Craving for a delectable and easy-to-make dish? Look no further! "Ma Po Tofu from Cooking Light" offers a simplified version of the classic Sichuan dish. This tantalizing recipe transforms simple ingredients like silken tofu, ground pork, and fermented bean paste into a flavor-packed meal. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
MAPO TOFU RECIPE
Famous Mapo Tofu Recipe From Sichuan Cuisine. Recipe video below.
Provided by Elaine
Categories Main Course
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Add a small pinch of salt and ground pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Cut tofu into square cubes (around 2cms). Bring a large amount of water to a boil and then add a pinch of salt. Slide the tofu in and cook for 1 minute. Move out and drain. This helps to remove the raw soy flavor form tofu.
- Get a wok and heat up around 2 tablespoons of oil, fry the minced meat until crispy. Transfer out and leave the oil in.
- Add another 1 tablespoon of vegetable cooking oil and fry doubanjiang for 1 minute over slow fire until the red turns red (bring us a lovely red color dish) and add fermented black beans, garlic, scallion white and ginger, cook for 30 seconds until aroma. Optionally mix pepper flakes in. Pepper flakes should be added at the end because it contains little water and can be burnt easily.
- Pour in water or stock. Add light soy sauce, sugar and half of the cooked beef (providing more flavors to the soup) after the broth boils and let it continue simmering for 2-3 minutes. Place the tofu in, simmer for another 6-8 minutes. The longer time of simmering helps the tofu to absorb the flavors.
- During the process of simmering, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2.5 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to make water starch. Stir the water starch and then pour half of the mixture to the simmering pot. Back push and wait for around 30 seconds and then pour the other half. You can slightly taste the tofu and add pinch of salt if not salty enough. Add cooked beef to creates some crispy texture and then drizzle sesame oil. Mix well.
- Transfer out when almost all the seasonings stick to tofu cubes. Sprinkle Szechuan peppercorn powder (to taste)and chopped garlic greens if using.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 501 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 22 g, Fat 35 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 1072 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MAPO TOFU
Even if you're not keen on tofu, give this mapo tofu a go. It's hot and really strongly flavoured thanks to chilli bean paste, fermented black beans and more
Provided by Diana Henry
Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Get all the ingredients ready before you start cooking and set them out in bowls. Drain the tofu and cut it into 1.5cm cubes. Put it in a bowl and cover with very hot water. Leave this while you get on with everything else.
- Heat a wok and pour in the groundnut oil. Get this really hot and fry the pork until it's crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon but leave the oil behind.
- Add the bean paste and cook, stirring for a few mins until fragrant, then add the black beans, ginger and garlic. Cook, stirring, for a min or so, then add the stock and let it bubble away.
- Stir the cornflour and water into the mixture in the wok, drain the tofu and stir it into the sauce. Tip in the spring onions and the mince.
- Add the chilli oil, if using, and sprinkle over the Sichuan peppercorns. The sauce shouldn't need seasoning with salt, as many of the ingredients are salty already. Serve with boiled white rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 310 calories, Fat 21 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 6 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 22 grams protein, Sodium 1 milligram of sodium
MAPO TOFU
I went to China for the first time in 2019 and spent a week in Chengdu, where Mapo Tofu is a speciality. I fell in love with all the Sichuan flavors and recreated this dish in a vegan version. Usually there is fried ground pork or beef in the chili oil over tofu, but in this case I used millet and shiitake mushrooms to create that texture. The Sichuan peppercorns, along with doubanjiang (fermented broad bean and chili paste), are essential to the recipe. You can find them in Chinese markets or online.
Provided by Next Iron Chef All Star: Elizabeth Falkner
Categories main-dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bring a pot of water to a boil and set up a bowl of ice water.
- Cook the gai lan in the boiling water, 3 minutes, then plunge into the ice water to cool. Drain and pat dry.
- Add 2 tablespoons peanut oil and the shiitake mushrooms to a 12-inch cast-iron pan and stir to coat the mushrooms. Put the pan into the oven and roast, stirring as needed, until slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and allow to cool slightly before roughly chopping. Set aside until ready to use.
- Heat a medium saucepan on medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the peanut oil. Add the millet and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add half of the chives to sweat for a minute. Add 1 tablespoon doubanjiang and 3 cups water. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes. (Add more water if it is cooked out and the millet is too al dente).
