T3 eastern

Marcus Astraea flipped through the pages of his every trusty cooking book. He was looking for the next steps in his path to master the Eastern way of cooking. With the first year coming to a close soon, he knew he was going to have a good amount of time on his hands to practice. Especially if he was going to be visiting Shokoku during this summer like he had informed Huang. The Hyojun Prince had told him he could visit his country- though Marcus didn't know he needed permission first. He just figured he could go there. Still, it wasn't completely set in stone. [1]

Pausing for a moment, Marcus closed his eyes and inhaled before exhaling softly. But, that didn't matter for now. What mattered was that he focused on what he was doing and that was learning and practicing more Eastern type recipes. As an Astraea, nothing but perfection was allowed to him and if he couldn't master this oriental type of cooking and perfect it, how could he call himself perfect in his chosen craft? [2]

He genuinely loved to cook, but it often got marred by his 'reputation' as a great chef. His attempts to spread some semblance of joy and relieve the King and his Guard from their day to day struggles through some good food was far more effective than he had thought. Still, for all his supposed fame, not many seemed to seek him out. Though, he supposed that he had already said his piece to the three major Barons on campus. [3]

Well, that was fine with him honestly. Sure, he felt a sting of loneliness but he kicked it to the curb just like with some other discomforting emotions that welled up inside him from time to time. He preferred being on his home. He wasn't a social person to begin with and just crushing himself attempting to become one would be a waste of time and effort. All that mattered was his education, his continued training and his determination to achieve his dream. [4]

And speaking of determination. He was determined to achieve a higher level of culinary expertise in particular with Shokoku' recipes. He was mostly focusing on those originating from Teikoku...but he guessed since they were one giant country to begin with, not a whole lot has changed in some regards. He figured he could go for learning how to make some of those dim-sums that professor Hyojun talked about. And to start himself off, he found a simple enough recipe; pork dim-sum. [5]

He wasn't sure if this was the most common kind or not but it wouldn't be too hard to make a few dumplings, right? He made his own wonton wraps and gathered the rest of the needed ingredients before he could get started in full. Pork was a no-brainer considering the name of the recipe but he didn't have a lot of chances to work with bamboo shoots. Which is considering the fact he mainly specialized in Arcadian types of recipes so far was also obvious. [6]

He'd place the the ground pork, scallions, bamboo shoots, soy sauce, sherry, sesame oil, sugar and beaten egg white in a large mixing bowl and mix until all ingredients were thoroughly combined. For any kind of filling, mixing in the needed ingredients was common and next he'd add and stir in the cornstarch, mixing until it was thoroughly incorporated with the other ingredients in the bowl. The mix was looking kind of weird to Marcus but his gut told him that he was doing a good job so far, he just had to keep it up. [7]

He'd then next, spread out the wonton skins on work counter, placing a spoonful of pork mixture in center of each wonton skin and lightly brush the edges with water. Next, he'd bring the sides of the skins together into the center of the filling, pinching firmly together until it looked like a small purse. Well, it definitely looked weird to him but everything new was strange at first glance to other people. He was sure that if he showed a chocolate fondant to a foreigner for the first time they'd look at it weirdly as well. Even though he disliked making sweats, he wouldn't dare claim they weren't attractive to most people. [8]

Next, he needed to line a steamer with a clean, damp tea towel and arrange the wontons inside. The next step involved steaming the wontons until the dim-sum were cooked thoroughly. He'd cover the steamer and then steam for ten or so minutes- that was the designated time in the book and he'd follow the recipe since it was his first time cooking this kind of food...though, he'd follow it regardless. Marcus was far too grounded in his belief in the basics to really go out and experiment unless he was fully confident in its success.[9]

With the dim-sums prepared, he'd do what he always did and serve the food to himself. Unless he knew he could serve something good to his customers, Marcus dared not try otherwise. And as per usual the taste was...strange, foreign to him. But that was the point, he supposed. He needed to find someone from Shokoku- or Teikoku he supposed to taste test for him. It was good enough for him but at the same time, he couldn't be a clear judge on it. He knew he needed more work but he needed an expert on this. Perhaps professor Hyojun? He could try his hand with her seeing as how she was the one to really inform him about the existence of some of these recipes. [10]

