Chapter 64 Crispy Eggplant Roll, Shrimp and Asparagus Salad.…

Chapter 64: Crispy Eggplant Rolls and Shrimp Asparagus Salad...

"Next up are the crispy eggplant rolls."

With two dishes already prepared, Yu Xin was no longer in a rush. He unhurriedly began preparations for the next dish, taking out two eggplants.

The eggplants used for this dish were the long, purple-skinned variety—each one plump and firm, with shiny dark purple skin and thick, tender flesh. Using a peeler, he sliced them lengthwise into thin strips about two millimeters thick, ready to be rolled into meat rolls later.

The meat filling came from the black pork used earlier for the ribs. He took a portion that was 70% lean, 30% fat, finely chopped it into mince, and seasoned it with salt, green onions, light soy sauce, pepper, and minced ginger. After mixing it into a paste, the meat took on a beautiful pink color, dotted with white fat and flecks of vibrant green green onions. Using a small spoon, he spread a thin layer of the meat mixture onto the sliced eggplant strips, then rolled them up tightly. Yu Xin worked quickly, rolling up each piece in just a few seconds, and soon had a full plate of eggplant rolls.

The rolled eggplant rolls were coated in a pre-mixed batter, and once the oil reached 70% hot (medium-high heat), they were carefully placed into the pot to fry one by one. Under the high temperature, the outer shell of the rolls quickly turned golden and crispy. After frying for three to four minutes, they were ready to be removed from the oil.

By now, the entire space was filled with the aroma of fried food. The freshly fried eggplant rolls glistened with oil, and the residual hot oil still sizzled as they were set aside to drain and cool.

Leaving the simple, repetitive task of frying the rolls to the household robot, Yu Xin picked up one that had cooled slightly and held it up to the camera.

"Let me taste one for everyone first."

Under the high-definition camera, the eggplant roll appeared golden and glossy. The special batter Yu Xin used not only held the roll together but also significantly increased its crispiness. Yu Xin gently squeezed it for the camera, and the outer crust shattered with a clear, crisp sound—audible proof of its perfect texture.

That crisp sound was perfectly captured by the microphone and delivered to every audience member watching the live stream. At that moment, no words were needed—everyone involuntarily gulped, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

"Cheng Zikun isn't here, so there's no one to taste-test for me," Yu Xin sighed. Describing flavors was never his strong suit, and he'd never missed Cheng Zikun more.

[Hahahahaha, without his taste-tester, the host finally has to describe the taste himself. Love to see it!]

[Missing a taste-tester, right?? I'll do it!!! I'd do it for free!!!]

[I'm different!! I'd even pay for the chance!!! I'm a graduate student in literature at Imperial University—I guarantee I can describe the taste beautifully. Host, look at me!!]

[No internal competition! I propose a rotation system—each loyal fan gets one chance to taste-test for the host. No more than that, so everyone gets a turn.]

[What kind of dream are you all living? I'm not dead yet, and you're already trying to take my spot?]

Just then, a bold, flashy, colorful super-chat appeared at the top of the screen—a privilege reserved for big spenders in the stream, with effects varying based on donation amount.

The familiar, cheeky tone could belong to no one else—it was Cheng Zikun, who had been lurking in the stream for a while.

Cheng Zikun was also frustrated. If it weren't for Yu Xin's strange older client, he should have been by Yu Xin's side, tasting every dish the moment it was ready. Instead, he was stuck drooling in front of a screen!

[Hahahaha, Cheng is here! If he didn't show up soon, his spot would've been stolen!]

[Cheng, your position is in danger—return quickly!]

[Cheng: "As long as I live, you all shall remain concubines."]

Yu Xin naturally saw the super-chat and knew Cheng Zikun was watching his stream. But since Cheng wasn't physically there, he wasn't here to help—he still had to describe the taste himself.

He placed the crushed eggplant roll into his mouth. It was still slightly warm, and the rich aroma of fried food instantly filled his mouth.

The outer shell was so crunchy it crumbled at the slightest touch, while the inside was tender and juicy. Eggplant itself doesn't have much flavor, but the rich fat from the meat filling had thoroughly infused into it. The batter locked in the juices, and with one bite, the meat juices quickly burst through the shell into his mouth. The texture and flavor were exceptional.

"Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, very juicy. Delicious," Yu Xin said.

[Can you say more? That's it? Just ten words—I feel like I heard nothing.]

[Host: I tried my best, don't push me.]

[Lol, we really shouldn't have expected more from the host (doge).]

[Is the restaurant downstairs watching? I want to see this dish on your menu tomorrow.]

[This dish kinda reminds me of eggplant boxes I've had. Host, next time you should make eggplant boxes for us to eat—I mean, to see.]

"Fried food is delicious, but it can get a bit greasy if you eat too much," Yu Xin said after eating two rolls, wiping his hands with kitchen paper. "You can pair it with a dipping sauce."

