Fermented Black Beans

Ma Po Tofu

Add a small pinch of salt and sesame oil to minced beef. Mix well and set aside.

Chinese

Salmon with Black Bean Sauce

Fermented black beans are a versatile pantry staple that pair beautifully with proteins like salmon. This quick sauce comes together easily and can be used on chicken, shrimp, tofu, or stir-fried vegetables as well.

Salmon with Black Bean Sauce

Fermented black beans should be in everyone's pantry—they complement just about any protein and they can be turned into a sauce in no time at all. They are actually small black soy beans preserved in salt. You have to soak them to eliminate some of that salt, but then they are good to go. This sauce would go great not only with salmon, but on top of chicken, shrimp, tofu, or stir-fried vegetables. Serve with Butter-steamed Broccoli with Soy and Simple Boiled Rice.

Tofu, Fried, with Pork and Black-Bean Sauce (Peng's Home-Style Bean Curd)

Fried tofu takes on a meaty texture in this traditional Hunan dish with a pleasantly spicy and fragrant black bean sauce, perfect for serving over rice.