Ma Po Tofu Recipe

Ma po tofu is one of the most famous Chinese food recipe, the spicy pepper is perfect with the soft tofu. It's only has a few ingredients, and it's fast and easy to prepare.

Wok, bowl, plate

14 oz./ 400g firm tofu

1/3 cup ground beef

1 tbsp.chopped scallion

1 tbsp.ground ginger

3 chilies, finely chopped

1 tbsp.bean sauce

1 tbsp.light soy sauce

1 tbsp.white sugar, or to taste

1 tbsp.ground peppercorn

1 tbsp.Chinese rice wine, or dry sherry

1 tbsp.cornstarch, mixed with 4 tbsps.water

2 tbsp.vegetable oil for stir-frying

1. Drain the tofu well before use according to the tips at the end.

2. Preheat a wok over medium-high heat for at least 30 seconds, then add oil and drizzle to coat the surface until it is hot. Then saute 1 tbsp.bean sauce, scallion, ground ginger, and chilies until aromatic, about 30-60 seconds, then add ground beef and stir fry until nearly done (P1).

P1

3. Put the tofu cubes back into the wok in which it was cooked, then bring them to a gentle boil (P2).

P2

4. Whisk cornstarch water mixture, 1 tbsp. white sugar, 1 tbsp.Chinese rice wine, 1 tbsp.light soy sauce in a bowl, then pour over the tofu and stir to coat well (P3).

P3

5. Remove from the heat to a plate, top with a sprinkling of ground peppercorn before serving (P4).

P4

How to drain tofu before using:

1. Cut tofu into uniform size pieces.

2. Lay a kitchen paper out on a big serving plate, arrange tofu cubes on it neatly, then cover another kitchen paper on them.

3. At last, put a book or any other heavy things on it, let sit for 20 minutes until needed.

4. During this period, you may find water leeks out of it, no worries, drain it by tiltting the plate if needed.