Quick Sichuan Mapo Tofu (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
02 - 1/2 teaspoon granulated white sugar
03 - 1 scallion, finely chopped, keep greens and whites separate
04 - 1 1/2 tablespoons spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
05 - 3 garlic cloves, chopped finely
06 - 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce (dark)
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ginger, minced
08 - 2 teaspoons chili oil
09 - 1/2 lb pork, ground
10 - 1 teaspoon bouillon powder (chicken)
11 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil, toasted
12 - 1 lb tofu, silken and cubed
13 - 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground
14 - 2 teaspoons table salt
15 - 1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable)

→ Thickening Agent

16 - 2 tablespoons chilled water
17 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch

# Instructions:

01 - Mix the cornstarch into 2 tablespoons of cold water until it’s all smooth. Keep it aside for now.
02 - Carefully cut the silken tofu into cubes about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp blade to do horizontal slices, then vertical cuts.
03 - Get a medium-sized pot of salted water bubbling. Drop in the tofu cubes and blanch them for a minute. Drain them with a colander and don't rinse.
04 - Warm vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the ground pork, stirring often, for about 4 to 5 minutes until the liquid cooks off.
05 - Toss the garlic, ginger, and chopped scallion whites into the pork. Stir until they smell amazing.
06 - Season the pork with the bouillon powder, bean paste, chili oil, dark soy sauce, sugar, and the ground Sichuan pepper.
07 - Stir in the chicken broth and the cornstarch and water mix. Let it cook down and thicken a bit.
08 - Gently fold the tofu cubes into the sauce in the pan. Use a spatula to mix carefully and avoid breaking the tofu.
09 - Pour sesame oil over the dish and sprinkle the greens from the scallion on top. Serve warm alongside rice.

# Notes:

01 - Always use fresh silken tofu and try not to overcook it, so the texture stays nice.
02 - Spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang) can usually be found at Asian grocery stores. Adjust the amount if you want it less spicy.

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