STIR-FRIED TOFU AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS IN SPICY BLACK BEAN SAUCE

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STIR-FRIED TOFU AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS IN SPICY BLACK

BEAN SAUCE

 

Beefy shiitake mushrooms stand in for the standard

ground pork in this version of ma po tofu. What to

drink: The bit of heat here calls for a spicy white

wine with ripe fruit and crisp acidity, such as a

Riesling from Alsace or Germany's Rheingau.

18 dried shiitake mushrooms

3 cups boiling water

 

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 cup vegetable broth

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

 

3 tablespoons peanut oil

1 small leek (white and pale green parts only), cut

into matchstick-size strips

2 tablespoons Asian fermented black beans,* minced

2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce*

1/4 teaspoon finely crushed Szechuan peppercorns (wild

pepper),* or coarsely cracked black pepper

2 14-ounce containers soft tofu, drained, cut into

1/2-inch cubes

 

Fresh cilantro sprigs (for garnish)

 

Place mushrooms in large bowl. Pour 3 cups boiling

water over; let soak until mushrooms soften, at least

25 minutes and up to 4 hours. Drain. Cut off stems and

discard; finely chop caps.

 

Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons vegetable broth

in 2-cup measuring cup. Stir in remaining broth, soy

sauce, vinegar, sugar, and salt.

 

Heat oil in heavy large wok or nonstick skillet over

high heat until very hot. Add mushrooms; stir-fry

until browned, about 3 minutes. Add leek; stir-fry

until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add black

beans, ginger, garlic, chili-garlic sauce, and

peppercorns; stir-fry 30 seconds. Stir cornstarch

mixture to blend, then stir into vegetable mixture.

Add tofu; toss gently to coat with sauce. Reduce heat

to low, cover, and simmer until sauce thickens

slightly, about 4 minutes.

 

Spoon tofu mixture into serving bowl. Garnish with

cilantro and serve.

 

*Available at Asian markets and specialty foods stores

and in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets.

 

Makes 6 servings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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