Mapo Tofu

Directions

  1. 1Heat the vegetable oil in a deep saucepan or wok over medium heat.
  2. 2Add the minced garlic and ginger, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. 3Turn up the heat and add the pork mince, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula.
  4. 4Cook until golden brown, about 6–8 minutes.
  5. 5Stir in the ground Sichuan pepper, Chinese five spice, and spicy bean sauce and cook for 1 minute.
  6. 6Pour in the chicken stock and stir for 2–3 minutes.
  7. 7Reduce the heat to medium and add the cornstarch slurry while stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
  8. 8Gently add the silken tofu and chili oil, tossing carefully to coat.
  9. 9Let it cook for 5 minutes, then stir in the sesame oil, caster sugar, and half the sliced spring onions.
  10. 10Serve immediately with steamed rice, garnished with the remaining spring onions.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 200 g pork mince
  • 1 tsp ground Sichuan pepper
  • 0.5 tsp Chinese five spice
  • 2 tbsp spicy bean sauce
  • 0.66 cup chicken stock
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 600 g silken tofu, cut into cubes
  • 0.25 cup chili oil
  • 0.5 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp caster sugar
  • 2 spring onions, sliced

Equipment

deep saucepanwokwooden spoonspatulabowl

Tips

  • Sichuan pepper and spicy bean sauce (Doubanjang) can be found at most Asian grocers.
  • Adjust caster sugar to taste