Ma-Po Tofu

• 1- 1/2 pound Soft Tofu (not Silken), Cut Into 1-inch Cubes
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan Peppercorns (I Used Freshly Cracked Black Pepper)
• 2 Tablespoons Szechuan Chili Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon Chinese Black Bean Paste
• 4 Tablespoons Hoisin Sauce, Divided
• 3/4 Tablespoons Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
• 3 Tablespoons Water
• 1/4 cups Peanut Oil
• 8 ounces, weight Lean Ground Beef
• 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger, Minced
• 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Scallion, White And Green Parts, Thinly Sliced
• 1 whole Medium Leek (white And Pale Green Parts Only), Washed, Halved Lengthwise, And Cut Into 1/2-inch Slices (about 1/2 Cup)
• 1/4 cups Rice Wine
• 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
• 2 Tablespoons Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro, Chopped (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Add tofu, remove from heat, and steep (uncovered) for five minutes.
3. With a slotted spoon, transfer tofu to a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine chili sauce, black bean paste, half the Hoisin sauce, and red pepper flakes.
5. Set aside.
6. In another small bowl, combine cornstarch and water.
7. Set aside.
8. Heat a large saute pan or wok over medium high heat, then add peanut oil until hot.
9. Add beef, ginger, garlic, scallions and leeks, cooking until meat is fully browned (roughly 3-4 minutes).
10. Add rice wine and cook until mostly evaporated (roughly 1-2 minutes).
11. Add hot bean paste mixture and cook until mixture is incorporated (roughly 1 minute).
12. Add tofu, broth, soy sauce and remaining Hoisin sauce and bring to a boil.
13. Whisk cornstarch mixture if it has begun to separate, and add to the pan.
14. Cook for roughly one minute, or until mixture thickens slightly.
15. Serve over hot rice, garnishing with chopped cilantro.
16. Enjoy with unabashed ardor.

silken, sichuan, szechuan chili sauce, chinese black, hoisin sauce, red pepper, cornstarch, water, peanut oil, ground beef, fresh ginger, garlic, scallion, washed, rice wine, chicken broth, soy sauce, fresh cilantro

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/ma-po-tofu/ (may not work)