She Was Condemned as a Villain, But After Baking Bread She Changed Her Job To Become A Saint!? - Chapter 1.8

Chapter 1.8

Allen seemed to finally accept my proposal and sighed.

“May I trouble you for some assistance?”

“Yes, of course!” I smiled.

I might even treat you to some delicious bread!

◇＊◇

“U-Um, isn’t this a little too much?”

“Huh…?”

Allen blinked as if he had no idea what I was talking about.

No way. Could he actually be so oblivious about the destructive power of his post-bath attire? The allure of his wet hair is simply breathtaking! Even his rumpled shirt doesn’t divert one’s attention from his beauty. What exactly is going on here?!

I know, I shouldn’t have invited him, but you shouldn’t let just anyone take care of you, either. It’s only natural that something like this would happen. It’s a good thing I’m the one who’s seeing this. A socially awkward otaku girl like me could never pounce on him.

“……No, it’s nothing. My apologies. I’ve just finished making dinner.”

As steam rose from the dish, I placed it on the dinner table.

“It’s homemade sun-dried tomato croque madame and minestrone.”

Croque madame is a dish made by topping a croque monsieur with a fried egg.

A croque monsieur, on the other hand, is a type of hot sandwich created in the 1910s at a café near the Paris Opera House. It consists of bread filled with ham and cheese, lightly fried on both sides in a buttered skillet. It is common to top it with béchamel or Mornay sauce.

The name “Croque Monsieur” means “crispy gentleman” in French. It is said to have gotten this name because it makes a ‘crunching’ sound (croque in French) when eaten, which made it unsuitable for ladies who prefer their meals quiet. It’s also a popular dish in Japan and can often be found on the menu at bakeries and cafes.

This “Homemade Sun-Dried Tomato Croque Madame” was made by filling bread with ham, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, then frying it in butter and topping it off with a generous amount of béchamel sauce and a fried egg.

The wheat flour in the bread and the béchamel sauce are good sources of carbohydrates. On the other hand, the eggs, ham, cheese, and milk in the béchamel sauce are well stocked with protein. This recipe contains high amounts of lycopene, iron, vitamins from the dried tomatoes, vitamins from the fresh basil, even β-carotene, and plenty of minerals.

Minestrone contains quite a lot of vegetables and beans, including tomatoes, so one can get a lot of vitamins and minerals from them.

“Please be careful. It’s hot.”

“Thank you”

Allen bowed politely and sat down in his chair, then looked at the croque madame curiously.

“This is bread, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Do you eat bread with a knife and fork?”

“Yes, since the dish is quite hot.”

The béchamel sauce and the runny fried egg will make the sandwich soggy as well..

Allen, however, seemed unsatisfied with the answer and frowned.

“Can you really cut bread with a dinner knife? Through thick one?”

Oh, I see. Oh, yes, that’s right. The bread in this world to too hard to eat with a knife and fork. Unless you soften it beforehand.

“Don’t worry, it’ll cut through. My bread is specially made.”

“Specially made?”

“Yes, please eat it while it’s hot.”

Allen probably didn’t understand what I meant by “specially made,” so he looked at the croque madame with a puzzled expression. But as expected of a holy knight, he had no intention of committing such a sacrilege as refusing the food that was offered to him. He took the knife and fork in his hand with a determined look.

“Eh…? It went through…?!”

Allen’s eyes were wide with surprise as he cut the bread with ease.

The cheese oozed out from the cut surface, mixing evenly with the béchamel sauce.

And the aroma of the toasted bread, tomatoes, and basil tickled his nose.

Allen swallowed and brought the fork to his mouth.

“This is…!?”

Eh? A question?

I was worried for a moment until Allen looked up at me and said it energetically.

“I-It’s so delicious! The white sauce is smooth, rich, and creamy! The cheese and egg yolk are hot and gooey, and the bread is… unbelievably soft, yet the surface is crispy and crunchy! What is this? This is amazing!”

“Oh, good. I’m glad you liked it. I was worried that it wouldn’t be to your taste. The name of the sandwich is Croque madame.”

“The saltiness of the ham and cheese is balanced by the sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes, and the basil adds a refreshing aroma… Each flavor pairs so well with the rich white sauce and egg… It’s interesting. I’ve never had a dish that gave me so many different flavors and textures in one bite. This is the first time I’ve ever eaten anything like this.”

Pausing there, Allen stared intently at the croque madame.

“Most of all, the bread… the bread is slightly sweet…? Is such a thing possible…?“