Cauliflower and Beef in Black Bean Sauce

Most people describe cauliflower as bland, but my mother’s stir-fried version is packed with flavor. Her secret is fermented black beans. Soybeans go through a fermentation process that transforms them into soft capsules of earthy pungency. When combined with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, the dark beans make a robust, appetizing sauce. When I went away to college, I asked her to send this recipe. It’s simple, satisfying, and economical—Hakka virtues that a hungry student could appreciate.