Chapter 12:Molecular Gastronomy~Red Onion Liquid Pearl

"The potatoes are done," Rina announced, killing the heat. She scooped the steaming chunks from the pot and mashed them with swift, practiced motions. Butter and cream went in next—no measuring, just instinct—and she stirred them together until smooth, seasoning with quiet precision.

Chiaki watched from a stool, one leg swinging lazily. The process was too simple to hold her attention. She yawned and asked half-heartedly, "Anything I can help with?"

Without looking up, Rina replied, "Yeah. Mash those strawberries for me."

That woke her up. "You got it." Chiaki grabbed the blender and got to work, her hands quick but curious. "What's the strawberry for, anyway?"

Rina's lips quirked. "You'll see."

Their tasks finished simultaneously. Rina took the pulpy strawberry mass, transferring it to a saucepan with measured sugar. As the mixture simmered, the kitchen filled with the perfume of summer orchards - jammy, bright, and slightly tart.

Once thickened and glossy, Rina let it cool briefly, then carefully folded it into the mashed potatoes. The soft, pale mash took on a vibrant blush, blending into something completely unexpected—bright, velvety, and almost surreal in color.

Chiaki leaned in. "No way. Strawberry mashed potatoes? That looks insane—but kind of amazing."

Rina scooped a spoonful and handed it over. "Try it."

One bite and Chiaki's eyes lit up. "Oh wow… sweet and tangy, with the creaminess of the potato. This is genius!"

Rina gave a modest nod, covering the bowl with cling film. "It's just the garnish. We'll use it with the main course. The pickled red onion solution should be ready."

She strained the marinated red onion liquid into a clean pan, heating it to exactly 90°C. A sprinkle of agar-agar vanished under her whisk, the liquid thickening to the consistency of light syrup.

She turned off the heat and, after the mixture cooled slightly, carefully strained out the impurities before transferring it into a clear plastic squeeze bottle. Then, she retrieved the chilled olive oil from the fridge.

"Ready to see something cool?"

Chiaki nodded eagerly.

Rina squeezed a single drop of the warm onion mixture into the cold oil. Instantly, it solidified into a tiny, jewel-toned sphere—deep purple, glistening like a pearl suspended in amber.

Chiaki stared, wide-eyed. "It's like a real pearl," she murmured, her gaze locked on the shimmering bead, completely mesmerized.

Rina glanced at the clock. "Almost six. You finish up the pearls—I need to prep the red wine sauce."

Chiaki took the squeeze bottle from Rina, half-ready to say she'd rather watch the wine reduction—

but then thought better of it. Nothing could be more fun than this.

She gently pressed the bottle.

A single drop of red onion liquid fell into the chilled oil, instantly transforming into a glistening, purplish-red pearl.

Chiaki beamed. "That's amazing. This is way too fun."

Rina smiled faintly. "Have fun."

She turned to the brown stock. Straining it through cheesecloth, she set the clarified liquid aside before pouring Beaujolais red wine into a sauté pan. The alcohol burned off in blue flames, leaving behind concentrated depth.

Meanwhile, Chiaki kept dropping, one tiny pearl at a time.

After a while, she called out, "All done!"

"Almost there," Rina replied.

She joined Chiaki a moment later, inspecting the oil bottle now full of translucent crimson pearls. "Looks good," she said with genuine approval.

Chiaki beamed. "Told you I could do it."

Rina retrieved a sieve and bowl, rinsed the pearls gently, and plated them onto a white porcelain dish. "Taste one."

Chiaki didn't wait. The outer membrane gave way instantly, flooding her mouth with a burst of sweet and acidic onion—delicate, layered, and strangely addictive.

Her eyes widened. "This is magic!" she said, half-laughing. "I didn't know molecular gastronomy was this fun!"