by Dimitri on April 3rd, 2011, 6:45 am
Dimitri was becoming a common sight at The Rearing Stallion. He was always there doing some sort of work for them, or for his patron Knight. He used to begrudge doing this sort of work since he was a squire meant to be a Knight, but he was actually learning a lot of useful information. Remi and her husband were growing fond of him and his hard work, they often asked for him even when they didn't need him. Today he was coming in to provide an extra pair of hands for a special meal Remi was cooking for the dinner crowd. When he arrived however the place was swamped so he helped out with delivering food and drinks, bussing tables, and mingling with the customers. He noticed that he got extra attention from the female customers, but it remained strictly a servitude relationship.
Remi finally called him back into the kitchen. As he got back there, he saw a giant, shallow pot sitting on all of the range's burners. In it was water slowly coming to a boil. Remi's husband came into the kitchen with a large sea turtle in his large arms. It's flippers were still flapping, as he set it down on the table on it back. "Good eating tonight." He returned back to the bar and Remi handed Dimitri a large cleaver. "I need you to cut off it's head and quickly deposit the turtle in the vat of ice water next to you on the floor." Dimitri raised the cleaver, and brought it down with a snick as it sliced through it's leathery neck. Blood began to flow as he scrambled to drop it into the ice water, he even threw the head in for good measure. Once the bleeding stopped she had Dimitri change out the bloody water and then made him scrub down the turtle with a brush. When that was done she had him deposit the body and head into the unsalted boiling water on the range. The turtle boiled for about forty chimes until the skin on the head and feet became white and soft. She had him remove the turtle and set it on the counter. She then handed him a knife and told him to help her remove the undershell from the top shell. She then using very good knife skills, cut the flesh from the undershell and set it aside. She had Dimitri remove the feet and begin dicing them up, while she removed the organs. Remi found some eggs inside the now apparant female turtle, set them aside. She then cut out some of the inside meat and the liver. She had Dimitri sprinkle them all with salt and black pepper, then place in a kettle. He then sliced up carrots and onions and put them in the kettle along with a bay leaf and some garlic cloves. They placed the kettle on the range fire and brought it to a boil then covered it. They then drained the water and put all the meat and vegetables in the oven on a tray for about a half bell.
While the meat was in the oven, she had Dimitri seperate the yolks from the whites in the turtle eggs. He then added the whites into a pot of soup stock, along with a lemon rind. He then brought the concoction to a boil then whisked the whole thing together. He simmered for about five chimes, then let it cool for another fifteen chimes. Remi showed him how to strain through a cheesecloth, which he did, albeit a bit messily. They then added the turtle meat and vegetables and reheated the whole concoction. She added some sherry for a finishing touch. The soup was now ready.
Dimitri went out front and announced that sea turtle soup was the house special for the night. He then began bussing tables, taking orders, and chatting with customers when he found himself at a table of a younger looking girl. "And what can I get for you today?" He noticed she was nursing and ale and figured she probably wasn't much of a drinker.