Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe-Chapter 188 - 143: Vegetarian Challenge 2.0, Milk Shaved Ice 2

But it doesn't matter, as long as it looks good.

He scooped up some of the crushed ice that had fallen beside the bowl onto the table to taste it, nodding with satisfaction. It was full of a milky aroma, melted in the mouth instantly, and had a smooth and creamy texture.

This serving was just a test and couldn't be sold, because the fruits hadn't been cut yet, and the toppings hadn't been unpacked. By the time they were all ready, the ice would have melted.

The customers waiting curiously tiptoed and peered inside through the truck window. Their eyes lit up when they saw him bring out a uniquely shaped long white shaved ice.

"Is this shaved ice? It's nothing like what I've seen before!"

"Yeah, isn't shaved ice supposed to be made by chipping ice blocks?"

Lin Chen picked up a large watermelon from a nearby basket, swiftly slicing off a layer from each end, standing it vertically and skillfully peeling off the remaining rind as if performing a juggling act.

While peeling, he could still look up and explain to the customers outside the cart.

"The type you mentioned is called traditional shaved ice in Great Xia, also known as old-style shaved ice. What I'm making now is new-style. Today's flavor is sweet milk."

"Shaved ice made with milk?"

"Sounds interesting. I saw you just made a serving; can we order now?"

The two foreigners at the window had interest written all over their eyes, even instinctively licking their lips, seemingly a bit parched.

"Just wait five more minutes. I need to cut the fruits, it will be quick. What fruits would you like to add? We have watermelon, mango, cantaloupe, raspberries, and blueberries."

His movements were very fast; in just a few tens of seconds, he chopped up an entire large watermelon and piled it in a nearby metal container, then picked up the cantaloupe to slice.

"Can we have all of them? I have trouble deciding."

"Of course, you can. Do you want all the toppings too? We have coconut jelly and red beans."

"I'll take them all."

There wasn't a Great Xia Supermarket nearby, so the toppings were limited. He could only find the most common coconut jelly and canned red beans.

If business went well today, he planned to start selling them in the restaurant as well; with Great Xia suppliers, the ingredients would be more complete.

After slicing the cantaloupe and mango, he turned and mixed up a large tub of milk liquid, pouring it into the shaved ice machine.

The layers of long milk shaved ice slid down the rollers again, gradually piling up in the plastic bowl.

After hitting the pause button, he scooped two spoonsful of honey red beans and coconut jelly into the center of the snowflake ice, sprinkled blueberries, raspberries, and mango dices around, gently inlaid watermelon and cantaloupe along the bowl's edge, then continued adding ice until it fully formed into a peak before stopping.

The bright red watermelon and verdant cantaloupe stood like walls at the foot of the snowflake mountain, with the colorful toppings and fruits faintly visible in the mountain's center. The pieces of ice shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting a magical color.

But that wasn't all.

He scooped a spoonful of condensed milk and drizzled it in circles from above, wrapping the peak in a rich coat of milky aroma.

Lastly, he sprinkled some colorful sugar typically used with ice cream, and with that, it was complete.

"Oh my god, such a big bowl??"

When the guy saw the shaved ice almost the size of his head being brought to the window, his mind nearly shrank.

The quantity difference from the trial bowl earlier was just too huge!!

Not only was it big, but it also looked stunning, like a piece of art, something you'd expect to see only in a fancy restaurant.

"Only 15 euros for such a big bowl? It's really cheap, I feel it's enough for two of us."

The two guys seemed to have come together, initially wanting a bowl each. Seeing the size, they hesitated.

"Indeed, this is meant for two people. Of course, one person can finish it too; it just looks like more. Once it melts, it's just a bowl, but it's melting fast in this heat. It's best for two to share, and if you want more, just come back for another."

He had planned the pricing in advance, knowing making milk snowflake ice didn't cost much. The only expensive part was the cream; everything else was relatively cheap.

After yesterday's business with fish noodle soup, he gradually realized not necessarily going the cost-effective route could still work.

These foreigners had such simple minds; as long as it looked good, tasted good, and the price wasn't exorbitant, they were willing to pay any amount.

Now he was selling under the restaurant head chef's name, slightly raising the price. That seemed reasonable, right?

"Indeed, under this blazing sun, the ice is already melting. Quick, let's eat first, and then decide if we want a second serving."

Seeing such a large bowl of shaved ice being brought out to others, the customers behind widened their eyes and immediately reconsidered ordering one bowl each.

"Boss, we'll take a mango-only one."

"Give me the same as the guy before, everything included."

"Sure thing, coming right up~"

The two who just received their snowflake ice found a plastic stool, sat in the only bit of shade behind the food truck, each with a small spoon in hand, seemingly unsure of where to start.

This creation was just too exquisite, with layers of overlapping ice slightly melted on the surface, cloaked in rich condensed milk, resembling more of a work of art, hard to start eating.

"As expected of a head chef, even shaved ice comes with a new twist."

"Alright, stop staring and dig in, or it'll melt all over your hands."

The temperature by the sea wasn't high, just over twenty degrees, with a slightly cool sea breeze brushing against their ears.

The two took quick photos and then eagerly dug their spoons into the sides of the summit, scooping a full spoon of crushed ice.

The texture of the snowflake ice was entirely different from the shaved ice they imagined; not hard at all, but soft, fluffy, and melted in the mouth instantly. The rich sweetness of the condensed milk combined with the creamy milk flavor hit them so intensely, it caused them to close their eyes in delight.

"So flavorful, I've never tasted a dessert with such a rich milk aroma!"

"What's this creamy sauce on the surface? How can it be both sweet and fragrant without being overly rich? It's amazing!"

The fluffy snowflake ice and the permeated condensed milk formed a perfect combination, diluting the concentrated milk while the sweet elements complemented each other, ensuring it wasn't overly sweet, made refreshing by the cold temperature of the ice.

The two couldn't stop eating, one spoonful after another, soon hollowing out the upper part of the peak.

With another scoop, the tip of the spoon seemed to touch something very soft. Lightly scraping away, they found rich honey red beans and coconut jelly, with golden mango cubes.

Hidden inside the surrounding crushed ice were many blueberries and raspberries, delivering surprises with every random scoop.

The texture of the chilled coconut jelly changed from its original Q bomb state to slightly firm, resembling the texture of ice cream that had softened by about thirty percent.

A bite into it provided a crispy, almost icy exterior with the internal elasticity of coconut jelly, allowing the coconut aroma to weave with the milky flavor back and forth in the mouth, offering a whole new sensation.

They each tried some with honey red beans, some with mango, and some with raspberries...

The switch of ingredients created an entirely new taste experience each time.

One dessert, several flavors, such a novel experience for both of them.

"Why don't they sell such delicious shaved ice in restaurants? It would surely be popular!"

"I guess they don't know how? I saw the head chef use a very unique machine, probably a special shaved ice machine only available in Great Xia, that makes this type of shaved ice possible."

"It's more than just the shape; the milk ice also has a rich texture, with a full-bodied milk flavor and sweetness, like drinking chilled milk with cream."

They had never tasted shaved ice this good before, only familiar with the type that had syrup drizzled over plain crushed ice that lacked flavor. Even adding milk back then left it tasting layered.

Unlike this bowl, where the milk and crushed ice perfectly blended, as if turning ice cream into the shape of shaved ice.

As the customers continuously received their own snowflake ice, Lucas came stumbling over in flip-flops.

"I'm coming! I'm here! What's on offer today... whoa, snowflake ice?!"

"Old Lin, finally you're selling icy treats!!"