[Photo provided to China Daily]

Celebrating tofu's essence

At The Brickyard at Mutianyu in Beijing's northern suburbs, chef Randhir Singh created this "China in a Bowl" dish for the restaurant's new spring menu. The artisanal tofu with spicy tomato sauce reflects the resort's commitment to wholesome, fresh, and local foods "and to supporting our neighbors," says co-founder James Spear. "We purchase the tofu we use from local makers who have workshops in their homes."

Pan Fried Artisanal Tofu with Spicy Tomato Sauce

4 portions

Ingredients for tofu

Artisanal village tofu 700g

Oil for pan frying

Salt

Crushed Black pepper

Ingredients for spicy tomato sauce

Red tomato 400g

Oil 150ml

Garlic 150g

Leeks 100g

Ginger 150g

Fresh green chillies 30g

Light soy sauce (LKC) 9g

Szechuan pepper 7g

Sesame oil 6ml

Cilantro sprig for garnish

Ingredients for round cabbage (or other green vegetable)

Round cabbage 500g

Method for spicy tomato sauce

1. Blanch and remove the skin of the red tomatoes, discard the seeds chop the tomatoes into dices, set aside.

2. Peel and finely chop garlic, ginger and leek, set aside.

3. Slit the fresh green chilies lengthwise, discard seeds and fine chop, set aside.

4. In a wok over medium heat add oil and put the szechuan pepper until dark brown, strain and discard the seeds and put the oil back on to the fire.

5. Add in the ginger, saute leeks until they just start to brown, add in the garlic and cook further with continuous stirring.

6. Add in the diced tomatoes and salt so as to dilute the tomatoes.

7. Cook until the moisture is gone, add in the green chilies, cook for another 2 minutes.

8. Add the light soy sauce and finish with sesame oil.

Method for pan-fried tofu

1. Slice the tofu into rectangular slice of 4cm long, 3cm wide, 1.5 cm thick.

2. Season with salt and black pepper and pan fry in a nonstick pan with vegetable oil until golden brown.

Method to pan fry cabbage or other green vegetable

In the same pan over low heat, saute the shredded round cabbage (500g), add in salt and pepper.

Assembly

1. Put the hot fried slices of tofu on the hot steamed rice, put the spicy tomato sauce on top, followed by stir-fry cabbage.

2. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro and enjoy hot.