Vegetarian Mapo Tofu

Vegetarian Mapo Tofu is a flavorful, spicy dish that captures the essence of traditional Sichuan cuisine while being completely plant-based. With silky tofu and a rich, aromatic sauce, this dish is perfect for a comforting meal or an impressive dinner party.

Ingredients

• Firm tofu - 300 grams
• Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic, minced - 2 cloves
• Ginger, minced - 1 teaspoon
• Scallions, chopped - 2 stalks
• Sichuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
• Doubanjiang (spicy broad bean paste) - 1 tablespoon
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Vegetable broth - 150 milliliters
• Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon
• Water - 2 tablespoons
• Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Chopped cilantro - for garnish

Steps

1. Press the firm tofu for about 15 minutes to remove excess water, then cut it into 1.5 cm cubes.
2. In a pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, and scallions, sautéing until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Add Sichuan peppercorns and doubanjiang to the pan, stirring well for another minute.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and soy sauce, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
5. Gently add the cubed tofu to the pan, letting it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the tofu to absorb the flavors.
6. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the pan, stirring gently to thicken the sauce.
7. Drizzle sesame oil, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
8. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• High in plant-based protein from tofu, supporting muscle health.
• Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds due to spices like ginger and garlic.

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