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Mapo Tofu Delight

Spice up your dinner with authentic Sichuan Mapo Tofu.

4servings
30 min
Intermediate
Weeknight-friendly timingMacros ready to logFeeds a hungry crew
Mapo Tofu Delight

About this recipe

Mapo Tofu Delight is a classic Sichuan dish that combines silky tofu and savory minced meat in a spicy, flavorful sauce. Known for its bold flavors, this dish brings the heat with doubanjiang and a robust broth, making it a compelling centerpiece for dinner. Perfect for spice lovers seeking a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine at home.

Ingredients

  • 1 block firm tofu, cubed
  • 200g minced pork or beef
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons doubanjiang (spicy bean paste)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 green onion, chopped, for garnish

Directions

  1. 1

    Cut the tofu into small cubes and set aside.

  2. 2

    Heat oil in a wok over medium heat and sauté garlic and ginger for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Add minced meat, cook until browned, breaking into small pieces.

  4. 4

    Stir in doubanjiang, soy sauce, and rice wine; cook for 2 more minutes.

  5. 5

    Add tofu to the pan and gently mix with the sauce.

  6. 6

    Pour in broth and bring to a simmer; cook until tofu is heated through.

  7. 7

    Stir in cornstarch mixture; cook until sauce thickens.

  8. 8

    Garnish with green onions and serve hot with steamed rice.

Chef's tip

For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and replace with mushrooms or vegetarian ground meat.

Sources