- Meanwhile, in a wok or wide saucepan, add 2 tablespoons peanut oil. Add the remaining 1/2 cup chives, along with the ginger and garlic, and cook for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and stir to combine. Add the Shaoxing, dark soy sauce, sugar and remaining tablespoon doubanjiang and continue to cook until heated through, adding a little water if it becomes too dry.
- Combine the two mixtures together and add the Sichuan peppercorns and soy sauce to season. Spoon into a serving bowl and top with the tofu, chile oil and gai lan. Garnish with the peanuts, crispy shallots, cilantro and more chives. Add a pinch of ground Sichuan peppercorns over the top.
MAPO TOFU
You can order mapo tofu from many Chinese restaurants, but it's also quite doable at home. You can find the pivotal fermented chile and broad (fava) bean sauce or paste called doubanjiang (sometimes rendered as "toban djan") at a Chinese market. Look for a doubanjiang from Pixian, in Sichuan, and bear in mind that oilier versions have extra heat but may lack an earthy depth. Sichuan peppercorns add mala - tingly zing - and fermented black beans, called douchi, lend this dish a kick of umami. Ground beef is traditional, but many cooks choose pork; you can also try lamb, turkey thigh or a plant-based meat alternatives. Add chile flakes for extra fire, and balance mapo's intensity with rice and steamed or stir-fried broccoli.
Provided by Andrea Nguyen
Categories dinner, lunch, weeknight, grains and rice, meat, one pot, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings (about 4 cups)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Prepare the tofu: Cut the tofu into 3/4-inch cubes and put into a bowl. Bring a kettle of water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and when the boiling subsides, pour hot water over the tofu to cover. Set aside for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large (14-inch) wok or (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, toast the peppercorns for 2 to 3 minutes, until super fragrant and slightly darkened. (A wisp of smoke is normal.) Let cool briefly, then pound with a mortar and pestle, or pulse in a spice grinder.
- Set a strainer over a measuring cup, then add the tofu to drain; reserve 1 1/2 cups of the soaking water, discarding the rest. Set the tofu and reserved soaking water near the stove with the peppercorns and other prepped ingredients for swift cooking.
- Reheat the wok or skillet over high. When hot - you can flick water in and it should sizzle and evaporate within seconds - swirl in the oil to evenly coat, then add the meat. Stir and mash into cooked and crumbly pieces, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add 2 1/2 tablespoons doubanjiang, the douchi (if using), ginger and red-pepper flakes (if using). Cook about 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until things are vivid reddish brown. Add the soy sauce and sugar, stir to combine, then add the tofu. Gently stir or shake the pan to combine the ingredients without breaking up the tofu much.
- Add the reserved 1 1/2 cups soaking water, bring to a vigorous simmer, and cook for about 3 minutes, agitating the pan occasionally, to let the tofu absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Slightly lower the heat and taste the sauce. If needed, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of doubanjiang for heat, a pinch of salt for savoriness, or a sprinkle of sugar to tame heat.
- Add the scallions and stir to combine. Stir in the cornstarch slurry, then stir in enough to the mapo tofu to thicken to a soupy rather than a gravy-like finish. Sprinkle in the ground peppercorns, give the mixture one last stir to incorporate, then transfer to a shallow bowl. Serve immediately with lots of hot rice.
MAPO TOFU RECIPE BY TASTY
Mapo tofu is the perfect dish to add to your weekly routine. It's savory and spicy (and happens to be vegetarian!).
Provided by Aleya Zenieris
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Fill a small pot with water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the shiitake mushrooms. Soak for 30 minutes, until completely rehydrated. Remove the mushrooms from the water and reserve the soaking liquid. Coarsely chop the rehydrated mushrooms.
- Dice the tomatoes and green bell pepper. Stem and chop the white button mushrooms.
- In a small bowl, combine the chili garlic paste, black bean with garlic sauce, bean paste, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sugar. Stir until smooth.
- Dice the tofu into 1-inch (2 ½ cm) cubes.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the rehydrated shiitake and button mushrooms, bell pepper, and tomato and cook until the pepper and mushrooms have softened slightly, 1-2 minutes.
- Add the sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, until fully combined and fragrant.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and ½ cup (75 G) of the reserved mushroom soaking water until the cornstarch dissolves.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tofu and cook until heated through, 2-3 minutes more.
