#738 Hide, Secret Ingredient

Well, we’ve successfully created the most basic and starter-like Indian curry.

A successful blend!

After all, it is spice-based.

But the depth of curry does not end here.

While we’ve mastered its basics, we’re only at square one.

From here, we’ll continue our research and delve into curry’s essence.

“I want it to be thicker.”

That was the first thing I thought.

Because the curry I’ve known and loved since childhood has a thick consistency.

There’s power in early childhood experiences.

No one can escape from that, so I’m going to recreate that thick Occidental curry I’ve had all my life.

“Well, I guess I just have to add wheat flour.”

And so, I add dissolved flour into the curry.

As I stirred, it naturally thickened.

It’s gradually becoming the curry I know.

“Looking good!”

All right, since we’ve come this far, I take a spoonful to taste.

“...It’s bland.”

If you think about it, adding water and flour, which have no flavor, will inevitably dilute the dish.

This won’t become a true home-style curry.

I need to make it thicker and more flavorful.

What should I do next, then?

“Should I add more spices?”

Adding more seasonings will certainly make it more flavorful.

But spices are more for aroma than flavoring.

I have a hunch that I need something else.

What would be good?

I’ve seen on TV that they add plenty of things to curry besides spices or seasonings, like a secret ingredient.

“Apples and honey!” is a phrase I’ve heard enough on TV commercials to commit to memory.

“Applesss! Honeyyy!”

Junior jumped up when he heard my mutterings.

He’s at the age where he likes sweets.

If Junior’s going to eat it, a sweet curry would be ideal. This is worth considering.

Honey would probably be sterilized if added to the curry.

I add various other things in addition to sweets to adjust the taste.

A secret ingredient, huh?

I’ve seen on TV shows where they put it in curry, emphasizing the surprise factor.

I can imagine people who cook saying gleefully, even before being asked, that they put in such a hidden flavor.

Anyway, the secret ingredient. The hidden flavor.

What should it be...?

I’ve always been microwaving ready-made meals, so I have no practical knowledge of the subject.

I only have knowledge I’ve gained from TV or manga...

Aside from the typical apples and honey that I’ve heard of...

“...Coffee?”

I feel like I’ve heard it mentioned quite often.

“Instant coffee can be a secret ingredient in curry!” or something along those lines.

Coffee has become popular in this other world since last year, but we don’t have an instant version.

What a shame. It’s a no-go.

What else... yogurt?

I feel like they used that, too.

If it’s yogurt, it’s likely included in the dairy products made by the satyrs, so it should be easy to prepare.

I’ll talk to them about it later.

In a more surprising case...

Miso.

It’s good when you want a Japanese twist.

Fermented foods, in general, are handled solely by Discus, Puffer’s disciple, who took over from Platy.

Now, many fermented foods are produced under controlled conditions in the farm’s fermentation cellar. Miso is one of them, so I just need to ask for some.

And then... Why do I feel like I’m forgetting something...?!

Right, that... Something...!

Ah, I know. Beer.

Apparently, simmering in beer makes the meat tender. I seem to recall adding beer to curry makes it more flavorful.

Speaking of beer, alcohol!

And speaking of alcohol, this farm has a demigod who is an expert in it.

Since he’s settled down on the farm, he’s been producing various types of brew, from wine to beer to sake, so there should be no problem getting some beer.

He might say, “It’s disrespectful to use alcohol for anything other than drinking!” but that doesn’t faze me.

It’s guaranteed to make the curry delicious!!!

What else...?

Chocolate.

I could consult King Kaka, the cacao spirit, in the dungeon orchard.

Mayonnaise.

That forbidden condiment is also in our stock.

Looking back, we’ve really accumulated a lot of things.

From a farm that started with nothing, we expanded and increased our crops, and with the addition of various new faces doing what they excel at, we have grown even more.

This allowed us to create even the most complicated dishes that require a multitude of ingredients.

We still don’t have instant coffee, though.

Making curry made me reminisce about all the experiences I’ve had up until now.

I’ll combine everything I’ve learned so far and perfect this otherworldly farm curry!

“Heh-heh-he... If that’s the case, there’s something you can't overlook, Master...”

“Wh-Who’s there?!”

Before I knew it, Veil had appeared in the kitchen.

...Well, she always appears on her own when I start cooking a new dish. She’s just early this time.

“A secret ingredient, huh! I know what you’re looking for, Master! Don’t we have just the right thing?!”

“Don’t tell me...”

“Yes, it’s my dragon broth!”

Stop it!

It’s one of the most dangerous substances on the farm!

Originally extracted as a base to make delicious ramen, its potency made it a first-class hazardous substance in no time!

A dragon’s components have an intense effect on humans, leading to either a mental breakdown or an explosion!

If you put that in the curry, it’d be a disaster!

Absolutely forbidden! Shoo!

“Lord Sainttttt! Please use meeeeeee!”

The next to intrude in the kitchen are the tree spirits living in the dungeon orchard.

“It’s not fair for Apple to always get all the attention! Give this persimmon tree spirit, Kakiemon, a chance to make the curry delicious!”

“What?! I, Arumikan, orange tree spirit, will make the curry smooth in no time!”

“No, no! I, Sonna Banana, the banana tree spirit, will...!”

Various tree spirits that inhabit the fruit trees started to appeal that they could be the secret ingredient?!

Furthermore...

“Wine is the friend of all things!”

The god of wine, Bacchus, barges in.

“It’s not just beer that can be a secret ingredient in curry! Wine and sake too! They’re sure to bring a new taste! Let’s not forget mirin!”

Don’t pour the entire bottle of alcohol into the curry!

And don’t all you tree spirits try to jump into the curry pot!!!

Besides...

Appealing so boldly won’t make you a secret ingredient anymore!

Not-so-secret secret ingredients are rushing to my curryyyyy!!! 

And to top it all off...

“I, Dorian Kaioh, the king of all fruits, will be a worthy secret ingredient for delicious curry!”

Stop it.

No matter what we do, we can never hide you and your durian-ness.