Mapo Tofu is a famous and loved traditional Chinese dish from the Sichuan region. The dish is full of bold and spicy flavors and is made with silken tofu, minced pork, fermented black beans, Sichuan peppercorns, and Doubanjiang chili broad bean paste, among other ingredients. To make this dish, you need to soak the tofu cubes and fry minced garlic, black beans, and peppercorns in vegetable oil. Add minced pork and chili paste and stir in vegetable stock and soy sauce before adding the soaked tofu cubes. Cook for a few minutes and add a cornflour slurry to thicken the sauce before serving hot with rice.
The Spicy Flavors of Sichuan: Exploring Mapo Tofu in Chengdu, China
Introduction
Sichuan cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors that can be found throughout Chengdu, China. Among the many dishes, Mapo Tofu is one of the most famous, a dish that is loved by locals and visitors alike. The dish is packed with flavor, and has a numbing heat from Sichuan peppercorns.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need:
- 1 block of silken tofu
- 100g minced pork
- 1 tablespoon of fermented black beans
- 2 tablespoons of Doubanjiang (chili broad bean paste)
- 1 tablespoon of Sichuan peppercorns
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of chicken stock
- 1-2 chopped scallions (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Cut the silken tofu into small cubes and soak them in boiling water for around 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, take them out and set them aside.
2. Take a pan and heat the vegetable oil in it. Add minced garlic, fermented black beans, and Sichuan peppercorns. Fry for a minute or two until they release their aromas.
3. Add minced pork and fry until it becomes golden brown. Be sure to break any larger clumps with a spatula.
4. Add the Doubanjiang chili broad bean paste and stir in for a minute, make sure it well-tossed with the pork.
5. Add the vegetable stock, and stir well.
6. Add in soy sauce and let it cook for around 2 minutes.
7. Stir in the soaked tofu cubes and let them cook for a couple of minutes until they become nice and soft.
8. Mix cornflour with a tablespoon of water to make a slurry and add it to the pan. This will help to thicken the sauce.
9. Once you’ve added the cornflour slurry, let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
10. Turn off the heat and add the chopped scallions to it.
11. Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy the lip-smacking flavors of Mapo Tofu!
Conclusion
If you are looking for an authentic Chinese dish that is full of flavor, then Mapo Tofu is a must-try. This spicy and numbing dish is a classic Sichuan delicacy that is loved by people all over the world. Follow this easy step-by-step recipe and enjoy the delicious taste of Mapo Tofu right in your own kitchen.