Mapo Dofu

Mapo dofu means ‘pockmarked old lady’, and references the curdled texture of the tofu used in this Sichuan dish. The secret to the spicy pork sauce is the chilli bean paste called toban jiang, which is made from fermented broad beans, garlic and chilli. The Japanese do their own version (mabo don) featuring a similar combination. This makes a quick weekday meal spooned up over rice.