Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of Mapo Tofu Spaghetti, a culinary masterpiece that harmoniously blends the fiery heat of Sichuan cuisine with the comforting embrace of Italian pasta. This delectable dish takes you on a journey of taste and texture, featuring succulent tofu bathed in a rich and savory sauce, complemented by the springy texture of spaghetti.
In this comprehensive guide, we present two irresistible variations of Mapo Tofu Spaghetti, each offering a unique twist on this classic fusion dish. The first recipe introduces the traditional method, employing fermented bean paste, chili oil, and a symphony of aromatic spices to create an authentic Sichuan-style sauce. For those seeking a milder heat level, the second recipe offers a delightful alternative, utilizing a combination of tomato sauce and chili flakes for a more balanced flavor profile. Both variations promise an unforgettable culinary experience that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
MAPO TOFU
This mapo tofu recipe is the true blue, authentic real deal-the spicy, tongue-numbing, rice-is-absolutely-not-optional mapo tofu that you get in the restaurants!
Provided by Kaitlin
Categories Tofu
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- First, we toast the chilies. If you have homemade toasted chili oil, you can skip this step. Heat your wok or a small saucepan over low heat. Add ¼ cup of the oil and throw in the fresh and dried peppers. Stir occasionally and heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes, ensuring that the peppers don't burn. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat the remaining ¼ cup of oil in your wok over medium heat. Add the ginger. After 1 minute, add the garlic. Fry for another minute, and then turn up the heat to high and add the ground pork. Break up the meat and fry it until it's cooked through. Add your ground Sichuan peppercorns and stir for about 15-30 seconds, taking care to not let it burn, as it will turn bitter if it does.
- Add the spicy bean sauce to the mixture and stir it in well. Add ⅔ cups of chicken broth to the wok and stir. Let this simmer for a minute or so. While that's happening, ready your tofu and also put a ¼ cup of water in a small bowl with your cornstarch and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to your sauce and stir. Let it bubble away until the sauce starts to thicken. (If it gets too thick, splash in a little more water or chicken stock.)
- Then add your chili oil from before-peppers and all! If you are using homemade chili oil, ONLY use the standing oil, as it's likely that you have salted it and you only want the oil, not additional salt. Stir the oil into the sauce, and add the tofu. Use your spatula to gently toss the tofu in the sauce. Let everything cook for 3-5 minutes. Add the sesame oil and sugar (if using) along with the scallions and stir until the scallions are just wilted.
- Serve with a last sprinkle of Sichuan peppercorn powder as a garnish if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 335 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 29 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 27 mg, Sodium 126 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MAPO TOFU (MABO DOFU)
Japanese-style Mapo Tofu (Mabo Dofu) is incredibly flavorful but less spicy than the Sichuan version. It's a delicious meal ready in 30 minutes that even children can enjoy!
Provided by Namiko Chen
Categories Main Course
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Combine all the ingredients for the seasonings (the doubanjiang, mirin, miso, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water) in a bowl and mix well together.
- Mince the garlic cloves and ginger finely.
- Cut the green onions into small pieces. Drain the tofu and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
- In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil on medium heat and sauté the garlic and ginger. Make sure you don't burn them. Once they are fragrant, add the ground pork and break it up with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- When the meat is no longer pink, add the seasonings mixture and stir thoroughly. Bring the sauce to a boil
- Once the sauce is boiling, add the tofu and gently coat it with the sauce. Stir frequently, without mashing the tofu, until it is heated through. Add the green onions and stir to incorporate just before taking the pan off the heat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 17 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 41 mg, Sodium 845 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, UnsaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
VEGAN MAPO TOFU
Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, lunch, quick, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
- Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
- Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
- Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 166, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 638 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MAPO TOFU
This spicy, aromatic Sichuan dish is recognizable from the citrus aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and the spicy fermented flavor of hot bean sauce. According to legend, Mapo Tofu (Pock-Marked Grandma's Tofu) was named after an old Chinese woman who served the dish to her restaurant guests. She became known for it and people began referring to the dish as the pock-marked woman's tofu.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat a wok over medium-high heat and toast the Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Remove from heat and transfer the peppercorns to a bowl to cool. Coarsely grind the peppercorns in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the chicken broth, hot bean paste, cornstarch, hot sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar; set aside.
- Heat the wok over medium-high heat. Add the canola oil, garlic, ginger and fermented black beans and cook until fragrant, stirring often, about 10 seconds. Add the ground pork and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat with a wooden spatula or spoon, until it is browned, 3 to 5 minutes. (Lower the heat to medium if the garlic starts to burn.) Add the reserved ground peppercorns, the tofu and the soy sauce mixture. Cook, stirring once to combine, until the sauce is reduced, thickened and glossy, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with the scallions. Serve with steamed jasmine rice.
Tips:
- To make the best Mapo Tofu Spaghetti, it is important to use high-quality ingredients. This means using a good quality tofu, ground pork, and vegetables. It is also important to use a good qualitydoubanjiang, or chili bean paste, as this is the key ingredient that gives the dish its characteristic flavor.
- When cooking the tofu, it is important to press it well to remove excess water. This will help the tofu to absorb the flavors of the sauce better.
- To make the sauce, it is important to brown the ground pork and vegetables well. This will help to develop the flavor of the sauce.
- When adding the doubanjiang to the sauce, it is important to stir it constantly to prevent it from burning. If the doubanjiang burns, it will add a bitter flavor to the sauce.
- When adding the tofu to the sauce, it is important to be gentle to prevent it from breaking up. Once the tofu is added, simmer the sauce for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the Mapo Tofu Spaghetti immediately, topped with chopped green onions and cilantro.
Conclusion:
Mapo Tofu Spaghetti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and tasty meal. By following the tips above, you can make a Mapo Tofu Spaghetti that is sure to impress your family and friends.
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