Le Malis remains one of the best-known establishments for lovers of local cuisine adapted to today’s trends, and is also the number 1 destination for tourists keen to discover Khmer delicacies. But there’s more: Malis also offers meat-free dishes, an ideal option for vegans and vegetarians, but also for those who prefer a lightweight lunch as the warmer months approach.
One fresh, vitamin-packed dish caught our eye: tofu with ginger and Kampot pepper, three components emblematic of the country’s wealth of plants and condiments, which are also full of health benefits.
Tofu
Perfect for vegans or simply those who want to enjoy the benefits of this soya milk ‘cheese’, tofu will delight many because its neutral taste means it can be easily incorporated into a sweet or savoury dish.
Tofu has been eaten for over 2,000 years in China, where it is known as ‘Doufu’. Made from soya milk, it comes in two textures: ‘firm’ when drained and pressed to extract the milk, and ‘silky’, with a consistency akin to cottage cheese, and very rich in essential nutrients.
As far as its virtues are concerned, tofu contains virtually all the B group vitamins, which are essential for the proper functioning of the immune and nervous systems. It also provides vitamin A, which is essential for children’s vision and growth, stimulates the immune system and helps maintain the integrity of the skin, as well as vitamin E, which, thanks to its antioxidant properties, helps protect the body’s cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, particularly by helping to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Ginger
Written records of the use of ginger date back more than 3,500 years, but it seems that its qualities have been known for more than 5,000 years… It is known to fight infections, fatigue, muscular pains and, above all, digestive problems. Ginger also has aphrodisiac, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Pepper
Kampo pepper is renowned for its exceptional flavour. What is less well known is that it also has a few therapeutic virtues. First and foremost, pepper is a digestive stimulant, promoting the production of gastric juices. This spice contains piperine, which stimulates the production of endorphins (and thus fights depression) as well as melanocytes to treat vitiligo. A febrifuge, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, pepper can also be used to treat fevers, dental pain and rheumatism.
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