Mapo tofu (mapo doufu: 마파두부)(Eng)

 Mapo tofu is a popular Chinese dish from the Sichuan (Szechuan) province. It is a combination of tofu (bean curd) set in a spicy chili- and bean-based sauce, typically a thin, oily, and bright red suspension, and often cooked with fermented black beans and minced meat, usually pork or beef and other vegetable.

 Mapo tofu can also be found in other Chinese provinces as well as Taiwan, Japan and Korea where the flavor is adapted to local tastes.

Today I’m going to make my style Mapo tofu using Korean soybean paste(Doenjang: 된장) and hot pepper paste(Gochujang: 고추장) instead of Dubanjang.

Ingredients

•          1 package of firm tofu (500 g)
•          300 g ground beef (or pork, seafood)
•          1 cup of chopped zucchini
•          1 cup of chopped mushroom
•          1 cup of chopped onion
•        ½ cup of green onion
•        1~2 green peppers & red pepper
•          1 tsb of minced garlic
•          3 tsb of vegetable oil, 1 tsb of hot pepper powder
•          1 tsb of Korean soybean paste(Doenjang: 된장) (or black bean paste if you want)
•          1 tsb of hot pepper paste(Gochujang: 고추장) (or dubanjang if you want)
•          1 tsb of oyster sauce
•          3 cups of water
•         1 tbs of cornstarch and 1 tbs water

       Directions

  

1. Have all of the other ingredients prepared and on hand before you begin cooking.
2. Chopped all of vegetable (onion, zucchini, mushroom, green onion, pepper)
3. Add 1 tsb minced garlic,1 tsb soy sauce, black pepper, ½ sesame oil in ground beef.
4. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbs Korean soy bean paste,1 tbs red pepper paste, 1 tbs oyster sauce and set aside.
5. Heat a wok or large skillet on medium high heat and add the oil. 
6. Add 1 tsb hot pepper powder and quickly stir (this is a chili oil) for 15 seconds.
7. Add the ground beef and sauté until it is cooked through.
8. Add chopped all of vegetable and cook a few minutes more.
9. Add the sauce mixture, 3 cups of water, the diced tofu.
10. And simmer and stir for 5 minutes.
11. While tofu is cooking, make cornstarch paste by mixing 1 tbs cornstarch and 1 tbs water.
12. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir to thicken and add sesame oil. Swirl gently and cook for another 3-4 minutes on medium high heat.
13. Serve with steamed rice.

Chopped all of vegetable (onion, zucchini, mushroom, green onion, pepper)

Cut tofu into 1 inch cubes. 

Add 1 tsb minced garlic, 1 tsb soy sauce, black pepper, ½ sesame oil in ground beef.

In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbs Korean soy bean paste,1 tbs red pepper paste,

 1 tbs oyster sauce and set aside.

Heat a wok or large skillet on medium high heat and add the 3 tsb of oil

Add 1 tsb hot pepper power and quickly stir (this is a chili oil) for 15 seconds.

Add the ground beef and sauté until it is cooked through.

Add chopped all of vegetable and cook few a minutes more.

Add the sauce mixture, 3 cups of water, the diced tofu.

And simmer and stir for 5 minutes.

Make cornstarch paste by mixing 1 tbs cornstarch and 1 tbs water. 

 Add the cornstarch mixture and stir to thicken and add sesame oil. 

Swirl gently and cook for another 3-4 minutes on medium high heat. 

Serve with steamed rice.

Reference: wikipedia