[Basic] Classic Comforting Mapo Tofu – Easy Recipe

Name: [Basic] Classic Comforting Mapo Tofu – Easy Recipe
Yield: Serves 2–3 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 block (about 14 oz/400 g) tofu; 4 oz (120 g) ground pork or ground beef/pork mix; 1/3 stalk green onion (can substitute with yellow onion); 2 teaspoons grated ginger; 2 teaspoons grated garlic; 2 teaspoons doubanjiang (chili bean paste; omit for a milder, kid-friendly version); 2 teaspoons miso paste; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 cup (200 ml) chicken broth (mix chicken bouillon granules or paste with water); 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 dash toasted sesame oil; 1 small amount of toppings (such as sliced green onions or cilantro)

白いエプロンのクマ @shiro_apron

Use a whole block of tofu! Even with less meat, this hearty dish pairs perfectly with rice. After researching about 20 different mapo tofu recipes, I found the perfect flavor balance.
Recipe background:
When I set out to create a basic mapo tofu recipe, I noticed many versions used tianmianjiang (sweet bean paste). Since most US households (including mine) don’t usually have tianmianjiang, I substituted it with miso and sugar.

白いエプロンのクマ @shiro_apron

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Ingredients

Serves 2–3 servings

1 block(about 14 oz/400 g) tofu
4 oz (120 g)ground pork or ground beef/pork mix
1/3 stalkgreen onion (can substitute with yellow onion)
2 teaspoonsgrated ginger
2 teaspoonsgrated garlic
2 teaspoonsdoubanjiang (chili bean paste; omit for a milder, kid-friendly version)
2 teaspoonsmiso paste
1 teaspoonsugar
1 cup (200 ml)chicken broth (mix chicken bouillon granules or paste with water)
1 tablespoonsoy sauce
2 teaspoonscornstarch
For garnish, as desired
1 dashtoasted sesame oil
1small amount of toppings (such as sliced green onions or cilantro)

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Steps

1

Finely chop the green onion. Sauté it with the garlic, ginger, and ground meat in a pan.
2

Once the meat is cooked through, add all the ingredients marked with ★ (doubanjiang, miso, sugar, chicken broth, soy sauce).
3

When it comes to a boil, add the tofu cut into 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) cubes. Heat until the tofu is warmed through.
4

Turn off the heat. Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water (not listed in ingredients), then drizzle it into the pan. Stir well, then bring to a boil over high heat for a short time to thicken.
5

For extra flavor, drizzle with toasted sesame oil and top with your choice of garnishes.