Alex knew that for dinner, four dishes and one soup would be more than enough for three people. Anything beyond that would be wasteful.
He planned the meal with care, deciding to begin with the yellow croaker. A rich braised fish dish seemed perfect to anchor the dinner. Next, he would stir-fry celery with pork strips, toss green peppers with cashews, and make a classic scrambled eggs dish with tomatoes and more green peppers.
As he surveyed the kitchen for ideas for the soup, his eyes landed on a can of lotus seeds. A grin crept across his face. Rock sugar, white fungus, and lotus seed soup, he thought. A light, sweet southern delicacy—something he was sure the director, who hailed from the South, would appreciate. Feeling rather pleased with himself, he got to work.
Just as he started preparing the ingredients, Emily strolled into the kitchen with a playful look on her face.
"Chef, what's on the menu today? You know I'm very picky," she teased, leaning against the counter, "To help you, I have this information, so remember it. My mom likes light dishes, my dad prefers something hearty, and I—well, I don't care as long as it tastes good," she said, pausing for dramatic effect. "But today, it's all riding on your performance?" She giggled, "But! No pressure though, Uncle. Just… everything rides on it."
"Right, no pressure," he chuckled, turning back to his chopping board. "Now go watch some TV. Don't let the kitchen fumes get to you. I'll call you when it's time to inspect my masterpiece." He gently pushed her out of the kitchen, still smiling.
"Fine, but don't forget—I'll be judging!" she called over her shoulder as she disappeared down the hallway.
Alex shook his head with a smile, refocusing on the meal. He moved with precision, knowing the order of things was crucial. First, he got the soup going since it would take the longest. Next, he prepped the fish, making sure the yellow croaker was cleaned and ready for braising. Then, he sliced up the vegetables, setting everything in neat piles, ready for the stir-fry.
He started with the green peppers, cutting them into fine strips before blanching them in boiling water. They came out looking fresh and vibrant, their color a bright, appetizing green. He tossed in cashews, added a dash of salt, a hint of MSG, and gave it all a quick stir before drizzling some sesame oil over the top. Satisfied with how it looked, he moved on to the next dishes, working methodically through the rest of the vegetables and meat.
The braised fish was the last dish to come together. Once it was bubbling nicely in the pot, he turned off the heat, letting it stew slowly so it would stay warm and tender. Timing is everything, he thought, glancing at the clock. He didn't want the fish to get cold before the director arrived.
Just as he finished up, a sudden thought struck him—the rice! He had forgotten to start it earlier. Cursing under his breath, he hurriedly measured the grains into the rice cooker, added water, and switched it on. The soup was nearly done by now, the rich, sweet aroma of rock sugar and lotus seeds filling the kitchen. He stirred it one last time, tasting it with a spoon. Perfect—sweet, but not overpowering. Alex couldn't help but feel a wave of pride. The meal was coming together exactly as he had imagined.
He checked the time again. The director would be home soon. Stepping out of the kitchen, he called, "Emily, time to set the table! Your mom's going to walk through that door any minute."
"Coming!" Emily replied, racing out of her bedroom and heading straight for the dining room.
As she laid out the plates, she looked up. "Uncle, are you going to set out the wine glasses too?"
Alex raised an eyebrow, "And what do you think?"
"Of course! We have to. This is a celebration, isn't it? Uncle is spending New Year's with us!" She clapped her hands together, her excitement contagious.
Alex smiled warmly. "Well then, let's make it a night to remember."