TOFU IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE

This recipe calls for deep fried tofu which you can make yourself or buy 
from an oriental store.  The black bean sauce and fermented black beans 
can also be found at most oriental stores.  Serves 3-4.

2 blocks firm fried tofu, in 3/4 inch cubes
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 quarter-sized pieces of ginger, minced
2 tbsp. oil
2 or 3 green onions, chopped green and white parts
1 tsp. fermented black beans, rinsed briefly in water to remove
        some of the salt, then coarsely chopped.
1 tbsp. black bean sauce
1 cup vegetable stock or water
1 tbsp. sesame oil

Heat oil in large skillet or wok. Add the ginger and garlic; saute for
about 20 seconds until the aroma "explodes."

Add the black beans and the green onion and saute for about 10 seconds.

Stir in the black bean paste and vegetable stock; mix well. Add the tofu
cubes.

Turn the heat down to maintain a strong simmer; cover and let cook about
20 minutes.  Add the sesame oil and give a brief stir.

Serve over rice.

Notes:
* I typically triple the black beans and black bean sauce, and double 
  the garlic and ginger.
* I usually don't add two tbsp. oil at the beginning---maybe one,
  or .5  plus .5 tbsp. sesame oil, then the rest of the sesame oil at 
  the end. The sesame oil does do good things for the dish, though--
  leave it in. 
* I also usually add mushrooms.