Sichuan Mapo Tofu

Method

1. 01

   Step 1

   Finely chop the Pixian chili bean paste with a knife.

   

2. 02

   Step 2

   Finely chop the fermented black beans with a knife.

   

3. 03

   Step 3

   Cut the green garlic into 1 cm sections, mix the starch with water to make a starch slurry, mince the ginger, and prepare the remaining ingredients.

   

4. 04

   Step 4

   Add 5 of light soy sauce and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch to the ground beef, mix well and marinate 15 minutes.

   

5. 05

   Step 5

   Cut the tofu into cubes about 1.5 cm in size.

   

6. 06

   Step 6

   Add water to a pot, add 1 spoonful of salt, and bring to a boil until small bubbles appear but not fully boiling. Add diced tofu and simmer over medium-low heat for 5 6 (do not let the water boil throughout the process).

   

7. 07

   Step 7

   Take a large container, pour in the blanched tofu along with the broth, and set aside.

   

8. 08

   Step 8

   Heat a pan, add peanut oil, and stir-fry the minced beef until it's cooked through.

   

9. 09

   Step 9

   Add cooking wine, stir-fry over high heat to dissipate the wine flavor and dry out the moisture.

   

10. 10

    Step 10

    Add minced ginger and stir-fry until fragrant.

    

11. 11

    Step 11

    The fermented broad bean paste from Xiapi County is stir-fried until it releases red oil.

    

12. 12

    Step 12

    Stir-fry the fermented black beans until fragrant.

    

13. 13

    Step 13

    Add chili powder and stir-fry until fragrant.

    

14. 14

    Step 14

    Add broth or water.

    

15. 15

    Step 15

    Bring the soup to a boil, taste it, and adjust the saltiness with light soy sauce or salt.

    

16. 16

    Step 16

    Add diced tofu and bring to a boil over medium heat.

    

17. 17

    Step 17

    Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 8 10 .

    

18. 18

    Step 18

    Thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry, sprinkle with green garlic leaves, and shake and toss to mix evenly (you can also use the back of a spoon to push, but never use a spatula to flip it directly).

    

19. 19

    Step 19

    Once cooked, plate it and sprinkle with Sichuan peppercorn powder.