Chef Chen's Authentic Mapo Tofu
Savor the bold and fiery flavors of traditional Mapo Tofu with Chef Chen's authentic recipe. Cubes of tender tofu simmered in a spicy and savory sauce, accompanied by aromatic garlic chives, and finished with a touch of Szechuan peppercorn for a truly exceptional dining experience.
Ingredients
| 16 | ounces tofu, regular, cut into 1-inch cubes |
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| ½ | teaspoon salt |
| water, for parboiling tofu | |
| 3 | ounces ground pork |
| ½ | cup green garlic chives, chopped in ½-inch pieces (nira) |
| 2 | tablespoons vegetable oil |
| 1 | tablespoon Chinese chili bean sauce (toubanjan or doubanjiang) |
| 1 | tablespoon Chinese brown bean sauce (tenmienjan, tenmenjan, or tenmenjiang) |
| 2 | teaspoons fermented black beans, finely chopped |
| ¼-½ | teaspoon ichimi togarashi pepper or Japanese dried red chili pepper, minced |
| 1 | teaspoon chili oil |
| ¾ | cup chicken stock |
| 1 | tablespoon sake or dry sherry |
| 1 | teaspoon soy sauce |
| 1 | teaspoon sesame oil |
| 1 | tablespoon Szechuan peppercorn (optional) |
| 1 | tablespoon cornstarch |
| 1 | tablespoon water |
Instructions
| 1. | Prepare the tofu by cutting it into 1-inch cubes. Parboil the tofu in water with 1/2 teaspoon of salt for 8-10 minutes on medium-high heat. This step ensures the tofu stays intact during cooking. Set aside. |
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| 2. | Create a cornstarch paste by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Set aside. |
| 3. | Heat a wok over high heat for 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, then add the ground pork, stirring to break it apart. |
| 4. | Once the pork is browned, add Chinese brown bean sauce, Chinese chili bean sauce, fermented black beans, and minced dried red chili pepper. Cook for 1 minute. |
| 5. | Incorporate chili oil, drained tofu, chicken stock, garlic chives, soy sauce, and sake. Stir-fry gently for 1-2 minutes. |
| 6. | Thicken the sauce by adding the cornstarch paste and sesame oil. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat. Finish by sprinkling Szechuan peppercorn on top. |
| 7. | Serve the Mapo Tofu alongside steamed white rice for a delectable meal. |
Nutrients
The following values are based on a single serving of this recipe.
| Calories | 147 kcal |
| Protein | 7.9 g |
| Fat | 11.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.7 g |
| Fiber | 0.2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
Published on Jul 31, 2024 by Luminița