"
Today—or rather, during the day—the general rule is to eat out to maintain work efficiency and foster social connections. It is rare for anyone to return at this hour.
Curious, I follow the shadow, and there I find...
"Ria-sama? And Canaria-sama? Is something the matter?"
Indeed, there they are, lining up bags on the kitchen table. It is only natural that the question of *why* would spring to mind.
The two of them notice me, turn around, and...
"Ah, Kirue. Well, we were thinking of practicing our cooking."
"Yes. I enjoy eating, so the conversation turned to whether or not I could learn to make it myself."
"Cooking, you say?"
"That’s right."
"Yes. I want to see if I can recreate the food we eat. I think it would be a blessing to be able to prepare meals myself, should the need ever arise."
I see. It seems for Ria-sama, this is part of the hints Master gave her regarding her job search, while for Canaria-sama, it is less about a career and more about challenging herself with something new.
Well, aspiring to be a professional chef overnight would be far too eccentric.
As for me, I could simply grant them permission and leave it at that, but there is no flair in such a simple response. Considering the time Master and the Mistresses spend in the kitchen, perhaps I can find a reason to have them prepare a large quantity of food.
It may only be for today, but having the cooking time for this evening taken care of is certainly not a bad thing.
"Understood. Please, feel free to use these facilities. Now, what exactly are you planning to make?"
When I ask what kind of dishes they intend to prepare, they list off several common meals. It is a level that one could call safe for beginners.
Moreover, it is food that can be perfectly acceptable to serve to Master and the others. After all, they have even eaten the charred egg rolls made by the children, such as Sakura-sama. Unless it is truly disastrous, they will eat it.
"Then, let us make plenty, as a form of practice. I shall lend a hand, however limited my skills may be."
"Yes, that’s the plan, and I’m grateful for the help, but... Kirue, is it alright for you to be away from your work?"
Ria-sama is pleased by my offer, yet she worries about my duties.
"It is no problem at all. From the afternoon until evening, my only tasks are collecting the laundry and preparing the rice, so I would be happy to assist you here."
"That’s perfect, then. It works out well. Is that alright with you, Canaria?"
"Yes. I would be honored to help."
With that, we begin our preparations immediately.
"Then, let us start with the basics. Let’s cook the rice."
"Ah, right. We should start there, shouldn't we?"
"Rice? You mean those white grains?"
"Exactly. It is not as difficult as baking bread. There is no need to knead dough or wait for it to ferment."
"Is that so?"
Hmm, it seems starting from the absolute foundation was the right choice.
For Canaria-sama, who was a princess, teaching her what cooking entails is on the level of teaching a child their letters.
Well, I suppose she doesn't think monster meat just wanders around in that state, but I do recall the time the children saw a pack of meat and asked, "Does this walk around outside?" I hadn't known how to answer that.
Not knowing is a possibility at that level.
And that was the same for us.
Master explained everything to us, who knew nothing, with the utmost care and patience.
So, I shall do the same for them.
Though, that does not mean I will tell them to light a fire in a kiln.
"We will use this rice cooker, a measuring cup, and this bag of rice."
Yes, we use the fruits of civilization.
Among those living in Weed, no one lights a fire from firewood when they cook. It is standard practice to use appliances powered by electricity or magic.
"Ah, I have seen that before. But I feel the ones at the hotel were much larger."
Canaria-sama replies upon seeing the rice cooker.
Ah, that is right; Canaria-sama was staying at the hotel. It is only natural that she would see the large-scale rice cookers in the buffet area.
"That’s because they serve a large number of people. Though, I suppose our family is quite large, too."
"It is still not comparable to the number of guests using the hotel. Besides, at the hotel, people generally go to fetch their own food, but in our home, we place a rice cooker for every group of four. That way, no one has to stand up from their seat."
"I see. That way, there is no need to walk so far to get it."