Mapo Tofu Skewers

Mapo Tofu Skewers are a delightful fusion of traditional Sichuan flavors and modern grilling techniques, delivering a spicy and aromatic experience. This vegetarian dish features tender tofu cubes marinated in a savory sauce, then skewered and grilled to perfection.

Mapo Tofu Skewers
30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Chinese
270 kcal

Ingredients

  • Firm tofu - 300 grams
  • Sichuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
  • Dried red chili flakes - 1 teaspoon
  • Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
  • Ginger - 1 teaspoon, minced
  • Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
  • Doubanjiang (fermented broad bean paste) - 1 tablespoon
  • Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
  • Spring onions - 2, chopped
  • Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
  • Skewers - 4 (if using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes)

Steps

  1. Press the firm tofu between paper towels to remove excess moisture for about 15 minutes, then cut it into 2.5 cm cubes.
  2. In a pan, dry roast the Sichuan peppercorns over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes, then grind them into a fine powder.
  3. In a bowl, combine the ground Sichuan peppercorns, dried red chili flakes, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, doubanjiang, and vegetable oil to create a marinade.
  4. Add the tofu cubes to the marinade, gently tossing to coat them evenly. Let the tofu marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  6. Thread the marinated tofu cubes onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
  7. Grill the skewers for about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the tofu is heated through and has grill marks.
  8. Remove the skewers from the grill and drizzle with sesame oil, then sprinkle with chopped spring onions before serving.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 270
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Carbs: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Water: 0.25 L

Health Benefits

  • High in protein due to tofu, which supports muscle health.
  • Contains antioxidants from spices like Sichuan peppercorns and chili flakes, which can help reduce inflammation.

Tags

ChineseVegetarianBBQ