Bean Curd in Spicy Meat Sauce

To be made in two batches one day in advance if desired

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons corn, peanut or vegetable oil
• 1 ⅓ cups cored, seeded sweet red pepper, cut into half-inch cubes
• 1 ⅓ cups cored, seeded sweet green pepper, cut into half-inch cubes
• 2 pounds ground pork, preferably not too lean and not too finely ground, as found in Chinese meat markets, grocery stores and supermarkets
• ½ cup brown bean sauce
• 4 teaspoons bottled chili paste with garlic
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons dry Sherry
• 2 cups plus 3 tablespoons chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 12 Chinese bean curd, each cut into 16 pieces
• 1 cup finely chopped scallions, green and white parts combined
• 1 teaspoon ground roasted Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil
• Hot chili oil, optional, available in Chinese markets

20 to 25 servings

Preparation

1. Heat half of the oil in a wok and, when it is hot but not quite smoking, add half of the red and green peppers. Cook, stirring and pressing them against the side of the wok so that they blacken a bit without burning. Using a slotted spoon, remove them while they are still crisp and set aside. Leave the oil in the wok.
2. To the wok add half of the pork and cook over high heat, stirring and chopping down to break up any lumps. Cook only until the pork loses its raw look.
3. Add half of the bean sauce, half of the chili paste with garlic, half of the sugar and one tablespoon of the Sherry, blending thoroughly. Add one cup of the chicken broth and bring to the simmer.
4. Blend half of the cornstarch with one tablespoon of Sherry and one and one-half tablespoons chicken broth.
5. Stir this into the simmering meat sauce. When thickened, spoon and scrape the sauce into a large mixing bowl.
6. Wipe out the wok. Repeat the procedure using the remaining oil, peppers, pork, bean sauce, chili paste with garlic, sugar, Sherry, chicken broth and cornstarch. Add the second batch of peppers to the first batch and let cool. Add the second batch of meat sauce to the first batch and let cool. Refrigerate overnight or until ready to use. Refrigerate the peppers separately.
7. When ready to serve, return the meat sauce to room temperature. Return the sauce to large saucepans or casseroles and bring to the boil.
8. Carefully add the bean-curd pieces to the meat sauce. Stir and heat gently so as not to break up the bean-curd pieces more than necessary. Add the cooked red and green pepper cubes. Heat briefly.
9. Add the chopped scallions, ground peppercorns and sesame oil. Stir gently and serve. Serve with hot chili oil on the side, if desired, to be added by those who enjoy very spicy foods.