Hongshao Doufu

Bean curd is ideal for braising as it readily absorbs flavours and colours. Chinese bean curd seems to me to be the best in the world, smooth and satiny in texture and invariably perfectly prepared.

Here is a particularly tasty and easy-to-prepare recipe which I first sampled with my Kaiping (Hoiping) relatives. It was surrounded by many other dishes, but I was immediately impressed by its striking qualities. One of the ingredients, hoisin sauce, added colour and a slightl