Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)

7m
Serves 1
youtube.com

Directions

  1. 1Toast Sichuan peppercorns on medium-low heat until fragrant and they leave tiny oil splatches in the wok.
  2. 2Grind the toasted Sichuan peppercorns using a mortar and pestle.
  3. 3Crush garlic cloves to remove skins more easily, then mince.
  4. 4Mince chili bean paste.
  5. 5Gently simmer tofu in salt water to remove moisture, grassy taste and lightly season it.
  6. 6Stir-fry the pork mince in Sichuan Za’jiao oil using the hot pot cool oil method over medium-high heat.
  7. 7Add chili bean paste and continue frying until the oil has an obvious red color.
  8. 8Add garlic and Guizhou chili powder and fry for a minute.
  9. 9Add stock and simmer while seasoning with soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and sugar.
  10. 10Add strained tofu cubes and simmer until the liquid is reduced to a sauce consistency, stirring gently.
  11. 11Add the ground Sichuan pepper and dark vinegar.
  12. 12Thicken with a cornstarch slurry.
  13. 13Add sesame oil and stir.
  14. 14Garnish with green onions and serve.

Ingredients

  • 0.5 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1.5 tablespoons Chili bean paste (豆瓣醬)
  • 35 g pork mince
  • 0.75 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon concentrate
  • 230 g soft tofu
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Sichuan Za’jiao (辣椒油)
  • 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Shaoxing (料酒)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Guizhou chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 0.5 teaspoon dark vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 handful green onions

Equipment

mortar and pestlewokknifecutting boardspoonspatulapot