Putting Aside Nationalistic Bias, It’s Really Delicious

25 – Bone Broth with Stone Pot Rice Cake (3)

“It’s finally done.”

There had been a minor accident, but the last, third attempt at bone broth was finally complete.

I removed the cold, hardened layer of fat and was left with a white, creamy broth.

Now, all I had to do was heat it up before cooking, and it would be a dish fit for the table.

Of course, it would need to be served alongside stone pot rice cake, kimchi, chive salad, and salt with pepper.

People often say that the second or third time making bone broth is the most delicious.

The first attempt tends to be too fatty, making it difficult to eat, even after removing the fat.

The second attempt is usually considered the best because the deep flavor of the bone is finally brought out.

However, I personally preferred the third version.

When eating the fully-melted bone chunks with rice, I could best experience the deep flavor of the bone.

“Is it finally over?”

The knights on duty with me looked at me with heavily dark-circled eyes.

Thanks to them, I was able to get some sleep.

“You may return now. I’ll tell Lancelot to let you rest for at least four extra hours.”

“That’s good to hear. If we hadn’t gotten any rest at all, some of us would have surely deserted.”

Heimer staggered as he stood up.

The other two knights also groggily stood.

Hemilton, whose dark circles were especially deep, stood up as well.

He had stayed up all night to help me make the bone broth and apologized for it.

“I’ll make sure to prepare some for you after I serve the lord. Hemilton, you’ve had enough, so you can eat it next time.”

At my words, the weary knights smiled.

All except for one.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Thank you, Sir Lucas.”

“I won’t do it again.”

With his head hanging low, Hamilton turned away awkwardly.

He did suffer, but it was his own doing.

Who knows what might happen if I let him off with these things one by one?

It’s crucial to be stern when it’s necessary to avoid any mishaps.

I can prepare the oxtail soup and chive salad after lunch during break time.

I began my preparations for today’s business while looking at the sun rising in the east.

The not-so-sweet holiday (which wasn’t even a real holiday) was over.

“Now it’s time to work again.”

Tonight, I need to prepare a special oxtail set meal.

***

“Sir Lucas, I enjoyed the meat you sent me yesterday. It was truly delicious.”

As soon as he saw me, Lord Briton, with a smile on his lips, sat at the table where I had set the dishes in advance.

Beside him was Lady Briton.

Across from them sat Henry, and the lord’s family filled a table jovially.

“Did you have any trouble finding this place?”

“Ha ha, it’s right next to the lord’s castle, so it’s not difficult. Besides, one should enjoy the best taste at a restaurant with a skilled chef, right?”

Behind Lord Briton, who laughed quietly, was Lancelot.

“Um, I heard from the children that there’s a dish called beef bone soup, so I brought Lord Briton with me. I’m just a bodyguard knight.”

Lancelot met my eyes and then looked away, fiddling with his sword.

Somehow, our leader seems to visit the restaurant quite often.

This is not acceptable.

He should quickly train Ivan and let him go.

He shouldn’t be coming to me.

However, this seat was not intended for Lancelot.

This place is for those who have come here for the feast.

It’s about serving the best food to our dear customers who treated us with Velka, and the landowner.

That was the purpose of tonight’s banquet.

“Then, I’ll serve you the oxtail dish.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Show me quickly.”

I took out the brazier and placed a grill with the cooked oxtail on it.

The tender oxtail and the scallion salad on top of it.

In front of the brazier, I offered a side dish plate full of well-ripened kimchi and pickled radish.

‘It’s a shame that there’s no squid jeotgal.’

Finally, I filled a small pot with the beautiful, white bone soup and placed it on the table along with a bowl of rice.

The clear soup with oxtail and bits of meat floated in front of the family.

“This is a bone soup made from boiling oxtails and meat for a long time. You can season it with salt and pepper according to your taste.”

I handed out salt, pepper, and thinly sliced green onions.

I saw a spark of interest in Lancelot’s face standing behind the nobleman.