He quickly whipped up a sauce with mustard and yuzu vinegar, then tried another roll with the dip. It was indeed refreshing and cut through the richness.

Meanwhile, the household robot had finished frying the entire plate of rolls Yu Xin had prepared. Fried food is best enjoyed fresh out of the oil, so Yu Xin ate a few while they were hot, exhaling contentedly. "Eating fried food feels like a guilty pleasure, but the happiness it brings is unmatched."

[You know it's sinful! Wuwuwu I shouldn't have tuned in during my weight loss period.]

[Same!! I hate that I can't control myself.]

"Are there any friends watching my live stream who are on a workout routine or weight loss journey?" Yu Xin blinked in confusion at the super-chat. "Do people really enjoy torturing themselves like this?"

[Yes!! It's just something to do to make ourselves suffer (smile).]

"Well, perfect. The next dish is just for those on a workout routine or weight loss plan. Gym-goers, get your notes ready." Yu Xin placed the large plate of freshly fried crispy eggplant rolls into the warming box to preserve their perfect texture.

[Yay, got my notebook ready. Host, please start!]

Shrimp asparagus salad—after so many rich, heavily sauced meat dishes, a light salad was just the thing to balance it out.

Large, fresh black tiger shrimp were butterflied and deveined. They were sautéed in olive oil with minced garlic, then seasoned with sea salt and black pepper until they turned red and curled slightly, with a light char. The shrimp were set aside, and the remaining oil was used to sauté asparagus and cherry tomatoes.

The highlight of this salad was the dressing. A soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk was placed in a blender, along with minced garlic, chopped parsley, olive oil, a spoonful of yellow mustard, and finely diced pickled cucumbers. Sea salt and black pepper were added for seasoning, and everything was blended into a paste—not too smooth, with some texture for better flavor.

Yu Xin tossed the shrimp, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and dressing together, adding a can of sweet corn and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra freshness.

The finished salad was served in a transparent glass bowl, vibrant and colorful—already a feast for the eyes. The shrimp were firm and sweet, the asparagus crisp and fragrant, and the other ingredients each contributed their own deliciousness. Together, they created a refreshing and tasty dish.

Most importantly, compared to the other dishes, this one was much more low-calorie for fitness enthusiasts. You could eat a whole bowl without much guilt.

[...If all healthy meals were this good, I'd be willing to diet every day.]

[Hahahahaha, with skills like this, my wallet couldn't handle it. Shrimp this big? This broke college student definitely can't afford it. I'll just enjoy the view.]

[But honestly, store-bought healthy meals these days are expensive and taste bad. A few leaves and some chicken breast cost more than actual meat dishes. Compared to that, I'd rather make the host's version myself...]

[Looking forward to more fitness recipes from the host!!!! My workout routine depends on you!!]

The last dish, a soup, was much simpler. The leftover shrimp and meat filling were mixed together and shaped into meatballs, then simmered with diced winter melon. In addition to the main ingredients, dried scallops, shiitake mushrooms, and lotus seeds were added. With these, no complex seasoning was needed—the resulting soup was incredibly flavorful.

With three dishes and one soup done, the first round of baking for the pork ribs was nearly complete. Yu Xin took the foil-wrapped ribs out of the oven, removed the foil, and brushed them with the barbecue sauce he’d prepared earlier. Without the foil, they went back into the oven for another five or six minutes to allow the surface to caramelize and brown properly.

The oven light turned on again, and this time, without the foil blocking the view, the ribs were clearly visible inside.

The high heat and the glaze on the ribs created a wonderful chemical reaction, turning them a beautiful shade between red and caramel. Those five minutes felt endlessly long, but finally, with the anticipation of over a hundred thousand viewers, the oven dinged—the ribs were done.

Yu Xin put on thick oven mitts and took the sizzling, oily ribs out of the oven. The incredible aroma of roasted meat spread rapidly throughout the kitchen, mingled with a hint of sweet and sour fruitiness that made mouths water. It was tempting to just grab the ribs with bare hands and devour them in the most primal way.

Though the audience couldn't smell it, anyone with decent eyesight could imagine how delicious and enticing those roasted pork ribs looked.

Nothing beats roasted meat. At this moment, the audience forgot all the other dishes—their eyes were glued to the steaming, fragrant ribs.

[Shove it in my mouth, shove it in my mouth, don't make me beg on my knees!!]

[I knew better, I knew better. If I'd resisted opening this stream, I wouldn't be suffering like this...]

[I don't envy lovers or immortals—I envy people who get to eat Yu Xin's cooking every day.]

[Who stole my life? Was it you? Give it back to me... Who stole my life? Was it you? Give it back to me... Who stole my life? Was it you? Give it back to me...]

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A/N:

Thank you all for your support! I'll keep working hard!