Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)
Mapo Tofu, one of the most iconic dishes in Sichuan cuisine is spicy, numbing, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Tofu:
- 400 g firm tofu cut into cubes
- Boiling water for blanching
For the Meat Mixture:
- 200 g ground pork or beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns ground
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons doubanjiang spicy bean paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
For Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger minced
- 2 green onions finely chopped
For Garnish:
- Additional chopped green onions
- A sprinkle of ground Sichuan peppercorns
Instructions
Blanch the Tofu:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the tofu cubes for 2-3 minutes. This helps firm them up and remove any raw taste. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Mixture:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork or beef and stir-fry until browned.
- Stir in the ground Sichuan peppercorns and cook for an additional minute. Remove the meat mixture from the pan and set aside.
Cook the Aromatics:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if necessary and sauté the minced garlic and ginger until fragrant.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Add the doubanjiang to the pan with the garlic and ginger. Stir well to combine.
- Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chicken or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer.
Combine Everything:
- Add the blanched tofu and cooked meat mixture to the sauce in the pan.
- Gently stir to combine, making sure the tofu is well-coated with the sauce.
Thicken the Sauce:
- Stir the cornstarch-water mixture and then add it to the pan.
- Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Final Touches:
- Stir in the finely chopped green onions.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with additional green onions and a sprinkle of ground Sichuan peppercorns.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve immediately with steamed rice and enjoy your very own homemade Mapo Tofu!