Master, there’s none for you here.

Give it up.

“I got it.”

The nobleman’s face was filled with interest in the unfamiliar food.

“First, let me season your soup, sir.”

I lightly sprinkled salt and pepper into his bone soup.

Henry, who had been watching my actions, followed suit and sprinkled salt.

The noblewoman did the same as well.

After adjusting the seasoning, I handed a spoon to the nobleman.

“Please, have a taste.”

I quietly watched him from the side.

Jajak carefully scooped a spoonful of bone broth from the hot pot, where steam was still rising.

“Oh! This is…”

Jajak’s face lit up as he took a sip of the smooth white broth.

“Such a deep flavor from just a white broth.”

“It’s an essence infused with the flavors of beef bones, fat, and meat. It may look like just a white broth, but it’s as if the entire life of the bull is contained within.”

“Really? Ha-ha, hearing you say that makes me feel like I’m being treated to extraordinary dishes.”

He scooped up another spoonful.

By now, the warm bone broth would have been flowing down his esophagus, warming his empty stomach.

That’s the charm of bone broth.

The smoothness that embraces an empty stomach, like a mother’s warm embrace.

The rich flavor of the bone broth filled his mouth, and he seemed to taste the subtle hint of fat that seeped in between.

Without my saying anything, he scooped up a spoonful of beef-bone and ate it in one bite.

“Hehehe…”

All Jajak could do after eating the beef-bone was laugh.

“Ha-ha, this… This taste is astonishing. Really…”

“My goodness, it’s so delicious, right?”

Jajak’s wife looked at me in surprise.

“As expected, Lucas! I knew I could trust you!”

Henry even gave me a thumbs up.

“Now, let’s begin. Mix the rice with the bone broth.”

“Is it just that simple?”

“Yes. Then, you can enjoy the ultimate taste by eating it with kimchi and pickled radish. You can eat them separately as well.”

The three of them each got a spoonful of beef-bone and rice.

The white rice was mixed with the broth, and drops of broth that the spoon could not capture trickled down.

On top of the glistening white beef-bone rice, they added vibrant red pickled radish with chopsticks.

As the neatly cut bright red pickled radish was placed on top, the contrast of the colors became even more distinct.

It was a perfect combination, scooped up in one bite.

Crunch!

Slurp!

The fresh sound of biting into the well-pickled radish and the clear sound of eating the rice soup created a pleasant harmony.

“Um!”

“Wow.”

The three people widened their eyes as they looked at the pickled radish.

“The taste is much more stimulating. Hehe.”

If they had felt the warmth of being embraced in their gentle mother’s arms from the bone broth soup, they would have felt a slightly rough taste from the pickled radish.

Because the texture and taste were in complete contrast to the bone broth soup.

A slightly spicy and sour taste with a hint of saltiness.

It may have resembled a rebellious, adolescent boy.

Because they were exact opposites, the two dishes went together perfectly.

“How does it taste?”

At my question, Ja-jak did not hesitate to give a thumbs up.

“It’s the best I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you.”

I gave a slight bow to Ja-jak in response to the sincere compliment.

I knew it.

There’s no one who dislikes pickled radish with bone broth soup.

“Try this as well. It’s braised oxtail made from the tail of a bull. The part is known to be as good for stamina as the bull’s bone broth.”

Since braised oxtail is also made by slow-cooking the bone like the bone broth soup, I knew it had similar effects.

I don’t know how good cow bones are for stamina, but since the empire’s people believe it, I should give them lip service.

“Oh, interesting. Did you boil the whole tail?”

“Yes, the scallion salad on top of that is also good for men, often eaten for a smooth marital relationship. It’s said that Emperor Moritanus, one of the three emperors of the ancient empire, ate this scallion salad and had as many as ten children.”

At those words, the faces of Viscount Brinton and his wife turned red.

“Ahem, well, I understand that it’s effective, so you don’t need to say more.”

Thanks to the gentle heat from the low fire, the oxtail dish hadn’t cooled down and maintained its warm temperature.

