Vegan Mapo Tofu

Vegan Mapo Tofu is a spicy and aromatic Sichuan dish that delivers bold flavors while being completely plant-based. Silken tofu is cooked in a savory sauce made with fermented black beans and chili oil, creating a delightful experience for your taste buds.

Ingredients

• Firm tofu - 300 grams
• Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Ginger - 1 tablespoon, minced
• Sichuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
• Red chili flakes - 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
• Fermented black beans - 2 tablespoons, rinsed and mashed
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Vegetable broth - 200 ml
• Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon
• Water - 2 tablespoons
• Scallions - 2, chopped (for garnish)
• Cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)

Steps

1. Press the tofu for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.
2. In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, and red chili flakes, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the mashed fermented black beans and sauté for another minute.
4. Carefully add the tofu cubes to the skillet, gently stirring to coat them with the sauce mixture.
5. Pour in the soy sauce and vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add this to the skillet while stirring to thicken the sauce. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Once the sauce has thickened, remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions and cilantro.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 21 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from tofu, making it a great meat substitute.
• Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties from ginger and garlic.

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