· Recipe · 3 min read
Spice Up Your Kitchen: Easy & Delicious Mapo Tofu!
Hey folks, are you ready to spice up your cooking? Mapo Tofu is a beloved Sichuan dish that’s flavorful and easy to make! This recipe features tender tofu, minced meat, and a rich sauce made from bean paste, chili powder, and spices.
Ingredients:
• Tofu: 1 piece (tender, cut into small cubes)
• Lean Meat: 1 small piece (chopped)
• Ginger: A small piece (finely chopped)
• Garlic: 2 cloves (flattened and chopped)
• Scallion: A few sections (cut into small pieces)
• Garlic Leaves: A little (set aside)
• Bean Paste: 1 spoonful (chopped with fermented black beans)
• Chili Powder: 1 spoonful (or chili oil)
• Water, Salt, White Sugar, Light Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil: As needed
Instructions:
1. Prepare Ingredients: Cut the tofu into cubes and place it on a plate. Chop the lean meat and set it aside.
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2. Chop Aromatics: Finely chop ginger, garlic, and scallion. Could you set them aside with the garlic leaves?
3. Blanch Tofu: Boil cold water and a pinch of salt in a pot. Add the tofu and blanch it. This removes the bean smell and firms it up. Remove the tofu and set it aside.
4. Cook the Meat: Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry the minced meat until fragrant. Add ginger, garlic, scallions, and a splash of cooking wine. Stir well!
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5. Add Paste: Mix the chopped bean paste and fermented black beans, stir-frying until the oil turns red.
6. Season: Pour in water, a bit of sugar, light and dark soy sauce, and boil. Then, could you add chili powder or oil?
7. Combine Tofu: Add the blanched tofu and let it cook for 5-6 minutes to absorb the flavors.
8. Thicken Sauce: When the soup is nearly gone, gradually add water starch in three batches, stirring each time.
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9. Finish Up: Add sesame oil and garlic leaves, stir-fry briefly, then serve!
10. Garnish: Sprinkle some pepper powder for an extra kick!
Tips:
• Blanch the tofu first.
• Chop the bean paste and fermented black beans together.
