Mapo Tofu Recipe

Authentic famous Sichuan -style Mapo Tofu recipe made with minced meat, tender tofu, and savoury spicy mapo sauce. Serve it with a bowl of plain rice or noodles for a complete dinner. It's easier and tastier than restaurant!

📝 Ingredients

• 200 gram Tofu block (Firm or medium-firm tofu ( About 7 oz ) )
• 200 gram Chicken mince (Or beef, pork, or turkey mince (About 7 oz ))
• 2 tbsp Garlic (Finely chopped)
• 2 tsp Ginger (Finely chopped or grated)
• 2-3 Spring onions (Cut thin slices)
• 1/2 cup Water (Warm water/ low-sodium chicken stock ( add more if needed ))
• 3 tbsp Oil (Vegetable or neutral flavour oil)
• 1 tsp Corn starch (( mixed it with 2 tbsp of water ))
• 1 tbsp Light soy sauce (( or all-purpose soy sauce ))
• 1 tbsp Shao Xing wine (Chinese cooking rice wine or mirin )
• 1 tbsp Chilli powder (Or paprika powder)
• 1 tbsp Crushed chillies (dried crushed chilli flakes )
• 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns (Crushed or grinded )
• 1 tbsp Fermented black beans (Douchi ( see details in note ))
• 2-3 tbsp Chilli bean paste (La Doubanjiang ( see details in note ))
• 2 tsp Sugar (( optional ))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Prepare and gather the ingredients, before you heat the wok. First, heat the wok/pan over medium heat, drizzle oil and saute the garlic and ginger for a few seconds until fragrant.
2. 2Next, add the fermented black beans and follow with the crushed chillies and Sichuan peppercorns. Cook for a few seconds until fragrant. Stir in chilli powder and chilli bean paste.
3. 3Place the minced meat and stir fry everything well until the meat is dry and crisp up.
4. 4Then pour the warm water in and bring it to simmer. Season the dish with soy sauce, Shao Xing wine, and sugar.
5. 5Now add the tofu cubes and stir it gently to combine well with the sauce. Continue cook with low medium heat for another 10 minutes or until the tofu is cooked through.
6. 6Add cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir it gently. Once the sauce starts to get thicken, turn off the heat and finish with chopped spring onions.
7. 7Serve immediately while hot with plain rice or noodles.