Mai Leung is the one to go by. Her recipes are simply wonderful ! Easy to understand, easy to follow, clear and concise and the results...hmmmmm ! I've been using the old Mai Leung book for 30 years !!! EEEE GADDS !!!! I'm shocked I've been cooking Szechuan for so many years ! I started young, very very young ! As per tofu, I always buy mine at the Asian grocery store where is tends to be the freshest and the best. Do you stir fry ? And you are so right about eating...it is a true dilema these days trying not to eat too many animals, never eating veal, trying to be vegan or vegetarian at the very least, falling for a steak....organic, farm raised, no hormones, oy......maybe I should just eat what's served !