Description
This Spicy Mapo Tofu with Pork is a quick and comforting Chinese dish featuring soft tofu and flavorful pork mince simmered in a spicy, aromatic sauce made with Douban Jiang, garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it delivers a perfect balance of heat, umami, and a hint of tanginess, served best over steamed rice to soak up all the delicious flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Douban Jiang (Spicy fermented chili bean paste)
- 1 tsp Chili Powder (Or to taste)
- 1 cup Chicken Stock
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Vinegar
- 2 tsp Cornflour (Mixed with 2 tsp water)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Sichuan Peppercorns (Ground)
Aromatics
- 3 cloves Garlic (Finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Ginger (Finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp Spring Onion/Scallions (Finely sliced)
Main Ingredients
- 380 g Soft Tofu
- 100 g Pork Mince
Serving
- 1 serving Steamed Rice (To soak up the flavors)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Finely chop the garlic, ginger, and spring onions. Cut the soft tofu into cubes and set aside to gently drain any excess moisture.
- Cook Pork: Heat a skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil. Add the pork mince and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Add chopped garlic and ginger to the pork, stirring for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then add the Douban Jiang, chili powder, and ground Sichuan peppercorns, cooking for another minute to release their flavors.
- Build Sauce: Pour in the chicken stock, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar. Stir well to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Add Tofu: Gently add the tofu cubes into the simmering sauce, being careful not to break them apart. Allow to simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir the mixed cornflour slurry and slowly drizzle it into the simmering sauce while stirring gently. Cook until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and drizzle with sesame oil. Garnish with finely sliced spring onions. Serve hot with steamed rice to fully enjoy the rich, spicy flavors.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the chili powder and Douban Jiang according to your heat preference.
- Use soft tofu carefully to avoid breaking it; handle gently while stirring.
- Ground Sichuan peppercorns add a unique numbing flavor, don’t omit for authentic taste.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute pork with mushrooms or textured vegetable protein and use vegetable stock.
- Serve immediately for best texture, as tofu can become soft if reheated multiple times.
