Jia Chang Doufu (Chinese Home-Style Tofu)

KunmingCook's Note:

Modified from Gourmet April 2003. This simple, delicious, spicy dish is standard fare in the parts of China where I've lived. Always popular with a crowd.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 2 baby leeks, cut diagonally into 1/8-inch-thick slices (1/2 lb total, white and pale green parts only)
• 10 ounces firm tofu, drained, sliced, and cut diagonally into triangles
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 1/4 lb ground beef
• 1 teaspoon chinese rice wine (preferably Shaoxing) or 1 teaspoon medium-dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon chili bean sauce or 1/2 tablespoon chili bean paste
• 1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon mild pure chile powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chinese fermented black beans, soaked in water 10 minutes and drained
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon potato starch or 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water
• white rice
• 1/2 teaspoon szechuan peppercorns, toasted and ground with a mortar and pestle

Directions:

1. Wash leeks in cold water, and drain well.
2. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 2 cups hot water, and add tofu. Soak 5 minutes, then drain.
3. Heat wok over high heat until a bead of water dropped onto cooking surface evaporates immediately. Add oil, swirling wok to coat, and heat until it begins to smoke. Add beef and stir-fry, breaking up lumps, until no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Stir in wine and 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce and stir-fry 30 seconds.
4. Add chile bean sauce and stir-fry until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add ginger, chile powder, and black beans and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth, remaining 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce, and tofu, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring gently, about 2 minutes.
5. Add leeks and simmer, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir potato starch mixture and add to tofu, then cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.
6. This serves two people as a the main dish, or up to 10 people as part of a family-style meal with a variety of dishes.