Mapo tofu

• tofu↗450g g
• groundnut oil3 tbsp tbsp
• pork mince↗100g g
• Sichuan chilli bean paste↗2 tbsp tbsp
• fermented black beans↗1½ tbsp tbsp

  rinsed (optional, available from souschef.co.uk)

• ginger↗2cm piece

  peeled and finely chopped

• garlic cloves↗3

  chopped

• light chicken stock↗200ml ml

  or water

• cornflour↗1 tsp tsp

  mixed with 1 tbsp water

• spring onions↗6

  sliced on the diagonal

• Sichuan chilli oil↗1 tbsp tbsp

  (optional)

• Sichuan peppercorns½ tsp tsp

  crushed

• cooked white rice↗

  to serve

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Get all the ingredients ready before you start cooking and set them out in bowls. Drain the tofu and cut it into 1.5cm cubes. Put it in a bowl and cover with very hot water. Leave this while you get on with everything else.

2. 2

   Heat a wok and pour in the groundnut oil. Get this really hot and fry the pork until it’s crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon but leave the oil behind.

3. 3

   Add the bean paste and cook, stirring for a few mins until fragrant, then add the black beans, ginger and garlic. Cook, stirring, for a min or so, then add the stock and let it bubble away.

4. 4

   Stir the cornflour and water into the mixture in the wok, drain the tofu and stir it into the sauce. Tip in the spring onions and the mince.

5. 5

   Add the chilli oil, if using, and sprinkle over the Sichuan peppercorns. The sauce shouldn’t need seasoning with salt, as many of the ingredients are salty already. Serve with boiled white rice.