Vegetarian Ham (Chinese New Year)

• 2 ounces bean curd dried
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce, tamari
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 each star anise
• 2 whole cloves crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns Szechuan, crushed

1. Soak bean curd in water to cover about 1/2 hour until soft.
2. Mix together remaining ingredients, then marinate the softened bean curd sheets in this mixture about 2 hours.
3. Select the largest and smoothest sheet and lay it on a flat surface.
4. Place the remaining sheets on it evenly, so that when rolled it will form a cylinder of regular dimensions.
5. Roll it up VERY tightly.
6. Place it on a single piece of cheesecloth or old sheet and roll it up with the cloth overhanging at both ends.
7. Tie the bundle like a toy firecracker at both ends where the bean curd ends.
8. Place in a steamer and steam about 1 hour.
9. (Check to make sure the water does not boil away.)
10. Cool the roll and unwrap it.
11. Cut into 1/4 inch slices.
12. Serve cold.

soy sauce, water, sugar, fennel seeds, star anise, peppercorns szechuan

Taken from recipeland.com/recipe/v/vegetarian-ham-chinese-new-year-48258 (may not work)