56: Fried tofu in tomato sauce (Page 82, KOTO)

Two weeks ago I was back in Sydney eating some of the best food Sydney has to offer; my mum's. I think everyone who moves away from home misses their mother's cooking (or the convenience of having food readily available) but sometimes the benefits of independence outweighs those of a home cooked meal. If it were possible for me to go home every week just so I could eat my mother's cooking I would. I don't even try to replicate her food because I know it will always seem bland in comparison.

I borrowed a Vietnamese cookbook called KOTO, named after a charity in Vietnam that educates kids in the hospitality and tourism industry. I really enjoyed flipping through this book and seeing pictures of dishes that I easily recognise. When I saw this recipe for tofu in tomato sauce I just had to try it. It's not quite Pho, but it still reminds me of traditional Vietnamese food.

Did I do it justice? Unfortunately not. It came down to poor quality tofu. The tofu I bought was way too hard. The tomato sauce was perfect though, although it could have done with a little bit more fish sauce. Add a plate of boiled okra and it felt almost like I was at home again.