Garlic & Black Pepper Tofu

It may come as a surprise to many, but the chili pepper was only introduced to Thailand in the last couple hundred years. This preparation has more ancient origins, reminiscent of the time when Thai cuisine was chili-free.

4 cloves garlic, minced
2 TB shallots, minced
2 TB mushroom-flavored soy sauce
1 tsp. palm sugar
1.5 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
1 tsp. cilantro root or stem, minced

2 TB vegetable stock, or more as needed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup long beans, chopped
1 block tofu, cubed
2 TB oil

Fry the cubed tofu in 1 TB of the oil until golden brown. Remove from pan. Add garlic, shallots, soy/veggie fish sauce, cilantro root, palm sugar, and pepper to food processor/mortar and process/pound until a smooth paste. Add 1 TB oil to pan and fry paste for 1 minute, until aromatic. Add blanched green beans, red pepper, tofu, and vegetable stock as necessary to make a sauce of medium thickness. Cook 3-5 minutes or until beans are cooked through. Serve.