Catsharks were all cartilage, practically boneless.
Lu Ao adjusted his knife, removing the large cartilage and fins, then cut the remaining meat into large chunks.
He put the cartilage and fins into a pot to stew with a free-range chicken.
The catshark meat, meanwhile, was braised in soy sauce.
It was Lu Ao's first time making it. He stir-fried the catshark meat over high heat with scallions, ginger, and garlic, then added soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, and other seasonings to stew it. After boiling it over high heat for a while, he turned it down to simmer slowly. Once the sauce reduced, the dish was done.
While the braised catshark reduced, Lu Ao went to steam the scallops.
He opened the scallops, cleaned them, lined the shells with a layer of vermicelli he had soaked that afternoon, then spooned a scoop of garlic chili sauce over them.
The garlic chili sauce had just been fried. The golden minced garlic gave off a mouthwatering aroma, and before the finished dish was even ready, Lu Ao could already imagine how delicious the steamed scallops would be.
"I can smell it. Is it ready?" Song Zhou appeared in the doorway. "Need any help?"
"We can eat now. The garlic scallops need another three minutes to steam. Serve the chicken soup first."
"Okay." Song Zhou came over to ladle out the soup, then carried the freshly made braised catshark to the table.
Lu Ao followed him out and sprinkled a small handful of chopped scallions over the catshark before setting the stir-fried scallops on the table.
For two people, there were three dishes and a soup, every one of them generously portioned.
Song Zhou took a sip of soup first. As it slid down his throat, his eyes curved into crescents. "Delicious!"