Lemon-Pepper Piedmont Mapo

Method

1. Gather and prep everything first: soy sauce, sesame oil, fresh ginger and set within reach of the stove.
2. Set a wide pan over medium heat and sweat the garlic in a little butter until translucent.
3. Turn the heat up, add the mapo, and cook until deeply browned and aromatic.
4. Fold in the sesame oil and season generously; give everything a minute to come together.
5. Add the crushed tomatoes and let it reduce until it just coats the back of a spoon.
6. Off the heat, brighten it up with a squeeze of lemon and a final crack of pepper.
7. Serve warm, ideally with something to soak up the sauce.