Mapo Tofu
- 30 whole Sichuan Pepercorns
- 1 Tablespoon Tapioca Starch
- 1 package (14 Oz. Size) Soft Tofu, Cubed
- Salt To Taste
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/4 pounds Ground Pork
- 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
- 2 Tablespoons Shaoxing Rice Wine
- 1 teaspoon Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Lao Gan Ma Spice Bean Paste
- 1 pinch Black Pepper
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 whole Green Onion, Chopped
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- Put peppercorns in a skillet over low heat.
- Shake the skillet until fragrant, about 35 minutes.
- Remove from skillet and grind using a mortar and pestle.
- In a small bowl, combine tapioca starch and 1/4 cup water.
- Set aside.
- To a medium saucepan, add enough water for boiling tofu.
- Add a pinch of salt to the water.
- Gently place tofu cubes in the water and cook over medium heat.
- When water comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and boil tofu for 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, drain, and transfer tofu to a plate.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add olive oil and swirl to coat the skillet.
- When oil is hot, add ground pork and stir, breaking pork up.
- When pork turns white and is completely broken up, add minced garlic and stir.
- Add Shaoxing rice wine, dark soy sauce, Lao Gan Ma spice bean paste, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper.
- Stir for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and stir.
- Fold tofu in very gently, being careful not to break it up.
- After it comes to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tapioca starch mixture, slowly adding it with one hand while gently shaking the pan with the other hand.
- Simmer for 2 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
- Add chopped green onion.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a plate.
- Drizzle sesame oil on top and sprinkle ground Sichuan peppercorns over the dish.
- This dish goes well with white or brown rice.
- Enjoy!
pepercorns, tapioca, salt, olive oil, ground pork, garlic, soy sauce, lao gan, black pepper, chicken broth, green onion, sesame oil
Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/mapo-tofu-2/ (may not work)