Wu Shufen nodded happily. "Cooking is no trouble at all. As long as you all like it, you just have to say the word."
"Alrighty!" After killing the eel and helping to butcher the soft-shelled turtle, Zhao Dehai took his leave and headed for the market in South City.
Wu Shufen blanched the turtle, then took it out of the water. Using a small knife, she scraped off the thin, dirty membrane from its shell. She removed the tips of its claws and its tail, then cleaned out all the internal organs and fat. Those parts had a strong, gamey smell and would spoil the flavor of the steamed turtle.
After washing it thoroughly, she minced the chicken into a paste. She sliced the mushrooms and ham, and after washing the scallions and ginger, she cut them into sections and slices, respectively. Then, she took out the broth left over from lunch and began to steam the dish.
Lin Yuezhen was helping out on the side, hoping to learn some of her cooking skills.
****
