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Mapo Tofu Recipe

Mapo Tofu Recipe

Discover the perfect Mapo Tofu recipe! This spicy, flavorful dish is easy to make and will impress your family and friends.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2.3 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 300g soft or silken tofu, cut into cubes
  • 150g minced pork or beef
  • 2 tbsp doubanjiang (chilli bean paste)
  • 1 tbsp fermented black beans (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
  • 1 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 150ml chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prep the tofu: Cut tofu into 2cm cubes. Blanch them gently in salted hot water for 1–2 minutes to firm them up. Drain carefully.
  2. Toast the peppercorns: Dry-fry Sichuan peppercorns in a pan until fragrant, then grind them coarsely.
  3. Prepare the aromatics: Mince garlic, ginger, and slice spring onions.
Cooking Steps for Perfect Mapo Tofu
  1. Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium heat.
  2. Fry the minced meat until browned and fragrant.
  3. Add doubanjiang and black beans; stir-fry for 30 seconds until the oil turns red and aromatic.
  4. Add garlic, ginger, and half the spring onions. Stir well.
  5. Pour in the stock, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Gently add the tofu cubes, spooning sauce over them without breaking. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  7. Add cornflour slurry to thicken the sauce slightly.
  8. Finish with sesame oil and Sichuan peppercorn powder.
  9. Garnish with the remaining spring onions before serving.