Undoubtedly, among many nations worldwide, the British rank fish among their top three favorites. Although their cooking methods for fish mostly involve frying or grilling, their love for it remains unaffected.
It's worth noting that from 1944 to 1976, for the profits from exporting fish and to feed more people, the British government even initiated several "Cod Wars" with their navy.
The Lomond Lake, which carries the entire freshwater supply for the Scottish region, is the largest lake in the whole of Britain. Surrounded by dozens of other lakes and fifty rivers, most of the cold waters contain various fish species like salmon, sea trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout, sometimes even including brook trout and pike.
Unfortunately, all fishing by boats was strictly prohibited by the government. Additionally, due to some "minor incidents" a year ago, they added peculiar regulations like "no throwing any items into the lake" and "prohibition of electrifying the lake."
Nowadays, to taste the delicious fish from Lomond Lake, the only way left is the straightforward method of sitting by the lake, using a fishing rod. Any other method is considered poaching.
However, Elena, considering herself a seasoned foodie, had always been quite averse to fishing.
Unlike ordinary folks: baiting, hooking, and reeling in fish, Elena usually needed to pray that the fish she caught wouldn't be one of those dozens or perhaps hundreds of robust fellows lurking in Lomond Lake—an experience that often led to the embarrassment of the petite silver-haired girl getting pulled into the water by the hooked fish.
The most miserable time, she was "caught" and dragged into the water no less than four times in a single day, so much so that the infuriated girl sneaked into the town's stonemason workshop overnight and, using scientific methods, achieved revenge.
However, today seemed to be a rather fortunate day for her.
Leaving Benedictus's cottage, armed with fishing gear, Elena managed to reel in three salmon and a brown trout in less than an hour. Though not a lot compared to professional anglers, it was more than enough for the orphanage.
Well, perhaps a bit more than enough.
Glancing at the small plastic bucket by the riverbank, after adding the four large fish, Elena realized it was a bit cramped. Moreover, she wasn't eager to return to the orphanage so early. In case Benedictus was still in a foul mood, she'd likely face a round of scolding.
"This fish looks so beautiful."
The girl crouched down, delicately teasing the brown trout, slightly different from its companions, in the chilly water bucket. Its surface had a hint of fluorescence, with a green-brown back and a white belly.
"The way it looks, it might pick a fight if I put you with the others."
Elena tilted her head, then adeptly grabbed the fish's tail and lightly thumped it on the ground.
Pia~Pia~Pia~
After a few symbolic struggles, the fish grew tired and dozed off.
The brown trout, also known as the river fish, was a common edible fish in the Scottish and Irish regions. Its meat was delicious, sweet, warm, and had fewer bones. It could be fried, boiled for soup, or grilled to display its excellent taste.
However, if there was any drawback, it was that preparing the river fish could be slightly tricky. Improper cleaning of the fish glands might lead to stomach discomfort and indigestion.
Of course, for Elena, this wasn't a significant problem. Situations where she had to "make do" with cooking ingredients in the wilderness like this weren't new to her.
Elena stood up and arranged a small pile of rocks by the riverbank, lighting a fire using dry twigs from the shore. Taking out a neglected knife from her fishing gear bag, she skillfully began to remove the brown trout's scales and innards.
...
Crackle, sizzle~
The flames crackled as the dry branches broke, and the succulent fish juices dripped onto the heated rocks, emitting an enticing sizzle.
The tree branches by the lake weren't the best for grilling due to the smoke being more irritating compared to other sources. However, Elena, engrossed in grilling fish, seemed unconcerned about these minor flaws.
"Wow, this one looks so beautiful."
Elena licked her lips, her nose twitching, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the grilled fish in her hand.
The tender fish skin had turned golden brown due to the fishing ban at Lomond Lake, making the trout from the lake visibly plumper compared to those available in the market. The golden fish oil oozed from the cracked belly, tempting the taste buds.
"So fragrant, my mouth's watering. But there's one last step."
Elena carefully examined the crisply grilled fish, suppressing the urge to take a bite immediately.
With glee, she reached for the salt and pepper shakers beside the stone pile, sprinkling them generously over the aromatic grilled trout. Then, using a small oil brush, she evenly brushed the fish to spread the flavors.
"Hehehe, all done, time to dig in!"
Elena rubbed her hands together in satisfaction, lifting the grilled fish from the fire, closing her eyes to savor the tantalizing aroma. Swinging her head in delight, she opened her mouth and took a bite.
At that moment, Elena vaguely heard a slightly familiar adult woman's voice nearby. Suddenly, her hand holding the skewer felt empty.
"Grilled fish, fly to me!"
Howl... Huh?!
Biting into thin air, Elena, perplexed, opened her eyes to find nothing in her hand. Even the iron skewer skewering the fish had vanished. Not far away, a professor wearing a Scottish checkered coat, Professor McGonagall, held a wand in one hand and a still sizzling grilled fish in the other.
---OVO---O-O---O_O
"My fish..." the silver-haired girl's expression froze, her gaze alternating between her empty hand and Professor McGonagall. Finally, she realized what had just happened.
Her grilled fish had been summoned away by Professor McGonagall's spell.
Someone in this world dared to use a spell to steal food! A noble wizard using magic to snatch a muggle girl's grilled fish!
"Thief! Give me back my fish! I caught it myself and grilled it for over ten minutes!"
Elena's delicate face reddened momentarily as she angrily stood up, moving towards Professor McGonagall to reclaim her hard-earned meal.
Pia, click...
Before she could take more than two steps, Elena felt a sudden numbness in both her legs, causing her to stagger and then clumsily trip over her own feet, tumbling onto the grassy ground by the lake.
"Ouch, it hurts... sat too long, got a cramp."
Elena sat up, gingerly poking her calf, a sudden surge of pain causing her to tear up.
Helplessly maintaining her position, Elena sat on the ground, raising her tear-streaked face in defiance, glaring at Professor McGonagall, and angrily shouting, "Give me back my fish! What do you want, you annoying old lady!? I've said it before; I'm absolutely not going to Hogwarts!"