MCO 3.0 Day 31

Jaden requested me to cook Ma Po tofu for him for quite awhile already. I had not tried cooking it, so it required a little bit of work. We had the recipe in the cooking book that I bought previously for my helper to cook for us. Today, I used it for my own reference.

1. Marinade meat
   • 85g minced meat/chicken/prawns
   • A dash of oil
   • 1/2 tbsp corn-starch
   • 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce (or ½ tbsp light soya sauce)
   • 1 tbsp water
2. 450 g soft tofu, cut into 1 cm cubes
3. For Cooking
   • 2 tbsp oil
   • 2 cloves of minced garlic} – 30 seconds till nice aroma
   • ½ tbsp chopped ginger }
   • Add meat
   • 1 tbsp hot soybean paste (or bean paste and 2 chilis)
   • 1/2 cup stock or water
   • 1 tsp sugar
   • 1/2 tsp salt
   • 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce)
   • 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce (optional)
   • 1/4 tsp Szechuan pepper powder
4. Add tofu, cover the wok and cook till boil
5. Mix for thicker texture and flavor
   • 1 tbsp cornstarch
   • 1 tbsp water
6. 1 tsp sesame oil
7. 1 tbsp chopped spring onion – for garnishing

I cooked bigger portion to share it with my sister. She had been cooking for us and I’m happy that I can pay forward now. Sister said “What a lucky day” albeit she’s the one who has been cooking for us. After dinner she messaged me “Yummy. I added rice just for your tofu”.

Jaden is happy and gave me 8 out of 10. He has been stressed over his exam. Food gives comfort. I will reduce the oil and need to improve on the meat texture. It’s a bit mushy.

Happiness is right in front of us. We don’t need special moments or special occasions to find it.