Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune(50)

Sauce:

Soy sauce

Vinegar

Garlic

Chilies


Cut two slices of ginger. Pound them flat and toss them into the pot with the salt, pepper, and clear soda. When the stock is boiling, add the shrimp. Keep stirring. Watch for the color to change from glossy, striped gray to blush pink, and then you know it is cooked and ready. The shells must appear glossy and smooth. If the shrimp shells become wrinkled and inseparable from the meat inside, they are overcooked and will be rubbery in texture. Undressing a shrimp should be an easy task if it is cooked perfectly.

Pour the pot’s contents into a strainer, separating the shrimp from the stock. Add a sprinkle of sesame oil to the shrimp and sprigs of cilantro for plating.

Serve with a sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, smashed garlic cloves, and chilies.



Note:

The first time I drank clear soda, I marveled at its properties. It was like drinking liquid sugar, and I knew it would pair well with the natural sweetness of shrimp.

Serve this to those needing respite and peace. There are those who desperately need a sense of calm because they are facing difficulty in their lives. The sweetness of the dish will temper and soothe the soul.

This dish is meant for those seeking serenity. This is the third dish that promotes harmony.

The gray shells of the shrimp gleamed like smooth pebbles in a stream. Ten minutes before the guests arrived, I would submerge them into a hot bath of clear soda accented with slices of ginger. I watched and waited, checking for when the shells turned coral. The soda enhanced the natural sweetness of the shrimp. This dish would be the last to be cooked because of its short cooking time.

I also prepared a batch of scented jasmine rice. Every Chinese meal was accompanied by the requisite rice or noodle staple. Since I’d given such care in the three special dishes, plain white rice would serve as a subtle accent.

I smiled at the photograph of my grandmother. “Thank you, Laolao, for your recipes and your wisdom. I hope this works and I make you proud.”

The dinner would soon be ready and the guests were due to arrive.





Chapter Eighteen





I knew my neighbors would come to the dinner at the restaurant because etiquette and duty guaranteed their attendance, but I was concerned about the possibility of another disaster happening. Ever since I had decided to hold the dinner, I had refused to entertain any negative thoughts, but I found them encroaching now. Ma-ma had once said, “No matter how much you try to direct fate, eventually, she finds a way to do what she wants.” Tonight, I hoped fate would be on my side.

Older Shen was the first guest to arrive.

I opened the door. “Welcome.”

Dressed in a powder blue velour tuxedo and splashed in expensive aftershave, he hobbled inside on his crutches. He’d brought a bouquet of drooping pink chrysanthemums. “These are for you. Congratulations! The food smells wonderful.”

I accepted the flowers, murmured my thanks, and helped him to his seat. The scarlet carnation on his lapel clashed with his outfit. My invitation hadn’t indicated a dress code, but I appreciated that he was taking the event so seriously.

“That is an interesting outfit, Mr. Shen.”

“Thank you.” He winced and stared at his leg.

“Are you all right?”

“The leg is worse than before. Recovery isn’t going as well as I hoped, I’m afraid.”

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Shen.”

“It’s all right. The accident was my fault. I should have been more careful.”

A twinge of guilt hit me.

Miss Yu made her appearance next. She was resplendent in a pastel palette of roses and lavender. A rose sheath dress with embroidered matching flowers was completed with a crocheted lavender shawl. The familiar perfume of peonies lingered in the air as she drew me in for an embrace.

“Oh, dear one, it’s good to see you.” She placed a kiss on my cheek. “Your mother would be proud of your efforts.”

I pulled her aside into the kitchen. I needed to ask her about her prophecy, the recipes backfiring, the missing pages. “I was trying to reach you. Something’s gone wrong with the prophecy.”

“I’m so sorry. I’ve been away tending to my aunt. She isn’t doing well. What has gone wrong?”

I told her everything. She nodded, listening silently; all the while her smooth brow creased further.

“What do you think about the missing pages?” I asked.

“I agree with you that the damage in the book might have something to do with this. I’m sorry but Miranda didn’t give me any loose pages, only the scarf and the book. So these three dishes that you cooked for tonight, are they the ones you think might return order?”

“Yes, I’m hoping this fixes everything,” I replied. “Or at least gets us to where we were before I made things worse. I tried to find recipes that would create and restore harmony.”

Miss Yu reached out to pat my cheek. “You have a kind heart like your mother and your grandmother before her. I also hope this works.” She sniffed the air. “Judging by the aroma, you cook as well as your laolao. You have the same gift. The restaurant will surely be a success when it opens.”

I had so many doubts that it made me feel guilty to hope. “Thank you, Miss Yu,” I murmured. I wanted to continue the conversation, but with more guests filing in, I had to return to my duties. Perhaps at the end of the night, I might have another chance to privately speak with her and figure out my next move.