023: Hamburger and Mina

Lights sounds echo through the mansion’s kitchen as Bartolo chops some fresh onions in a practiced manner. Then he throws the chopped onions into a frying pan to stir-fry them. I mix up meat in a 7:3 ration between beef and pork using a knife in each hands while he’s doing that.

“Is it really a good idea to mince the meat so fine?” Bartolo

Bartolo checks on my finely minced meat, as the onions are being fried to the proper amount.

“It’ll be fine.” Al

“Really?” Bartolo

The dish we’re working on now is known to Earth as the hamburger steak. It’s easy to eat since it’s soft, although the preparation can take a while. It’s an easy-to-eat dish that’s popular from children to the elderly. Hamburger steak is all-ages, really awesome.

Once the minced meat is ready, let the stir-fried onions cool, then mix them all by hand with eggs. We can speed it up by using Ice Magic to cool down the fried onions. You want to keep your hands slightly cool during the mixing step, otherwise the fat in the meat will melt and turn dry when cooked.

If you knead til it becomes sticky, that’s the secret technique that makes legendary burgers. Then throw the kneaded patties between your hands about 10 times. This will push out the air in the patty and it won’t crack as easily when baked, resulting in a beautiful finish. If you get married, you should wear an apron when you make this tasty dish. Think of me when you do it.

“Hey, your face is getting lazy.” Bartolo

“Huh!” Al

Oops, I didn’t realize I was drifting off into thought. I’m cooking right now, I should concentrate on that. Relatedly, when I was in high school and making this dish in home economics, I missed catching it and the patty hit a friend who was next to me. The aftermatch of that accident comes to mind, it’s like… don’t worry about it, just be careful.

Once the patties are ready, fry one side in a hot frying pan with oil. Lightly dent the middle of the patty before cooking. The patty will swell as baked, so it’s difficult for the middle to get cooked properly. You should use medium heat to cook, low heat it won’t get cooked properly, and high heat burns the surface and the middle is undercooked. Once the first side is fried, flip it over and add a lid to the pan. Once the middle is cooked, you’re done.

“It’s done!” Al

“Oh! It smells great. It looks like the smell is leaking out of the kitchen.” Bartolo

“This smell may be permeating the surrounding rooms.” Al

From the open kitchen door, I can see Mina peeking in.

“She’s so interested that she’s drooling…” Bartolo

“That’s crazy, heh” Al

Perhaps he is desperately trying to ensure our efforts will not go to waste.

“It’s like a hyena looking for prey…” Al

“I’m not sure what a hyena is supposed to be, let me know sometime. That looks like a wolf to me.” Bartolo

“Let’s just forget about it.” Al

“Ok, if it’s not about sugar, I think it’ll be fine.” Bartolo

Ignoring the jealous gaze from Mina, Bartolo and I prepare to sample the hamburger steak.

“Huu” Mina

I feel like I heard a sad dog-like exclamation as Bartolo prepared the silverware for our sampling. No, that couldn’t have happened, I must have been hearing things.

“Let’s try it, Bartolo!” Al

“Yeah!” Bartolo

Bartolo seems a bit guilty over Mina’s hungry gaze.

“Yeah, this is delicious, it’s a hamburger steak.” Al

“It’s not too hard or too soft. The meat is well mixed and the cross section is red to brown. Thick gravy oozes out when cut.” Bartolo

“Wow, this is so tender, and this gravy…” Bartolo

Bartolo is overwhelmed as he’s chewing the meat.

“Wow” Bartolo

How long are you going to watch, Mina? What happened to your normal tasks?

“No worries, let’s make another serving for practice.” Al

“Oh, let’s get to that. I think it’d go well with cheese!” Bartolo

“Wow! Bartolo is ambitious, I think adding cheese would be a good idea. After that, we can try carrots and mushrooms instead of onions.” Al

Yeah, Bartolo and I nod to each other.

“Well, what should we do about the other test patty?” Bartolo

“…!” Mina

Bartolo points at the patty left in the frying pan.

I’m full from the test tasting, so I can’t eat anything more. I’m only six, I’d spoil myself for supper if I continued to eat. Bartolo could probably eat it, but he probably wants to curry favor with the figure at the door.

“Jiii…” Mina

“Should we give it to Mina?” Bartolo

“I’m glad, since if I continue to eat, I won’t be able to enjoy dinner. Serve it to Mina.” Al

“Woah!” Mina

Mina raises a joyful voice from the door.

“Mr. Alfred, can I eat this?” Mina

“Sure” Al

“Thanks so much” Mina

Mina smiles like an angel. She comes into the kitchen and waits for Bartolo to serve the hamburger on a plate. She already has picked up a knife fork.

“Hamburg ♪ Hamburg ♪” Mina

“See” Al

Mina grabs the plate from Bartolo, which holds the hamburger steak dressed with vegetables. I didn’t put the sauce on this one. Mina stares at the steak with her moist eyes and sniffs it carefully.

“Hmm, I’m happy with just the smell” Mina

“Then do you not want to eat it?” Al

“That’s not what I meant, oops” Mina

“Uh yeah, sorry about that.” Al

Mina is shy! She picks up the knife and fork to eat the hamburger steak.

She starts to move the utensils to the dish…

“Does something smell good? Did Al make something new? Can I try it?” Eleanora

Oh no, a monster has been attracted by the hamburger steak!

“Eleanora, today’s experimental dish is hamburger steak.” Al

“Eh? That sounds cool!” Eleanora

I’m forced to take Mina’s hamburger steak and give it to the higher ranked person. I have to grab a knife and fork as well. I’m sorry Mina, this is a world of dog eat dog, the lower classes are exploited by the upper class, such a cruel world.

“Wow, this looks delicious, I’ll share it with Mom.” Eleanora

“I would be interested in any impressions you have of it.” Al

“Hmm, thanks as always.” Eleanora

“Enjoy it.” Al

Eleanora leaves us with the hamburger.

“I’m sorry, Mina. I was overwhelmed by Eleanora.” Al

“Huuuuuu…” Mina

Mina looks down sadly like a dog whose food has been lost, it’s a little cute.

“Oh, this is a intense change of behavior.” Bartolo

“I may be a noble, but I’m a little brother before that, just because he’s a little brother…” Al

I said that little brother bit twice, it’s important.

“We’ll make another patty soon, just wait.” Bartolo

Bartolo puts his hand on Mina’s shoulder to reassure her, it seems like Bartolo is trying som persuasion.

“Yes, I’ll wait.” Mina

It’s a nice atmosphere, like they fit together. They are both of marriagable age and single, right?

“Hey Mina! How long have you been taking a break?” Mel

Mel appeared in the kitchen, probably trying to get a hold of Mina…

“Ah! Mel!” Mina

“Ah, Mel? That’s not what I expected. How long has this break gone on for? You still need to finish the corridor’s cleaning.” Mel

“No, but from now on…” Mina

“No? Not no, let’s get to work!” Mel

“Eh? Hey! Oh! Hamburger!” Mina

Mina is dragged by her collar by Mel.

“Ah. I’ll give you one later if I can.” Bartolo

“That’s true? Please!” Mina

Two maids have left the kitchen with that response.

In the end, Mina couldn’t enjoy hamburger that day since Eleanora came in. The hamburger was well-received by the family, but Mina didn’t have the clout to get some for herself.

Translation

Good Job!

Do Better!

Chapter

Love It!

What?

FFS!

Really?