- Serve immediately over cooked white rice.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172 calories, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 10 grams, Sugar 6 grams
MA PO TOFU
Spicy Tofu and Ground Pork. This is an adaptation of recipe #78452 by Daydream. I couldn't find many of the items so I improvised. It is essential that you prep everything before starting this recipe, it goes fast once you get started.
Provided by Teddys Mommy
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place 1 tablespoon of the chopped ginger into a large zip-lock bag, and reserve the remainder.
- Add the remaining marinade ingredients to the bowl (1 sliced green onion, 1 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons dry sherry, 2 teaspoons cornstarch), and mix well.
- Add the ground pork, mix marinade and ground pork together, and put in refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove hard stems from Shiitake mushrooms and slice finely.
- Blanch the tofu in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain.
- Combine the garlic with the reserved ginger, and process together with a stick blender or spice grinder until they form a thick paste.
- Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the Sesame and Olive Oil (2 tbsp sesame, 1 tbsp olive) and just as it is starting to smoke, add the garlic/ginger pasted and stir-fry, stirring continuously for approximately 30 seconds (take care not to burn the mixture).
- Next add the Black Bean Hot Sauce, Szechwan Stir Fry Sauce, Chili Oil, Shiitake mushrooms, and stir-fry for approximately 60 seconds.
- Stir meat mixture, add it to the skillet, and continue to stir-fry over high heat for two to three minutes, until it looses its pinkish color.
- Toss in the tofu and the sliced green onions and continue to fry for about 45 seconds.
- Pour in the soy sauce and water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to moderate and cook for a couple of minutes.
- If there appears to be too much liquid in the pan contents, thicken with a little cornstarch and water.
- Serve with steamed rice.
MA PO TOFU ON RICE
Combine ground pork, tofu, and a spicy sauce and it will make a tofu-hater a believer--just ask my husband! Enjoy.
Provided by AFWIFE2004
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Ground Pork Recipes
Time 41m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cut tofu into 4 slices. Place tofu between 2 paper towels. Let stand until paper towels have absorbed much of the liquid, about 10 minutes. Drain and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Whisk chicken broth, chile-garlic sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch, and black bean sauce together in a bowl.
- Heat a wok or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pork; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the broth mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer sauce until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Toss cubed tofu into the sauce; simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in green onions. Spoon ma po tofu over hot rice. Season with black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 503.2 calories, Carbohydrate 52.5 g, Cholesterol 36.7 mg, Fat 18.3 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 33.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 1041 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
MA PO TOFU (FROM COOKING LIGHT)
Tried this the other day and loved it! If you use a couple of 8 oz. packages of diced tofu, found in the produce section of your grocery store, and bottled minced ginger, this goes together in no time. A rice cooker does a great job with brown rice, too, and will keep the rice warm until serving. A quick, healthy dish from Cooking Light.
Provided by LonghornMama
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place tofu slices on several layers of paper towels, cover with additional paper towels. Place a dinner plate on top of covered tofu; let stand 30 minutes. Remove plate, discard paper towels. Cut tofu slices into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Combine broth, cornstarch, soy sauce, oyster sauce and chili garlic sauce, stirring with a whisk.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork; cook 4 minutes or until done, stirring to crumble. Add ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add tofu; cook 4 minutes or until golden, stirring frequently. Add broth mixture to pan. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
- Serve tofu mixture over rice. Sprinkle with onions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 204.3, Fat 7, SaturatedFat 2.4, Cholesterol 20.4, Sodium 412.5, Carbohydrate 27, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 0.7, Protein 8.1
Tips
- To prepare tofu properly, drain it well and press it between two plates to remove excess moisture. This will help the tofu absorb the flavors of the marinade. - Use a large skillet or wok to cook the tofu. This will allow you to easily stir-fry the tofu and prevent it from sticking to the pan. - Cook the tofu over medium-high heat. This will help to brown the tofu and give it a crispy texture. - Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet or wok with tofu. This will prevent the tofu from cooking evenly. - Stir-fry the tofu until it is golden brown on all sides. This will take about 5-7 minutes per side. - Add the sauce to the skillet or wok and stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will allow the sauce to thicken and coat the tofu. - Serve the mapo tofu over rice or noodles. You can also garnish it with chopped green onions or cilantro.Conclusion
Mapo tofu is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. By following these tips, you can make sure that your mapo tofu turns out perfect every time. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love