Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Dasca’s Apartment- Dinner with Kenzo

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Dasca’s Apartment- Dinner with Kenzo

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Dasca’s Apartment- Dinner with Kenzo
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

She sipped her wine, thoughtful. “It would be more… I don’t know that civilized is the right word, but hopefully less catastrophic. I’ve been the one fighting, the one left behind when civilians were attacked, and I’ve also been the one trying to keep the peace, trying to stop events from escalating into war.” Dasca shook her head. “Your idea sounds doable on the surface, but we both know that it requires both sides to be coming at it from the same perspective, or at least with goals that are compatible. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case. But I still believe that trying to prevent things from escalating into conflict is our best chance.”

“Idealistic thinking on my part, for certain. More like a fond wish than any kind of plan.” Kenzo said with a hint of regret.

“Nothing at all wrong with that,” Dasca said with a soft smile. “Life is hard enough without at least a little bit of hope.”

Setting her glass down, Eela returned her attention to the vegetables. She reached for a bottle of a dark red liquid and drizzled what seemed to be a thin syrup over the contents before giving it a stir. “In the fridge is a bowl of chopped fruit and vegetables. if you don’t mind grabbing that, it needs to be tossed with the greens.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“Of course.” Kenzo replied and moved to the refrigerator. He took out the bowl, placed it down next to the greens, and then found a pair of large spoons. He began to mix the two together in a way that showed cooking was not an uncommon task for the man.

Kenzo

She moved the pan of vegetable to the side and reached for pot holders. Opening the over, Eela pulled out a large foil lined baking sheet that had a mound of a hard packed white substance that had browned on the surface. The smell of roasted fish became more prominent and she set the tray on the stone counter of the island where they were working, but far enough that it wouldn’t burn either of them as they continued to prep the meal. “Have you ever had salt-baked fish?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Kenzo set the bowl the side and shook his head. “No, I do not believe I have.” He looked at the dish said “I take it the fish is inside the salt mound?”

Kenzo

Eela’s eyes lit up. “Indeed it is,” she said as she reached behind her, pulling a knife out of the block. She tapped the top of the mound with the back of the knife with a thunk, thunk showing it was very solid. “I’ve discovered that many cultures have a version of cooking using a salt crust. Because it insulates whatever you’re cooking inside, it results in a gentle heat that is more even. Useful if you’re cooking in a fire pit or something similar where heat distribution might not be predictable. It also allows moisture to be retained so there’s no risk of drying the fish out.”

Using the tip of the knife, Eela began the careful act of breaking open the crust by pushing the knife tip in and twisting to cause fracture lines. Form there she was able to pull off whole sections of salt as solid pieces, revealing a steaming red and black fish surrounded by herbs and thin layers of some sort of pink vegetable. Wafting from the pan was a clean fish and strong green aroma followed up with a subtle floral scent. “In this case, this dish is a Haliian one called kapp’ala that has been cooked in the western coastal region for hundreds of years. It’s very popular during celebrations.”

“It smells delicious.” Kenzo said and then looked at her with a slight smile. “Is the fish from your world as well? Or are you trying to placate me with a cheap substitute?”

Eela chuckled. “The kappen fish is from Halii, yes. Though it is replicated, sadly. Not enough time to have something fresh shipped, though I’m working on trying to get a shipment together in time for one of our holidays.”

With her hands full of salt, she gestured with her head behind her. “Do you mind grabbing that platter on the counter behind me?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

He nodded and pulled the platter over and set it by the baking dish. “I like the presentation. It’s quite appetizing.”

Kenzo

Her smile widened as she peeled off the last of the salt and then grabbed a much thinner and more flexible knife meant for filleting. “I’m glad. I fully subscribe to the idea that we eat with our eyes, especially dishes or cuisines that are new to us. Things that look interesting to eat are generally better received,” Eela said she carefully sliced the fish horizontally along its midsection and began to carve off the scaled skin and carve out the backbone.

“Normally I would leave the skin on, but in order to prevent the salt from penetrating into the fish and over seasoning it, you leave the scales on. I don’t recommend eating those,” she added as she lifted the two fillets carefully to one side of the platter and there was clearly a bunch of space left. “If you don’t mind scooping some of the vegetables from the pan on the stone, we’ll be nearly ready to go. There should be a large spoon in the big jar near the stove.”

Eela stepped over to the sink and gave her hands a thorough cleansing. “What do you cook when you decide to?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.