Marcus Astraea had, after a small break, decided it was time to return to reading this Eastern recipe book. Previously, he made some a pork dim-sum and all in all, it wasn't bad. But neither was it good- nothing ever really is to Marcus. Continued practice, whether it was in the culinary arts or his usage of the sword and shield was something that he drilled into himself religiously. He was an Astraea and as such, only perfection was acceptable to the young blond man. Of course, many might think he was overworking himself all the time but if he couldn't be satisfied with himself, then how would others? [11]

How would he serve the King in the future? How would he rise to become Galahad if he couldn't become stronger? He needed to continue climbing up higher and higher for that was his divine right as an Astraea. But, he figured that at least for these three years he could take it slower and focus on his education. It was what he always told him said and sometimes struggled to keep to due to just how...well, in the dark he was. [12]

He was so unlike his sister who managed to showcase herself during the Exams. And while he could control it, that sense of emptiness ate at him from the inside out. Before his thoughts could go further however, Marcus cut himself off and breathed in slowly before exhaling just as slow. He needed to temper himself more. To let such emotions affect his psyche was human...but he was an Astraea and to let himself be consumed by such things would be without a doubt, disappointing. [13]

Much like how professor Itsuki had instructed him, he needed to be patient. And so, he'd direct this energy to something more productive. Like making this 'gyoza' recipe that was used in Teikoku. Apparently, it was another type of dumplings but the kind that originated in Teikoku rather than Shokoku. Frankly, other than the shape he didn't see the difference right now. If there were some kind, he would see it without a doubt once he began cooking and finished the recipe. [14]

Which, speaking of he should probably start doing so. First he'd put the spring onions, cabbage, ginger and garlic unto the cooking board and finely chop them. Then, he'd place all of those into a bowl and continue, adding the water chestnuts, the soy sauce, oyster sauce, this alcoholic drink they call sake, some sesame oil and a pinch of salt and begin to finely chop again. He needed to chop them as well as he could before he continued unto the next step. [15]

Which would be to tip the ingredients into another bowl and add the minced chicken, mixing by hand until they were all well combined. Then, he needed to let that mixture cool until it was ready to serve. For now, he'd prepare a pot of water, sprinkling cornflour unto a plate. To assemble a gyoza, he needed to hold the dumpling skin in the palm of one of his hands and put a heaped teaspoon of the filling onto the center of the skin. [16]

First, he'd dip his finger into the water and wipe around the edges of the skin. This would moisten them and help the edges stick together when he began to truly assemble it. Pinching the edges of the skin together, he'd pleat along one side then press each pleat against the opposite flat side of the skin. With each pinch he needed to make sure he was sealing the parcel and keeping the filling in the center. He'd put each completed gyoza onto the plate dusted with cornflour. [17]

To start cooking, he'd make sure to cook the gyoza in batches. First, he'd heat a frying pan with one tablespoon of vegetable oil and brush off any excess cornflour from the bases of the dumplings. Then, he'd begin frying the gyoza on one side only. He didn't know why but the book instructed him to make only one side crispy. After about two or so minutes when they should be golden brown, he'd take a glance at the recipe just to make sure and then continued onward. [18]

Adding a good splash of water to the pan and then covering with a steaming lid or a large sheet of foil with a few holes poked in the top, he'd cook over a medium heat for five minutes. He needed to wait until the water has evaporated and the gyoza filling was cooked through. He'd set aside the cooked ones and then grab the next batch. This was probably going to be a bit too much for him but he could always feed the excess amount to Jaegar or something. Not that the Kotsu was a garbage can but he did like his food. [19]

To finish it off, he'd mix all the dipping sauce ingredients as was written in the book and serve it alongside the gyoza. Well, everything looked edible to him at least and quick bite told him it was tasty, Marcus was not someone that was satisfied with such a level. He needed to be better- much better than what he currently was. It could be easier of him to just ask Mochi Shikki to assist him in this endeavor but...Marcus preferred to do it himself. It was always like this and he wasn't looking to change it any time soon. Joichiro assisted him during the classes but it was ultimately Marcus' zeal in wanting to master the Arcadian way of the kitchen that led him to his current level. [20]