Viscount Brinton, who took a piece of tail bone with chopsticks, looked at me.

“How do I eat this?”

“Oh, you can just hold the bone in one hand and tear off the flesh.”

“Ha, the way of eating it is a bit… it’s a method often used by knights, not using tableware.”

“That’s why it’s good for men. Doesn’t it boost their masculinity?”

“I see.”

The Viscount, convinced, held the bone in his hand and tore off the flesh.

The tenderly cooked oxtail separated softly from the bone and easily entered Viscount’s mouth.

“Whoa, it’s softer than I thought.”

“Because it was cooked thoroughly.”

The Viscount closed his eyes as he chewed the oxtail in a single bite.

His mouth slowly curved into a smile as he savored the taste.

“Such a surprising taste. Really… I can’t even speak. How should I describe this?”

The feeling of the meat, which was thought to be tough, tearing apart and melting smoothly can only be known by the person eating it.

How delicious the juices that seep out as the meat tears can be.

Without explaining it in words, it seemed like the Viscount was feeling it enough.

Viscount’s mouth was filled with meat and a satisfied smile.

“It would be delicious if you dip it in soy sauce or eat it with scallion salad. The pickled radish would be nice as well.”

“Wife, you should try it too. It’s a fantastic taste.”

“I’m fine. Please, enjoy it all.”

“…Is it because it is said to be good for men?”

The lady blushed, bowing her head slightly and nodding delicately.

She seemed like a shy person, overwhelmed by embarrassment.

“It’s also good for ladies’ skincare. Give it a try.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Only then did she cautiously grasp a piece of bone.

One hand held the bone, while the other covered her mouth as she ate, exuding the elegance of a noblewoman.

However, perhaps the changes in her expression were too evident, as her pupils widened while chewing.

“It’s delicious. It’s a taste I’ve never experienced before.”

After swallowing all the meat, she smiled gracefully and praised without reservation, reminding someone of another noble lady.

A noble lady who, despite being of the same class, devoured food with gusto.

– Bean paste stew!

– I came to eat bean paste stew again today!

– Since there’s no princess anyway, won’t you recommend a special menu for me?

– Mmm! It’s delicious!

Camilla Wegun.

Her image, coming every day when there was no princess, asking for bean paste stew, remained unforgettable.

If my cooking pleased her so much, maybe she sent Coby to headhunt me.

Henry also picked up the braised pig’s tail.

Dipping it into the chive salad with a fork, he ate it with the pig’s tail.

“Wow! It’s delicious! Lucas, it’s really delicious!”

“Henry, you should call him Sir Lucas. Sir Lucas is also a knight.”

“Mother, Sir Lucas said it’s okay! Right?”

The boy asks me with sparkling eyes.

“Madam, it’s fine. It means we’ve become close.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry.”

Taking a bite of the stone pot stew, Jajak, who had just enjoyed a tail meat dish, let out a continuous exclamation.

“This is truly a delicacy. It’s completely different from ordinary meat… The flavor of the meat is deep, and the rich taste of the marrow seeps in with every chew, making it fantastic.”

“If you suck on the leftover marrow in the bones, you can enjoy a new taste.”

“W-well, that’s a bit too aristocratic….”

“In the face of vigor, there is no room for dignity, Jajak-nim.”

Upon hearing that, he sucked on the remaining marrow in the bones.

Slurp!

The broth and marrow were sucked into Jajak’s mouth, and his expression changed.

It seemed to be some kind of signal.

The restraint Jajak had maintained, eating with at least a minimum of aristocratic dignity, had unraveled.

He ate the bone soup with a spoon, picked up kimchi with chopsticks, put the remaining marrow, still abundant, into his mouth with a slurp, and tossed aside any semblance of nobility, making his cheeks swell.

For a few days, he devoured the white bone soup like a starved person.

It was a mukbang that made one’s appetite rise just by looking at it.

“Looks good.”

