Pock-Marked Mother Chens Bean Curd

• 1 black bean curd (about 1 pound)
• 4 baby leeks or 2 leeks
• 1/2 cup peanut oil
• 6 ounces ground beef
• 2 1/2 tablespoons Sichuanese chili bean paste
• 1 tablespoon fermented black beans
• 2 teaspoons ground Sichuanese chiles (only for chile fiends)
• 1 cup everyday stock or chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 6 tablespoon cold water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground roasted Sichuan pepper

1. Cut the bean curd into 1-inch cubes and leave to steep in very hot or gently simmering water that you have lightly salted.
2. Slice the leeks at a steep angle into thin horse ear slices 1 1/2 inches long.
3. Season the wok, then add the peanut oil and heat over high flame until smoking.
4. Add the minced beef and stir-fry until it is crispy and a little brown, but not yet dry.
5. Turn the heat down to medium, add the chili bean paste and stir-fry for about 30 seconds, until the oil is a rich red color.
6. Add the fermented black beans and ground chiles and stir-fry for another 20-30 seconds until they are both fragrant and the chiles have added their color to the oil.
7. Pour in the stock, stir well, and add the drained bean curd.
8. Mix it in gently by pushing the back of your ladle or wok scoop gently from the edges to the center of the work do not stir or the bean curd may break up.
9. Season with the sugar, a couple of teaspoons of soy sauce, and salt to taste.
10. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the bean curd has absorbed the flavors of the sauce.
11. Add the leeks or scallions and gently stir in.
12. When they are just cooked, add the cornstarch mixture in two or three stages, mixing well, until the sauce has thickened enough to cling glossily to the meat and bean curd.
13. Dont add more than you need.
14. Finally, pour everything into a deep bowl, scatter with the ground Sichuan pepper, and serve.

black bean curd, leeks, peanut oil, ground beef, sichuanese chili bean paste, black beans, ground sichuanese chiles, everyday, white sugar, soy sauce, salt, cornstarch mixed, ground roasted sichuan pepper

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/pock-marked-mother-chenrsquos-bean-curd (may not work)