Marcus Astraea hummed gently to himself as he woke up at the crack of dawn as per usual for him. As per usual, Marcus ate a generous breakfast or at least what could be considered generous with his diet. Breakfast was the most important meal of the day, afterall, follow only by lunch. Dinner was always a light affair for him, no matter which day it was in his diet. Regardless, seeing both school cafe' being full of people, Marcus opted to instead take his practice to the dorm. [21]

He still needed to get better. Much more better with these Eastern techniques if he was going to make something out of himself. He's gotten better at using the knife as well, strangely enough. Not that he was bad at using it before but several Teikoku and some Shokoku recipes required more precise knife work than he thought. Honestly? He liked that aspect of it, because holding a blade in his hands just felt natural as an Astraea, even if it wasn't a sword. Perhaps he could look into learning how to use some short swords just in case he needed a back up? [22]

Regardless, Marcus went to stock up at the local market, buying ingredients almost in bulk before returning to his dorm room. He needed to pick out a few recipes that he could practice with. Sure, he could always make more gyoza or those dim-sums...but he figured that he could at the very least attempt to branch out a bit. Perhaps he could make one of those soups of theirs? Or whatever this Ramen was. Or something along those lines. It was a kind of pasta for them, right? [23]

He could make do with that, actually. First however, he needed to learn how to make the actual noodles. It wouldn't do for him to utilize store bought noodles. Not only would it be an insult to cooking in general if he were to take shortcuts, but to take shortcuts through the usage of such a thing? Even worse. If he couldn't do it the old fashioned way then what was his use? If he couldn't even make some noodles, how could he make this ramen of theirs? [24[

So, to begin, he gathered the needed ingredients. This current recipe was far more modern than what they used to do in the past but that was better than buying packages. To start making the noodles, he'd add in the baking soda to the water and stir to dissolve completely, about one minute. Then, he'd add in salt and do so again for another minute or two. It was the same as making dough...though, not pasta dough, huh? [25]

He'd continue by combining the vital wheat gluten and bread flour in to a bowl and then start mixing. He could have used one of those fancy machines for this but the day that Marcus surrendered his wrist to a machine would be a dark day, indeed. So, he'd continue, increasing his speed from time to time while adding in water, pausing for a moment to let the water be fully absorbed until he continued. Once he was finished, he'd cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let it rest for around thirty minutes as was written in the book. The reason for this pause was so that the water could fully be absorbed. [26]

Once it has, he'd press the dough into a ball and divide it into two roughly equal portions. He'd place both of them into a bowl and cover it with a plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. After a bit more of time, he'd take one of the portions and Press dough into a ball and divide into two roughly equal portions. Place both in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to prevent them drying out. Hmm. Yeah, this was like he was working with pasta the first time around just without any eggs. That was weird to Marcus but he knew that the ways of the East were weird to begin with. At the very least, to him. [27]

Regardless, he'd continue his work, taking one portion and then flatten it into a thin sheet. From what the book showed him, it involved a lot of folding for some reason. What was with the east and folding things? Hell, apparently the best kinds of swords from Teikoku were 'folded' many a times. Just how that worked, he didn't know. He wasn't a smith so he wouldn't even begin to try and understand that. But, apparently it worked well enough so he'd just give them that. The book talked about using another machine to actually make the noodles but. [28]

As long as Marcus was able to wield a knife, he'd do so himself. Honestly, it was probably more accurate anyways. Just like how he was cutting pasta, he'd make thin lines along the flattened sheet of dough and create the noodles that he was looking for. Sure enough in a few moments he had a bowl full of them. He wanted to use them right now but from what he read in the book, placing them in a refrigerator overnight would improve their texture and flavor. He could always use them tomorrow, afterall. [29]

Until then, he may as well start from scratch and do it again. The road to true master was continuous practice and further refinement of their skills and if Marcus would want to claim to be perfect in the future then he needed to be even better than this. That meant that he'd need to devote just as much time to this as he did when he threw himself into learning how to cook the Arcadian way. Others may argue his time was better spent learning some sport or something but- Marcus would keep doing what he enjoyed, regardless of what others said. [30]