Mapo Tofu With Chinese Black Beans Sichuan Style

Skipper/Sy's Note:

Tofu (Japanese name for Bean Curd (Chinese name Dou Fo) is high in protein, inexpensive and blends very well with many foods. There are different variations of tofu from the cuisines of Korea, Japan and China. Plus each country has variations such as silken (very soft), soft, medium or firm tofu. I recommend using a medium or firm tofu and a Sichuan Spicy Noodle Sauce for this tasty dish. This dish can be very spicy or mild according to your personal taste� see notes below.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 14 ounces tofu (medium or firm)
• 2 ounces ground pork (substitute ground beef, turkey or chicken meat)
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 cup chicken soup base (or Won Ton powder)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (non-sweetened brand, read label on bottle)
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons black beans (Chinese salted black beans) (optional)
• 3 tablespoons rice wine
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon bean sauce (Amoy Sichuan Spicy Noodle Sauce) (optional)
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 tablespoon chili paste with garlic (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon chili pepper (optional)
• 3 tablespoons tapioca starch (substitute cornstarch)
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 scallions, cut up into small diagonal lengths (green onion)

Directions:

1. PREPARATION.
2. Rinse briefly the salted black beans in water to remove some of the salt and then add 2 or more tablespoons rice wine and soak for 15 minutes, set aside.
3. Add grated ginger to the salted black beans.
4. In a bowl add the ground meat and 1 tablespoon soya sauce and mix, set aside.
5. In a measuring cup add 1/2 to 3/4 cup stock, oyster sauce, Amoy Sichuan Spicy Noodle Sauce, garlic, chili paste with garlic, sugar, chili peppers, set aside.
6. Cut up the tofu into bite size cubes, set aside.
7. In a cup add 3 tablespoons tapioca starch, 4 tablespoons stock, mix to create a watery mixture, set aside.
8. COOKING DIRECTIONS.
9. In a wok (or Teflon pan) add the peanut oil and when hot add the salted black bean mixture, stir for 1 minute.
10. Add the ground pork (or other meat) and stir to break up the pieces for about 1 minute.
11. Next add the stock mixture, stir and bring to a boil.
12. Add the tofu and gently toss (try not to break up the tofu), cover and let cook for 2 or more minutes, remove the cover and gently toss again, cover and let cook for 1 more minutes.
13. Mix the tapioca starch and stock, remove the cover and then add ½ of the mixture and at the same time stir gently until the sauce becomes thick (add more of the tapioca mixture as needed).
14. Add the scallions and sesame oil, briefly toss gently� now you are almost finished.
15. In individual plates add some white rice and the black bean & tofu sauce on the side or on top.
16. Enjoy.
17. NOTES:.
18. You can substitute ingredients like using sweet oyster sauce or eliminating the salted black beans and also reducing a little of the spicy ingredients for a milder dish.
19. The photo shows that I used scotch bonnet peppers which are extremely hot, so substitute other types to your liking.
20. You can use the soft tofu, but it will break down more easily when stirring and also release more liquid as well.
21. If you add to much stock (1/2 to 3/4 is good) or the softer types of tofu the sauce will become to thinner� and you will then need to add more of the tapioca starch mixture for a thicker sauce.
22. The Amoy Sichuan Spicy Noodle Sauce (fermented salted soybean, chili, garlic) is a great ingredient for this spicy dish or use other types of sauce found on Asian food store shelves.