Chinese cuisine
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Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu
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Mapo Tofu is a popular Chinese dish from Sichuan Province. Mapo tofu is cooked in a traditional way that is fresh and fragrant, and serves a numbingly spicy, yet tender, flavor.

Recipe
PRE TIME: 10 min
COOKING TIME: 15 min
TOTAL TIME: 25 min
2 SERVING
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. Tofu
  • 3 oz. Beef, minced
  • 2 oz. Leeks
  • 1 cup Chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp. Fermented black soybeans (a.k.a. douchi)
  • 1 tbsp. Soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp. Pixian spicy broad bean paste
  • 1 tbsp. Chili powder
  • 1 tsp. Fermented black soybeans (a.k.a. douchi)
  • 1/4 tsp. Salt (to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp. Ground Sichuan pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tsp. Water + starch slurry (i.e., a mixture of equal parts water and starch)
Directions:
Step 1
Step 1
1
Dice the tofu into ½-inch cubes. Transfer into a bowl of cold water.
Step 2
Step 2
2
Mince the beef.
Step 3
Step 3
3
Cut leeks into 1-inch slices.
Step 4
Step 4
4
Add tofu and water into a 12-inch pot; season with a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Then, lift out tofu and transfer to a bowl. (The tofu will become even more creamy and supple while retaining its shape.)
Step 5
Step 5
5
In a wok over high heat, add cooking oil. When the oil is hot, add minced beef and stir-fry until it is no longer pink. Add ½ tbsp/8 ml soy sauce. Mix well. Remove from wok and set aside.
Step 6
Step 6
6
Return the wok to medium heat, add cooking oil, Pixian spicy broad bean paste, and chili powder. Stir-fry until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth. Add tofu, minced beef, 1 tbsp/10 g fermented soybean, and ½ tbsp/8 ml soy sauce. Turn heat to high, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium and cook for 3-5 minutes. Then add leek slices and slurry to thicken the sauce until it clings glossily to the meat and tofu.
Step 7
Step 7
7
Pour everything into a deep bowl; sprinkle with ground Sichuan pepper.
Step 8
Step 8
8
Enjoy!
Final Notes
Final Notes
① When cooking tofu, gently push back and forth using a spatula to prevent the tofu cubes from breaking. ② When thickening the sauce, gradually add the slurry in small increments.
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