This quick and easy salad is something I rustled up the other day for a vegetarian friend. Normally I would add a spoonful of pounded dried shrimps and season with fish sauce. Still the vegetarian version worked well.

I have promised myself to cook a new dish every weekend. While I was looking through the long list in my notebook marked ‘Must try’, I receive an email from my mother. It is a gentle reminder of a recipe she told me about some months back.

description
Shan tofu is made from chana dal or chickpea flour. Similar in texture to a soft tofu but pale yellow in colour and has a lovely delicate flavour. I have never seen this in any stores here but it is straight forward to make.
substitutes
Soy tofu
availability
Make your own
related recipes
Hand-mixed noodle salad, Shan tofu salad

description
Also known as preserved tofu or Chinese cheese, these dense creamy cubes of tofu are sold in glass jars usually in a chilli brine. They have a strong aroma and a unique taste. A small amount is added to stir-fried vegetables or made into a sauce with peanuts and fried onions.
substitutes
None
availability
Asian stores
related recipes
Spicy bean curd [...]