Three days had passed since we’d eaten the Tsumire Soba.
We still had fifteen days to go before we reached our destination, Planet Zepha.
"I’m thinking it’s about time I whipped up something warm, partly to use up the leftover ingredients we have lying around."
"Meat! I'm sure there's still a block of Homemade Bacon left!"
At my words, Mina, who had been fiddling with a terminal at the table, leaned forward eagerly.
"Umm... meat sounds lovely, but I’m really craving some warm vegetables..."
Emma also spoke up, though she sounded a bit hesitant as she pressed a hand to her stomach.
"Alright, alright. I'll make something delicious with the stock we have that’ll satisfy both of you."
Mina’s tail wagged happily from side to side.
I swung open the freezer and pulled out several leftover ingredients. There was a small block of Homemade Bacon that was mostly just an end piece, along with various odd bits I’d trimmed off during previous cooking sessions. Each piece was small, but the rich, smoky aroma was as potent as ever.
Next, I pulled out the remaining scraps of Pseudo-Potato, Pseudo-Onion, and Pseudo-Carrot.
Today, I was going to stew them all together into a Special Pot-au-feu.
With the menu decided, it was time to get to work.
First, I sliced the bacon scraps into large, two-centimeter-thick chunks to give them some real bite. I also roughly chopped the vegetables into large, irregular pieces so they wouldn't fall apart even after a long simmer. The smaller ones I left whole.
"Are you going to put them all in the pot and let them bubble away now?"
I shook my head at Emma’s question as she peered over into the kitchen.
"Most people think you just toss everything into water or stock for a pot-au-feu... but adding a 'sear' right before you simmer changes the flavor profile entirely."
I placed the thickest, largest pot I had on the stove.
I drizzled in a little oil and dropped the thick-cut bacon onto the scorching hot metal.
A loud sizzle erupted, and the fat—infused with the scent of woodsmoke—began to splatter. An irresistible aroma that seemed to grab a hungry stomach by the throat spread through the room instantly.
I seared the meat until the surface was crisp, locking the umami firmly inside. Before long, a pool of rendered bacon fat gathered at the bottom of the pot.
"And now, it's their turn."
Once the bacon had a nice char, I tossed the root vegetables into the pot.
I stirred them until they were thoroughly coated in the bacon fat and sautéed them over high heat. I kept the heat going until the Pseudo-Onion, Pseudo-Potato, and Pseudo-Carrot developed a light brown crust.
"Whoa... it already looks delicious just like that..."
Mina stared at the pot, looking like she was seconds away from drooling.
That specific savoriness only comes from searing at high temperatures; you just can't get it by simmering alone. Once those caramelized flavors dissolved into the broth, the dish would reach a whole new level of depth.
"What a pungent aroma. The ship's Air Circulation System is operating at maximum capacity."
Lucia, who had drifted over to check on things without me noticing, spoke up in her usual clinical voice.
"Sorry about that. But you won't get this kind of depth unless you give everything a good sear first."
Laughing, I poured water into the pot. The temperature dropped instantly, and a cloud of steam rose with a loud hiss.
After that, I seasoned it with just a touch of salt and Seaweed Soy Sauce, put the lid on, and let it simmer gently over a low flame.
After letting it bubble for several dozen minutes, I carried the heavy, steaming pot to the dining table and set it down with a heavy thud.
"Alright, it's ready."
When I lifted the lid, a sublime cloud of steam—a blend of smoky bacon and the natural sweetness of root vegetables—brushed against my face.
I ladled generous portions of the chunky ingredients and the Golden Soup into deep bowls for everyone.
"Thank you for the food!"
Emma scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it carefully, and took a sip.
"Mmm...! The stock from the meat is incredible...! The flavor has soaked all the way through the vegetables... it’s so rich and complex!"
"That's the effect of the searing. You wouldn't get this kind of taste just by boiling it."
I stabbed a large chunk of bacon with my fork and bit in.
The meat fibers, tenderized by the long simmer, practically melted away. What overflowed from within was an intense umami that had been perfectly preserved by the initial sear. The sweetness of the Pseudo-Carrot and Pseudo-Onion proved to be the perfect match for the saltiness of the bacon.
"It's hot, but so good!"
Mina narrowed her eyes happily as she stuffed her cheeks with Pseudo-Potato.
"Come to think of it, when we first smoked that meat, I spent hours watching the smoke while it hung on the hangers, didn't I?"
"...While it was an unusual use of resources, I can conclude that the results are a return worthy of that labor."
Lucia took a sip of her amber-colored tea and quietly delivered her assessment.
The bacon I’d worked so hard to make was finally running low. But sitting here in the middle of a long journey, sharing a laugh and savoring the flavor together, felt like the perfect way to use it.
Our long, distant path to Planet Zepha passed quietly, accompanied by the warm, rising steam of the pot-au-feu.