Ming Lingyi then pointed to a lighter soup dish next to it. "This is called Golden Toad with Carp. The main ingredient is a meaty, firm bullfrog, kept whole. It's steamed with Shaoxing wine and ginger slices to set its shape, resembling a squatting golden toad with golden-brown skin.
"The soup base below is simmered separately. We take a Yellow River carp and use only the most tender part of its belly, slicing it thinly. A crystal-clear supreme broth is made by simmering ham, a stewing hen, and pork bones. Just before serving, the fish slices are blanched until just cooked and placed in the 'golden toad's' embrace or around it, as if the toad were embracing treasures of gold and silver."
This was the "Lu," for prosperity, of the Lucky Three Treasures.
Feng Shuyu looked at the vessel the soup was served in, which was surprisingly a small ding cauldron. "How unique! Did you arrange for this specially as well?"
