To Delight Guests, Spicy Minced Pork Over Fried Tofu

“While thinking of what to cook for my guests one evening, I created the following recipe using tofu,” June Strauss writes. “This recipe is good to serve with steamed rice and for people who love spicy food.”

SPICY MINCED PORK OVER FRIED TOFU

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon rice wine

1/2 pound ground lean pork

1 package Chinese or regular tofu, cut into 2-inch squares

Cornstarch

Oil for deep frying

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 teaspoons hot bean paste (available in Chinese grocery stores)

1 teaspoon sugar

1 cup chicken stock or water

2 tablespoons water

1 green onion, cut in 1-inch lengths

Combine sesame oil and rice wine with pork. Coat tofu lightly with cornstarch. Heat oil in wok to 350 degrees. Fry tofu until golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove tofu, leaving 2 tablespoons oil in wok. Place tofu on serving dish.

Stir-fry garlic until brown, add marinated ground pork and stir-fry 5 minutes. Add hot bean paste and sugar. Stir-fry another 5 minutes. Add chicken stock or water to pork and simmer about 10 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with water and heat until thickened. Add green onions and serve over fried tofu. Makes 4 servings.

--JUNE STRAUSS

Santa Monica