A Feast of Sweet Potatoes
After finishing my morning tea time, I headed to the kitchen.
I was going there to prepare the candied sweet potato dishes I had promised yesterday. Thanks to Gray informing Mr. Abe in advance, the stock of sweet potatoes had been properly secured.
Bang!
“Ugh… That hurt…”
I had been lost in thought while walking and crashed straight into the door.
“You okay, Missy?”
Hearing the sound, Mr. Abe came out of the kitchen.
“Yeah… I was just thinking about something. Ehehe.”
With teary eyes, I laughed to hide my embarrassment.
“The sweet potatoes have arrived.”
“Really?... Whoa, that’s a huge amount!”
“So? What are you making? We only know how to steam or roast them. Right?”
“If there are other ways to eat them, I’d like to know.”
Said Arthur.
“Yes, I’m very interested.”
Added Anny.
“Well, let’s see… For soup, I’ll make a potage. The main dish will be croquettes, and as a side, I’ll sauté them in butter. For dessert, I’m thinking of sweet potato treats and chips.”
“I don’t really get what kind of food those are, but can you really make that much?”
Mr. Abe asked, surprised.
“Yup! It’s not much different from using jagatoes. Alright then, Mr. Abe, you’ll handle the croquettes. Arthur, you do the potage and butter sauté. Anny, you’ll help me with the sweet potato treats and chips. Let’s do this!”
[Ohhh!!!]“First, for the croquettes, potage, and sweet potatoes, we need to peel them, slice them into 5cm rounds, soak them in water, and then steam them. Meanwhile, for the butter sauté, we leave the skin on and cut them into matchsticks. The chips should be thinly sliced, and both should be soaked in water.”
The four of us silently got to work.
“Mr. Abe, please mince the tamaons and fry it with ground meat for the croquettes. Season it heavily with salt and pepper. Arthur, slice the tamaons thinly and sauté them in butter until translucent for the potage—don’t let them burn. Anny, help me mash the steamed sweet potatoes.”
After everyone completed their tasks, the prep work was done.
“For the croquettes, mix the fried ground meat with mashed sweet potato, shape them, and coat them in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs in that order. For the potage, add the mashed sweet potatoes to the chicken broth, bring it to a boil, then strain it for a smooth texture. For the sweet potato treats, mix in butter, milk, and sugar, shape them, brush the surface with beaten egg, and bake them in the oven.”
“Missy, we have no idea what ‘shaping’ means or what sweet potato treats even are.”
Mr. Abe looked at me skeptically, and Anny nodded in agreement.
“Oh, right! Let’s see… Croquettes should be shaped like this… and sweet potato treats should be small bite-sized balls.”
"""Got it."""
“Little Joan, what do we do after straining the potage?”
“After that, season it with salt and pepper, and it’s done. For the butter sauté, just fry them in butter and season with salt and pepper.”
Finally, we fried the croquettes and chips, and lunch was ready.
“Alright, time for a taste test!”
“Ow… hot… but delicious.”
Arthur took a bite of a freshly fried croquette.
“This potage is sweet and so good. Is this the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes?”
Anny asked.
“These sweet potato treats are amazing. I could eat an endless amount.”
Despite his tough appearance, Mr. Abe, who had a sweet tooth, smiled.
“Perfect! Do you think everyone will like it?”
"""Of course!!!"""
＊＊＊
At lunchtime, I sat at my seat, feeling like I was about to take a test.
“Well then, let’s eat. Itadakimasu.”
[Let’s dig in!]Crunch… chew, chew…
“”Yum!!!””
Brother Gene and Vee exclaimed in unison.
“This is amazing. Is this really made from sweet potatoes?”
Grandfather asked.
“Yes, we made croquettes, potage, and butter sauté from sweet potatoes. We also have sweet potato-based desserts prepared.”
“These croquettes are wonderful. The crispy coating makes them fun to eat.”
Father said.
“You can also make croquettes with jagatoes. In my past life, they were sold as street food, wrapped in paper, and eaten while walking.”
“Then let’s sell them through the Merchants’ Guild! Nancy!”
Margaret’s eyes sparkled as she made the declaration.
“Yes, understood.”
Nancy immediately left the dining room.
S-So fast.
At this rate, they’ll probably start selling them tomorrow or the day after.
“What do you think, Big sister Julie?”
“Mmhmm… The croquettes are delicious. Thank you, Little Joan. I’m so glad I got to eat them before I leave. Munch, munch…”
“Julietta! You’re not a child—either eat or talk, don’t do both!”
Grandmother scolded her.
“But there’s more right in front of me… If they run out, I’ll be sad.”
"""Are you a child?!"""
Grandfather, Grandmother, and Father all said in unison.
“Ah… um, Big sister Julie, I’ve prepared some uncooked croquettes, so you can fry them at home and still enjoy them.”
“”Yay!!!""
Vee’s love for food must come from Big sister Julie. Their sparkling eyes and excitement were exactly the same.
“Mother, Vee, calm down! Father, stop focusing only on eating and say something!”
Brother Aran scolded the three of them.
"""Sorry…"""
Oh dear, Brother Aran ended up scolding them all.
But I’m really glad the sweet potato dishes were a hit.
I hope this can also help solve the farmers’ concerns.
What do you think about this chapter?
... hah, rather then 'solve' there problem you just traded it for others. Now not only can they not keep up with the demand but there working themselves to the bone trying to