A Great Tofu Recipe: Ma La Tofu

"Tofu, yuck, you want me to eat that." This is the typical reaction of Westerners at the sight of Tofu. Personally, I found tofu to be very bland. The bland tasteless mush is not appetizing and is the main factor of why most people avoid it. Once I discovered tofu's cooking possibilities I realized that it’s just bursting with flavors. The unique quality about tofu is that it absorbs up the flavors of whatever you cook it with from tomatoes to chilies to garlic. I now love tofu and it is a common staple of my diet.

My favorite Chinese dish is Ma La Tofu a nice blend of hot spices. Spicy food lovers this traditional Chinese dish is for you! "Ma La" is the Chinese word for spicy.

• 1 pkg of firm tofu
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp. dried red pepper flakes (you can use pepper packages from Pizza Hut)
• 1 Tsp. peanut or vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup of vegtable stock or broth
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. cooking wine
• 2 tsp. miso paste
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. corn starch dissolved in 2 Tbsp.water

1. Cut tofu into small cubes roughly 1.5 cm.

2. Press ot mince the garlic.

3. Grate the ginger.

4. Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small to medium mixing bowl.

5. In a frying pan sauté the garlic, ginger and chili flakes in the oil for 5 minutes on medium heat.

6. Add the sauce and tofu.

7. Turn to high heat until the sauce boils.

8. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes. or until thickened.

9. Ready to serve.

I have the answer for you. You can fry tofu, BBQ tofu, stir-fry tofu, boil tofu, or even freeze tofu. Try your hand at cooking traditional Asian food.