Basic Mapo Tofu
This is a classic spicy Mapo Tofu that goes perfectly with rice. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth texture with silken tofu. The ingredients are kept simple for easy home cooking.
Cooking Steps
- 1
Cut silken tofu into 2cm cubes and drain lightly in a colander. Mince the green onion, ginger, and garlic separately. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sake, sugar, and chicken stock.
Advice: Tofu is fragile, so handle it gently. Lightly draining the water helps it absorb flavor better.
IngredientsSilken tofu 1blockGreen onion 1/4stalkGinger 10gGarlic 1cloveSoy sauce 1tbspSake 1tbspSugar 1tspChicken stock 200ml - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan, add minced ginger and garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant.
Advice: The key is to gently bring out the aroma over medium-low heat without burning them.
IngredientsVegetable oil 1tbspGinger 10gGarlic 1clove - 3
Add ground pork and stir-fry until it changes color. Then add doubanjiang and the Tianmianjiang substitute (1 tbsp miso, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp soy sauce), and continue to stir-fry until fragrant.
Advice: Thoroughly stir-frying doubanjiang and Tianmianjiang (substitute) creates a fragrant and deep umami flavor.
IngredientsGround pork 150gDoubanjiang 1tbspMiso 1tbspSugar 1tspSoy sauce 1tsp - 4
Add the seasoning mixture prepared in Step 1 and bring to a simmer. Gently add the tofu and simmer over low heat for about 3 minutes, spooning the sauce over it.
Advice: Once tofu is added, avoid stirring too much. Instead, spoon the sauce over it while simmering to prevent it from breaking. Handle gently.
⏱ Simmer 3 minIngredientsSilken tofu 1blockSoy sauce 1tbspSake 1tbspSugar 1tspChicken stock 200ml - 5
In a separate bowl, mix water and potato starch to make a cornstarch slurry. Turn off the heat, then slowly pour it in while mixing well. Turn the heat back to low and continue stirring for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens.
Advice: Turning off the heat once helps prevent the cornstarch from clumping. Mix well and then reheat to achieve a smooth, thick consistency.
⏱ Heat 1 minIngredientsWater 2tbspPotato starch 1tbsp - 6
Finally, drizzle in sesame oil and add the minced green onion (for garnish), mixing lightly. Serve in a bowl and sprinkle with Sichuan pepper powder if desired. Enjoy!
Advice: Sesame oil is for aroma, so adding it at the end enhances its fragrance. Adjust the amount of Sichuan pepper powder to your preference.
IngredientsSesame oil 1tspGreen onion 1/4stalkSichuan pepper powder 1/2tsp
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