Unconsciously, Jajak, who had emptied the bone soup, lifted the pot and drank the broth in one go.

“Kkuuee!”

Exhaling a deep sigh mixed with a moan, he finished off the remaining tail meat in one bite.

Crunch crunch.

Having eaten even the pickled radish, he leaned back in his chair and looked at the bone graveyard he had created with a satisfied and sluggish face.

More than half of the ox-tail dish prepared for Jajak’s family had been eaten by Jajak alone.

“It was a fierce battle between me and the food. And I emerged victorious.”

Speaking in a leisurely voice, he mumbled while looking at the empty bowl.

“Truly regrettable. This is all there is. Truly a profound taste. It’s a flavor that gathers all the essence of the marrow. Such a luxurious and extravagant dish, I might not eat in my lifetime, nor in the future.”

There seems to be some misunderstanding.

“There is still plenty of bone soup left.”

“……Is that really all?”

“Yes. You can’t expect more than this amount from that big chunk, can you?”

“Even though it was so rich in flavor?”

“Please look at the pots.”

The count stood up from his seat and looked into the kitchen.

His face brightened as he saw the white soup contained in the three large pots.

“Hahahaha! This wasn’t all of it! I’ve never been this happy before. Hahaha!”

He laughed heartily with relief knowing that there was more ox bone soup to enjoy.

Since he was so delighted, I held back on what I wanted to say next.

‘There are still some unused bones.’

I’ll freeze those and eat them myself later.

When the count and Henry were enjoying the ox bone soup and the oxtail dish, the count asked me,

“Sir Lucas, perhaps……”

“I’m sorry.”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“Isn’t it about becoming the exclusive chef of the lord’s castle?”

“……”

It’s too obvious from your expression.

You shouldn’t gamble, Count.

“Did it show?”

“Yes. I have to decline. I came this far because I want to open my own restaurant.”

“Ah, it’s indeed a pity. I wanted to eat your dishes every day…….”

“Please visit from time to time. I don’t refuse any guests who come.”

“Hehe, I can’t do that. There’s a separate chef affiliated with the lord’s castle, you know. I can’t leave the person I’ve managed to bring in without work.”

Even though he said that, the count seemed to be disappointed, smacking his lips.

“Once a month should be fine.”

He must have really liked the beef bone soup.

“Bill it all to Castle Yngling. I’ll send it through Liana. We can’t not do at least this much for the soldiers who protect our village.”

“Understood.”

The baron seemed to be quite generous.

***

Since the restaurant and the castle were close, Baron Britten, who was walking back to the castle, wrapped his waist around his wife who walked beside him.

“My dear, let’s go straight to our bedroom tonight. I can’t sleep like this.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

Henry, who was a step behind his parents, felt somewhat delighted and cringeworthy at the sight of his parents’ increased affectionate behavior.

He would have to sleep in the annex tonight.

—-

★★★★★

Let me define it in one word.

These dishes have awakened my forgotten masculinity.

A single word is enough.

Recommended menu: Beef bone soup, braised pork tail

– Baron Louis Britten –

—-

Within the thoroughfare connected to the slightly distant city of Lupertown from the Britten barony.

“Coby, how much longer until we reach the Britten Barony?”

“We’ll be there in about three days.”

“Ah, we’ve been running for about ten days now, haven’t we?”

“Yes.”

“It takes two whole weeks to get to the capital at our wagon’s top speed. Isn’t that just too far? Our wagon is even faster than others.”

“It’s still much better than going to the eastern border. There are mountain ranges there, which could take us another two months to cross.”

“But there’s a portal over there, so if we’re determined to go, it would only take a week.”

Kobie closed his mouth in response to Camilla Wagon’s reproach.

“Why aren’t there any portals connecting the cities in the south?”

Kobie couldn’t bring himself to say it.

‘Because you said there was no money to be made in the south, so we shouldn’t build any portals.’

That’s what he meant.

Camilla Wagon, the head of the Golden Wagon, vented her frustration as she drove the wagon alongside Kobie.