Hearty Meat Mapo Tofu
A Generous Meat Mapo Tofu Recipe ♡
This Mapo Tofu recipe is for all you meat lovers out there! ^^
Main Ingredients
- 1 Green Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Onion (finely chopped)
- 2 Red Chilies (finely chopped)
- 1 Green Chili (finely chopped)
- 1 block (approx. 400g) Firm Tofu (cut into 1.5cm cubes)
- 500g Ground Pork
Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Doubanjiang (Sichuan Broad Bean Paste)
- 3 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 4 Tbsp Chili Powder (Gochugaru, adjust to taste)
- 4 Tbsp Cornstarch (mixed with 6 Tbsp water to make a slurry)
Pork Seasoning
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Doubanjiang (Sichuan Broad Bean Paste)
- 3 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 4 Tbsp Chili Powder (Gochugaru, adjust to taste)
- 4 Tbsp Cornstarch (mixed with 6 Tbsp water to make a slurry)
Pork Seasoning
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the block of tofu. Cut it into approximately 1.5cm cubes, about the size of a fingernail. This size is perfect for absorbing the sauce and for easy eating. Set the cubed tofu aside.
Step 2
Next, prepare the aromatics and vegetables. Finely chop the green onion. Finely chop the red and green chilies. Finely mince the onion. Having all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking will make the process much smoother.
Step 3
In a bowl, season the 500g of ground pork with 1 pinch of salt and 1 pinch of black pepper. Gently mix them together. This step helps to remove any porky odors and enhances the flavor.
Step 4
Heat a wok or a deep skillet over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Once heated, add the minced garlic and the chopped green onions. Sauté until fragrant and they start to turn golden brown, creating a flavorful green onion oil. Add 1 tablespoon of chili powder and stir-fry quickly for about 10-15 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. (Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning!)
Step 5
Now, add the minced onion to the wok. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry until the onions become translucent. Cooking over high heat helps to bring out the sweetness of the onions.
Step 6
Once the onions are translucent, add the doubanjiang and soy sauce. Continue stir-frying over high heat for about 30 seconds. This step infuses the oil with the rich flavors of the doubanjiang and soy sauce. Be careful not to scorch the pastes.
Step 7
Add the seasoned ground pork to the wok. Use chopsticks or a spatula to break up the meat and stir-fry until it is browned. Ensure the pork is fully cooked and doesn’t clump together. Well-cooked pork is key to a delicious Mapo Tofu.
Step 8
Once the pork has browned, add the chopped red and green chilies. Stir-fry briefly with the other ingredients. The chilies add a beautiful color and a fresh aroma to the dish.
Step 9
Now it’s time to season the dish. Add the oyster sauce, the remaining 3 tablespoons of chili powder, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. You can taste and adjust the chili powder or sugar at this point to suit your preference.
Step 10
Pour in 400ml of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, carefully add the cubed tofu. Gently stir to distribute the sauce evenly over the tofu. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Step 11
When the ingredients begin to bubble and simmer, gradually add the cornstarch slurry (4 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 6 Tbsp water) while stirring continuously. Add it little by little until you achieve your desired thickness. The sauce should be rich and coat the ingredients nicely.
Step 12
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and give it a final stir to add a nutty aroma. Adding sesame oil at the end preserves its fragrance.
Step 13
Your hearty and delicious Meat Mapo Tofu is ready! Serve it generously over a bowl of hot rice for a truly satisfying meal. Transfer to your favorite serving dish and enjoy!
