Szechuan Spicy Mapo Tofu
Are you a fan of spicy food? Do you love Chinese cuisine? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then you're in for a treat. The Szechuan spicy mapo tofu is a classic dish from the Sichuan province in China that is loved by people all over the world. The dish is known for its spicy and pungent flavor, and it is sure to satisfy anyone who loves a good kick of heat in their food. In this article, we'll be sharing a recipe for this mouth-watering dish so that you can enjoy it at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 block of firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup of ground beef
- 1 tablespoon of Szechuan peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon of chili paste
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water
- 1 tablespoon of green onions, chopped
Instructions:
- Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
- In a wok or large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks with a spatula.
- Add the Szechuan peppercorns and chili paste to the pan and cook for another minute.
- Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sugar to the pan and stir to combine.
- Add the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and add the tofu to the pan, being careful not to break it up.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan and stir gently to thicken the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the tofu is heated through.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot with rice.
Tips:
- If you can't find Szechuan peppercorns, you can use regular black peppercorns as a substitute.
- For a milder version of this dish, you can reduce the amount of chili paste used.
- This dish is best enjoyed with steamed white rice to help balance out the spiciness of the sauce.
