I'm the Culinary God

"Oh, it's so beautifully done! It looks just like a flower."

"Who would have thought Winter Melon could be prepared like this?"

"Shuzhen, when your son-in-law gets here, you must ask him for the recipe. The presentation alone makes it worth trying; I can hardly bear to eat it."

"Are you done taking pictures? Let's start eating before it gets cold."

In the private room, Han Shuzhen's girlfriends couldn't stop praising the Stuffed Chicken Breast with Winter Melon that had just been served. They had never imagined that the unremarkable Winter Melon from the market could look this beautiful, and the method must have been quite simple, because it hadn't taken long from the time Lin Xu left to when the dish was served.

Finally, after everyone had finished taking photos, Han Shuzhen picked up a Winter Melon roll, placed it in her bowl, and took a bite. The Winter Melon was tender, its fragrant taste mingled with the umami of dried shrimp and the rich flavor of Steamed Fish Sauce. This combination of savory notes created a sensation akin to eating seafood. A subtle, fresh spiciness in the aftertaste playfully stimulated the appetite, causing one's hunger to unconsciously grow.

After tasting the Winter Melon, she then tasted the meat stuffing inside. The Chicken Breast, typically a bit dry, became remarkably succulent after absorbing the sauce's umami and the Winter Melon's fragrance.

So delicious!

Beyond its exquisite taste, the most important thing was the lack of guilt associated with eating it. It was made with virtually calorie-free Winter Melon and low-fat Chicken Breast. Far from causing weight gain, eating a lot might even lead to weight loss.

"There's not even a trace of oil, yet it tastes so good. This culinary skill is truly unmatched!"

"Exactly! I knew it wouldn't be bad, but I never expected Winter Melon to taste this good."

"This is culinary alchemy, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary!"

"I absolutely have to learn how to make this later; it's simply fantastic!"

Listening to everyone's praises, Han Shuzhen's smile never left her face. When she had asked Lin Xu to cook, she'd done so on a whim, thinking it wouldn't matter if it didn't turn out well. She hadn't anticipated such a huge surprise from her son-in-law. It had a beautiful presentation, tasted delicious, and was also low-fat and healthy.

This was exactly the ideal kind of delicacy!

In the past, when others praised her children for their filial piety, she could only offer a polite smile. Now, she could finally hold her head high. This sense of pride made Director Han even happier than the prospect of eating low-fat, healthy, delicious food.

「Meanwhile, in another private room.」

Chen Baiwan and the others, who had just claimed to be nearly full, were visibly shocked when the beautifully prepared Stuffed Chicken Breast with Winter Melon was suddenly brought in. Their expressions clearly read, "It can be made this beautifully?"

Wu Kexin immediately took out her phone to snap a photo. She planned to ask Lin Xu for the recipe to replicate it in her next live stream, hoping to finally shed her title as the "queen of disastrous broadcasts."

"This is a low-fat, low-calorie delicacy our boss specially prepared for everyone, using Winter Melon and Chicken Breast. You can all eat it without worry. It won't make you put on weight."

The head waiter of the third-floor private room was quite eloquent, highlighting the dish's key features because he knew what everyone wanted to hear. Low-fat? Low-calorie? Won't cause weight gain? These words struck everyone's hearts like a sledgehammer.

Shen Baobao stood up with a flourish, was the first to pick up a piece with her chopsticks, and placed it in her bowl, saying, "You all keep taking pictures. I'll taste it first to check the seasoning."

With her taking the lead, the others eagerly joined in. After one bite, everyone couldn't help but marvel at the flavor and texture of the Stuffed Chicken Breast with Winter Melon. It had to be said, the finely diced chili in the sauce was a perfect touch, not only garnishing the dish beautifully but also adding an appetizing hint of spice to the succulent Winter Melon.

"Next time we record the show, I absolutely have to get Boss Lin to feature this dish."

Ever since sitting down to eat, Zeng Xiaoqi had found almost every dish so irresistible that she wanted Lin Xu to demonstrate it on the program. From the classic cold appetizer, Ginger Lotus Root, to the pressed pig's head and Crystal Pork Hock, and even several classic poached dishes, she was sorely tempted by each one. There was no helping it; Lin Xu's culinary skills were simply amazing. Even without crayfish, she couldn't stop eating. Now, having tasted the Stuffed Chicken Breast with Winter Melon, the next episode's menu gained another item.

The beautiful host even considered learning to make it herself. If she learned how, she could make one every day. Rewarding herself for a day's hard work with such an attractive, tasty, low-fat, and low-calorie dish would be much better than ordering takeout, wouldn't it?

「In the kitchen.」

Just as Lin Xu returned, Che Zai, who handled procurement, said, "Boss, the fattened lambs for the roast will be delivered around 9:00 p.m. That won't delay the marination, will it?"

"It won't," Lin Xu replied.

All three whole roasted lambs were for the following evening. Marinating the lamb for twelve hours was sufficient, so there was plenty of time; no need to worry about it not being thoroughly marinated.

Che Zai added, "Boss Huang messaged. He said a batch of free-range chickens from the mountains will be delivered to Beijing tomorrow afternoon and asked if we want any."

Free-range mountain chickens?

Lin Xu recalled the Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms recipe he had drawn two days prior and asked curiously, "Did you buy the Hazel Mushrooms and Potato Flour noodles?"

"Yes, yes, bought them! Top-grade Hazel Mushrooms, the kind without stems. Boss Huang said if they're not delicious, we can take his head and kick it like a ball."

Lin Xu was momentarily speechless. How could anyone kick something so gory? Old Huang must know I wouldn't actually do that, which is why he dared to say it, right? If it were his fun-loving senior brother or Head Chef Dai, they'd probably torment him mercilessly.

"Since we have Hazel Mushrooms and Potato Flour noodles, let's order some chickens. Tomorrow evening, we'll make Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms to eat. Make sure to get enough; we can't run short."