Fiery Xi'an-Inspired Salt & Pepper Fried Tofu

Add your white long grain rice to a pot with a lid with 225ml [300ml] [450ml] cold water and a pinch of salt and bring to the boil over a high heat

Once boiling, reduce the heat to very low and cook, covered, for 12-15 min or until all the water has absorbed and the rice is cooked

Once done, remove from the heat and set aside (lid on) to steam until serving

Meanwhile, heat a large dry pan over a medium heat

Once hot, add your cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cracked black pepper and chilli flakes (can't handle the heat? Go easy!)

Cook for 2-3 min or until fragrant

Tip: Watch them like a hawk to make sure they don't burn!

Once fragrant, transfer the toasted spices to a pestle & mortar and reserve the pan

Add your smoked salt to the pestle & mortar and bash into a fine powder – this is your Xi'an-inspired spice mix

Drain your tofu and pat it dry with kitchen paper, then tear into bite-sized pieces

Add your cornflour to a bowl with most of your Xi'an-inspired spice mix (save a pinch for garnish!) your umami seasoning and a pinch of sugar and mix until fully combined

Add the torn tofu to the bowl and give everything a good mix up until all the tofu is coated – this is your coated tofu

Return the reserved pan to a medium-high heat with a very generous drizzle of vegetable oil (enough to cover the base of the pan)

Once hot, add the coated tofu and cook for 10-12 min, turning occasionally, or until crisp and golden brown – this is your Xi'an-inspired fried tofu

Whilst the tofu is cooking, peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Cut your red chilli[es] in half lengthways, deseed (scrape the seeds out with a teaspoon) and chop finely

Bash your cucumber with a rolling pin and chop it into small, bite-sized pieces – this is your smashed cucumber

Tip: Bash the cucumber in its bag to avoid mess. By bruising the cucumber, the water is drawn out more easily!

Combine your ketjap manis with half your rice vinegar (you'll use the rest later!), half the chopped red chilli (can't handle the heat? Go easy!) and the chopped garlic in a small bowl

Add 1 tbsp [1 1/2 tbsp] [2 tbsp] cold water and stir it all together – this is your spicy dipping sauce