Braised Abalone with Mushrooms (Lú Wēi Bào Yú)

A pinnacle of luxury in Lu cuisine, this dish combines two prized ingredients: abalone and mushrooms. Dried abalone is a particularly expensive ingredient requiring days of soaking and slow cooking to rehydrate and tenderize. It is then braised for hours in a superior stock made from Jinhua ham, chicken, and pork, along with dried shiitake mushrooms. The resulting dish is intensely flavorful and umami-rich. The abalone achieves a tender, slightly chewy, yet yielding texture, absorbing the profound essence of the stock. The mushrooms contribute a deep, earthy flavor. The reduced braising liquid becomes a thick, glossy, and incredibly savory sauce. This is a dish of celebration and status.