Chapter 42

With Gilbert's help, we gathered about 100 ripe strawberries. There were still some green ones, so I plan to continue harvesting every day for a while.

The air was filled with a sweet and tangy aroma as I returned to the detached palace and changed into my apron dress. Once in the kitchen, I decided to start sorting the strawberries.

Some of the strawberries, which had been grown outdoors, showed signs of dirt and damage from touching the ground. For these, I cut out the damaged parts and used them to make strawberry jam.

Today, I plan to make three strawberry dishes:

- Strawberry jam with sugar, which can be reused and stored easily.

- Strawberry chiffon cake, with mashed strawberries mixed into the batter.

- And, the quintessential strawberry dessert—shortcake, which I’ve never made or eaten before, but I really want to succeed.

Gilbert, with a serious expression, was looking at the recipe notes I had written, getting himself pumped up.

A shortcake topped with bright red strawberries. This dish didn’t even exist in this world, but now that I have the strawberries, I want to try making it. Fortunately, during the trial and error of making chiffon cakes, Gilbert and the others had mastered the use of the Earth-made whisk. With their help, I decided to attempt making the world's first shortcake.

I lined up the ingredients: eggs, sugar, butter, and whipped cream for decoration, and started with the batter. I cracked the eggs into a bowl, mixed them, and added sugar, stirring in a circular motion. To ensure the sponge cake batter rose properly, I whisked it over a water bath. If the eggs aren’t warmed, the batter won’t rise well.

However, if the temperature gets too high, it can also fail, so I periodically removed the bowl from the water bath to mix it. The ideal temperature was around body temperature. I wished for success as I whisked the mixture at high speed, then slowed down to refine the texture.

When I lifted the whisk, the egg mixture should fall in a ribbon-like pattern. After that, I added flour and butter in sequence, mixed them with a wooden spatula, and poured the batter into the mold. I dropped the mold on the counter a couple of times to remove air bubbles, then placed it in the oven and waited before taking it out.

"Such a nice color and smell..."

The surface of the freshly baked sponge cake was a beautiful fox color, and it emitted a sweet aroma. To release the steam from the cake, I dropped the mold on the counter a few times, then removed it from the mold and let it cool on a wire rack. During this time, I checked on the strawberry jam being prepared by the other cooks and started making the strawberry chiffon cake.

The basic method is the same as a plain chiffon cake, but the difference is adding mashed strawberries to the batter. Without an electric mixer, I placed the strawberries on a sieve and mashed them with a fork. I worked diligently and quickly to preserve the aroma, mashing the strawberries into a puree.

Using the completed strawberry puree, I made the chiffon batter and put it in the oven. Next, I started assembling the shortcake. I sliced the round sponge cake into three layers, whipped the cream, and spread syrup on the bottom layer. I then spread the whipped cream and arranged the de-stemmed strawberries without any gaps, and added more cream.

The bottom layer was sponge, the second layer was cream and strawberries, and the third layer was sponge. For the fourth layer, I spread freshly made, rich strawberry jam and topped it with another layer of sponge. I then spread whipped cream over the entire five-layer cake.

"And for the finishing touch, with this star tip, let's see..."

I assembled a piping bag with a star tip I had made and decorated the cake with the remaining cream. The cream squeezed through the silver star tip looked like delicate, blooming white flowers.

Finally, I placed the carefully selected large strawberries on top, completing the cake decorated in white and red.

"This... is a very beautiful cake. The strawberries on top shine like jewels."

Gilbert was clearly impressed. I felt a bit embarrassed, but it was reassuring to know that the shortcake, even by this world's standards, received high praise for its appearance.

Strawberries, known as "the poor man's jewels" and often disliked in this country, were still called "jewels" in their nickname, suggesting they were highly rated for their appearance. In terms of taste, in a world where sweetness is rare, they should be a valuable ingredient.

Currently, strawberries are rarely used as food because they resemble "monster jewels." However, I hope that one day, strawberry dishes will become common, and people will enjoy them in the spring.

As I was thinking this, I felt a pressure from behind. Turning around, I saw, as expected, the gardener cat Ichi-chan peeking into the kitchen with a mini-sized fork in hand.

"Wait a moment. I'll cut the cake now."

Ichi-chan, who had helped grow the strawberries, was a benefactor. I immediately began cutting the round cake to offer it to Ichi-chan. The cut revealed the layers of pale yellow sponge and red strawberries, beautifully stacked.

I gently placed the plate with the strawberry-topped cake in front of Ichi-chan. Ichi-chan checked the cake from all sides, then plunged the fork into it, starting with the triangular tip.

Ichi-chan, with cream around his mouth, continued to eat the cake. It seemed that Ichi-chan preferred to eat the strawberries last. After swallowing the large strawberry with satisfaction, Ichi-chan purred in gratitude and curled up to sleep, looking content.

I carried the sleeping Ichi-chan to his bed in the room, then joined the kitchen staff for a tasting of the strawberry dishes.

I took a bite of the sliced shortcake. The smooth cream, the fluffy sponge, and the fresh, sweet-tart strawberries were a delightful combination. The sponge crumbled on my tongue, releasing a sweet aroma.

"Delicious..."

The subtle tartness of the strawberries added a refreshing accent. This cake was a treat, allowing you to enjoy both the sliced strawberries and the jam in one bite.

"Looking good, and even more delicious when processed. I'm really impressed by the potential of strawberries..."

It seemed that Gilbert approved of the taste. The other cooks, though surprised by the unfamiliar shortcake, also enjoyed it, their cheeks relaxing as they ate.

About three-quarters of the cooks were eating the shortcake, while the rest, still resistant to the shape of the strawberries, were trying the strawberry chiffon cake. The chiffon cake, with its slightly strawberry-colored batter, was safe to eat as it didn't retain the original shape of the strawberries.

"Delicious."

"Yeah, the previous chiffon cake was good, but this one is sweeter and tangier, and I prefer it."

"Next time, I want to try making the shortcake too."

The reactions were very positive. This was also part of a strategy to gradually reduce resistance to strawberries and promote them as a food. As cooks, they had a high interest in food, and I hoped they would spread the goodness of strawberries to their friends and acquaintances.

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After thoroughly enjoying the strawberry desserts, I changed into an outfit for going out as evening approached. Today's dress was a bright green, reminiscent of strawberry vines and leaves. With the help of a maid, I styled my hair with braids and decorations, then joined Lucian and Gilbert in the carriage.

"It's been a while, my queen. I heard you have something to show me. What have you prepared?"

King Glenreid, who greeted us in the audience chamber, seemed curious about the large wooden box Lucian was holding with both hands.

"Good evening, Your Majesty. I wanted to show you this."

Lucian moved quietly. What he took out of the wooden box was—

"That plant is the monster jewel... no, it's different. It looks similar, but it's not the same, right?"

"Yes, it's different. But, Your Majesty, you recognized it at first glance. Impressive."

"......I have a good sense of smell."

Is that so?

As the king, he might also be well-versed in the knowledge of poisons. With respect for the king, the meeting began.

Thank you for reading.

Regarding the typo issue, the gardener cat "ichigo" and the plant "strawberry" were confusing, and I made a mistake in the usage. I plan to change the gardener cat "ichigo" to the nickname "Ichi-chan" in a few places this week. I apologize for the confusion.