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Tofu with Spicy Meat Sauce

This simple, updated version of the classic Sichuan dish ma po tofu from cookbook author Joyce Jue, which appeared in F&W in March 2002, is the tastiest tofu recipe we've come across. It even makes converts of people who turn their nose up at tofu.

  • ACTIVE: 15 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • Fast
  • Healthy
  • Staff Favorite
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Recipe

Ingredients

  1. 1/4 cup small tree ear mushrooms
  2. 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  3. 1 tablespoon dry sherry or rice wine
  4. 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
  5. 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  6. 1/2 pound ground pork
  7. 1 1/2 tablespoons water
  8. 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  9. 1 tablespoon chili-bean sauce
  10. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  11. 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  12. 6 water chestnuts, chopped
  13. 4 scallions, white and light green parts only, chopped
  14. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  15. 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
  16. 1 pound firm tofu, drained and cut into 1/2-inch dice
  17. 3/4 cup chicken broth
  18. 1/2 cup frozen baby peas, thawed

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, cover the tree ears with water and let soak for 15 minutes; drain and coarsely chop.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce with the sherry, sesame oil and 1 teaspoon of the cornstarch. Stir in the pork. In a small bowl, mix the remaining cornstarch with the water. 
  3. In a wok, heat the oil until smoking. Add the chili-bean sauce, garlic and ginger and cook over high heat until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the water chestnuts and chopped tree ears and stir-fry for 15 seconds. Add the pork and stir-fry for 2 minutes, breaking up any large clumps. Stir in the scallions, sugar and white pepper. Gently stir in the tofu, broth, peas and the remaining 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and bring to a boil. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir until the sauce thickens, about 15 seconds. Transfer to a platter and serve.

Notes


    Cooking Club Tip: Ground pork isn’t as widely available as ground beef, but it’s easy to make your own at home. Dice inexpensive pork chops and pulse in the food processor until ground.

Search for easy-to-find light, soft chenin blanc

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