Vegetarian Mapo Tofu | Asian Inspirations

Ingredients

• 4 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 300g eggplant (finely diced)
• 500g soft or firm tofu (cubed)
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
• 20g fresh ginger (finely chopped)
• 2 leeks (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp chilli bean paste
• Spring onions (for garnish)
• ½ sansho pepper or sichuan pepper (to serve)
• 2 tbsp sake
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp cornflour