Mapo Tofu Recipe
This mapo tofu recipe is a popular Chinese dish from the Sichuan province of tofu and pork or beef stir fried in a spicy chili-bean sauce.
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tofu cut into small cubes (use 1 pack, firm
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil divided (or use chili oil)
- 8 ounces ground pork or use ground beef
- 3 tablespoons doubanjiang Chinese chili-bean paste
- 1-2 hot peppers chopped
- 4 green onions chopped (white and green parts)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder optional
- 1/2 cup chicken stock or more, as desired
- 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch plus 2 tablespoons water
FOR SERVING
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn crushed or ground
- chili flakes spicy
- green onion chopped, or scallions or other chopped fresh herbs
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the cubed tofu and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- While the tofu is blanching, heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Cook the pork for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate or bowl and set aside.
- Heat the remaining peanut oil in the pan or wok. Add the doubanjiang and stir. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the hot peppers, green onions, garlic, ginger and Chinese 5 Spice (if using). Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Stir in the the chicken stock and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the tofu and reserved pork and simmer another 5 minutes.
- Stir the cornstarch with the water to form a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce and gently stir. The sauce will thicken up quickly.
- Sprinkle with ground Sichuan peppercorn to taste, drizzle with sesame oil, and garnish with scallions and extra chili flakes. Serve the mapo tofu over steamed rice, if desired.
Notes
- Calories estimates without steamed rice.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 391
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 391kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 748mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 326mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 241IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 170mg | 17% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.