Mapo Doufu, a classic Sichuan dish, is a captivating culinary symphony of flavors and textures that pays homage to the rich culinary traditions of China. It is a dish that tantalizes the senses with its fiery heat, the savory richness of ground beef, the softness of silken tofu, and the aromatic interplay of spices and herbs. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, yet its popularity has transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, making it a beloved dish enjoyed worldwide.
Let's cook with our 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
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 DOUFU
This is one of those extremely simple recipes that is a staple of its culture, yet it is so difficult to find an authentic recipe. I received this from someone who was born and raised in Sichuan province. Serve with fresh steamed white rice.
Provided by Loving The Alien
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 27m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place red pepper flakes in a small bowl of hot water. Let soak until softened.
- Heat a wok over medium-high heat until very hot; pour in oil. Add peppercorns; toss briefly until aromatic. Add garlic; stir until aromatic, 10 to 15 seconds. Add ground pork; saute until until browned and crumbly, about 2 minutes.
- Mix doubanjiang and red chile flakes into the pork mixture. Let simmer for about 1 minute. Add tofu and water; gently stir to coat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; let simmer until flavors meld, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and toss in green onions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 260.4 calories, Carbohydrate 7.9 g, Cholesterol 18.3 mg, Fat 21 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 12.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 604.3 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
EXTRA TASTY MAPO DOUFU
A spicy tofu and meat dish originating from the Szechuan province of China. After having a wonderful version of it in Beijing I came up with this version of it to fill my craving. Serve over short grain rice.
Provided by fujimama
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 33m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
- Spread Szechuan peppercorns over a baking sheet.
- Bake peppercorns under the preheated broiler until toasted, about 1 minute. Let cool; transfer to a mortar and pestle and crush into medium grinds.
- Heat a wok or saucepan over high heat. Add oil; cook ground pork until mostly browned and crumbly, about 1 minute. Move pork to 1 side of the pan with a spatula. Reduce heat to medium. Add chili bean paste; cook and stir until oil turns red, about 30 seconds. Stir pork into oil.
- Mix black bean sauce and dried chiles into the pork mixture; cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Stir in chicken stock. Add tofu gently; shake pan back and forth until tofu is coated in sauce but not broken, about 2 minutes. Add soy sauce and sugar. Reduce heat to low; let simmer, about 5 minutes.
- Mix cornstarch in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons cold water. Increase heat to medium. Add to the tofu mixture, 1 teaspoon at a time, until sauce is almost as thick as ketchup and clings to the tofu, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in the green onions. Sprinkle toasted peppercorns on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 250.8 calories, Carbohydrate 8.3 g, Cholesterol 36.8 mg, Fat 19.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 13.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 1107.3 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
MAPO DOUFU (SICHUAN TOFU GROUND BEEF IN RED CHILE SAUCE)
Make and share this Mapo Doufu (Sichuan Tofu Ground Beef in Red Chile Sauce) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Member 610488
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Place tofu in a bowl with 3 cups boiling salted water. Let sit 15 minutes. Drain and spread on paper towels to dry; set aside.
- Heat oil in a 14 inch flat-bottomed wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add beef; cook, stirring and breaking up meat, until browned, 4-6 minutes.
- Add chives, chiles, paste, and beans. Cook, stirring, until scallions are wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Add stock and tofu. Bring to a boil, stirring gently, so as not to break up the tofu.
- Add sugar and soy. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. While stirring, slowly add cornstarch mixture. Cook until sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes more.
- Transfer to a dish and garnish with scallions and pepper. Serve with rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 244.8, Fat 11.5, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 31.2, Sodium 402.5, Carbohydrate 17.6, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 5.4, Protein 19
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients prepped and measured. This will help you stay organized and ensure that your dish turns out perfectly.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your Mapo Tofu will taste. Look for firm tofu, fresh ground beef, and crisp vegetables.
- Use a Good Quality郫县豆瓣酱 (Pixian Doubanjiang): This is a key ingredient in Mapo Tofu and it is important to use a good quality one. Look for a brand that is made with non-GMO soybeans and has a deep, rich flavor.
- Don't Overcook the Tofu: Tofu is a delicate ingredient and it can easily be overcooked. Be careful not to cook it for more than a few minutes, or it will become tough and rubbery.
- Serve Mapo Tofu Hot: Mapo Tofu is best served hot and fresh. It can be served with rice, noodles, or steamed buns.
Conclusion:
Mapo Tofu is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With its combination of tender tofu, savory ground beef, and spicy sauce, it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and flavorful meal, give Mapo Tofu a try!
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