Vegetable Mapo Tofu

Vegetable Mapo Tofu is a spicy and aromatic dish that combines silky tofu with a medley of vegetables and a rich, flavorful sauce. This vegetarian twist on the classic Chinese dish offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes, perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

• Firm tofu - 250 grams
• Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Ginger - 1 tablespoon, minced
• Red bell pepper - 1, diced
• Carrot - 1 medium, diced
• Zucchini - 1 small, diced
• Mushrooms (shiitake or button) - 100 grams, sliced
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Doubanjiang (spicy bean paste) - 1 tablespoon
• Vegetable broth - 100 ml
• Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon, mixed with 2 tablespoons water
• Green onions - 2, chopped
• Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Press the tofu to remove excess water for about 15 minutes, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the diced red bell pepper, carrot, zucchini, and sliced mushrooms to the pan. Stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
4. Stir in the soy sauce and doubanjiang, mixing well to coat the vegetables. Cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Carefully add the cubed tofu to the pan, gently stirring to combine without breaking the tofu.
7. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes, then add the cornstarch-water mixture to thicken the sauce. Stir gently until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then drizzle with sesame oil.
9. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 16 g
• Carbs: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from tofu, supporting muscle health.
• Rich in vitamins and minerals from a variety of vegetables.

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