Beijing Tofu Pudding

Beijing Tofu Pudding

　　A traditional Beijing snack. The tofu pudding is white, soft, tender, delicious, and aromatic. In Beijing, tofu pudding is always halal, and its broth is truly exceptional — thick yet not runny, the tofu delicate yet firm, with a refreshing fragrance. Nowadays, the taste of tofu pudding isn’t what it used to be, mainly because aside from soybeans, all other ingredients must be substituted. Mung bean powder is expensive, so sweet potato or potato starch is used instead, and dried mushrooms are replaced with shiitake mushrooms. The flavor has significantly diminished. The cookware also matters — a clay pot is preferred because it's lightweight, conducts heat quickly, and especially helps preserve the original taste without being affected by metal utensils. In earlier years, the most famous vendors were “Bai” from Menkuai Hutong outside Qianmen and “Ma” from Gulou, known as the “Southern Bai and Northern Ma.”

Preparation Method: Soak soybeans in cold water until swollen, then wash and grind them into a thin paste. Add water, stir well, and strain through a fine sieve. Skim off the foam from the top of the soy milk, pour it into a pot, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Scoop out some of the soy milk, and pour the rest into a ceramic jar to keep it warm. Dissolve plaster powder in a water ladle with warm water, then immerse it into the ceramic jar. Lift it up to pour the plaster mixture into the soy milk. Then pour another portion of the soy milk into the jar to mix thoroughly with the plaster mixture. Let it sit for a few minutes, skim off any foam, and the coagulated result is the tofu pudding. In a pot, bring cold water to a boil, add sliced lamb, and stir gently. Just before the water boils, add soy sauce, mushroom soaking liquid, salt, and MSG. When the water boils again, add a starch slurry to thicken, and once it boils, the broth is ready. To serve, place the tofu pudding in a bowl, pour an appropriate amount of broth over it, and add mashed garlic and chili oil.