4.8 from 12 votes
Spicy Sichuan Boiled Tofu
This Sichuan boiled tofu, or shuǐzhǔ dòufu gān (水煮豆腐干) is an adapted version of Sichuan boiled beef that's vegetarian, vegan, and very tasty!
Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 235 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 10-11 ounces pressed tofu (豆腐干 - dòufu gān; either spiced or plain, cut crosswise into thin strips)
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil (or other neutral oil)
- 1 cup soybean sprouts (trimmed)
- 7 ounces enoki mushrooms (fresh mushrooms; ends trimmed)
- 1 lice ginger (about 2 in/5cm long, and 1/8-inch/3mm thick)
- 2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
- 2 scallions (white parts and green parts separated and chopped)
- 2 tablespoons spicy bean paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch (mixed into a slurry with 1 tablespoon/15 ml water)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced; 1 tablespoon = about 3 to 4 cloves)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried Sichuan chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder
- 1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the tofu slices and blanch them for 30 seconds. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in your wok over high heat. Stir-fry the soybean sprouts for about 2-3 minutes. Add the enoki mushrooms, spreading the mushrooms out in a single layer, and leaving them for about 20 seconds. Then stir-fry until the mushrooms have wilted, 1 minute. Turn off the heat, pick a large heatproof serving bowl with some depth, and spread the bean sprouts and enoki mushrooms around the bottom of the bowl.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the wok over medium-low heat, along with the ginger slice and Sichuan peppercorns. Cook for 3 minutes, until fragrant, then remove the peppercorns and ginger, leaving the oil behind in the wok.
- To the oil, add the white parts of the scallions, the spicy bean paste, and tomato paste. Fry for 1 minute, until the oil is red, then stir in the blanched tofu. Stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Then add the water, sugar, and light soy sauce. Bring to a simmer. Then add the cornstarch slurry. When it’s thickened, add this mixture on top of the mushrooms and bean sprouts.
- Top with the minced garlic, chili flakes, and Sichuan peppercorn powder on top. In a small saucepan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil until it shimmers. Pour hot oil into the garlic, chili, and peppercorn powder; the ingredients should sizzle immediately. Then sprinkle over the green parts of the scallions and the cilantro. Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
235kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
1g
Sodium
452mg
(19%)
Potassium
444mg
(13%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
183IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
51mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 235
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 235kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Sodium | 452mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 444mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 183IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 51mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.