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Vegetarian Mapo Tofu with Shiitake
Vegetarian Mapo Tofu with Shiitake
Classic DishMapo Tofu
Prep: 15 min • Cook: 20 min. A flavorful vegetarian rendition of Mapo Tofu, substituting minced pork with savory shiitake mushrooms. This version retains the characteristic spicy and numbing Sichuan profile with plant-based richness, offering a delightful and satisfying meal.
- Preparation time
- 15 min
- Cooking time
- 20 min
- Total time
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
Instructions
Preparation
- 1Gently drain the silken tofu and cut it into 2cm cubes. Set aside.
- 2Finely chop the shiitake mushrooms. Mince the garlic and ginger.
- 3If using whole Sichuan peppercorns, toast them in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant, then grind them into a powder.
- 4In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, and chili flakes (if using).
- 5Prepare the cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water.
Cooking
- 1Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- 2Add the chopped shiitake mushrooms and stir-fry until they soften and release their moisture, about 3-4 minutes.
- 3Stir in the doubanjiang and cook for 1-2 minutes until the oil turns red and aromatic.
- 4Pour in the water or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Add the tofu cubes gently.
- 5Pour in the soy sauce mixture. Simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, allowing the tofu to absorb the flavors. Avoid stirring too vigorously to prevent breaking the tofu.
- 6Stir the cornstarch slurry again and slowly add it to the wok while gently stirring, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- 7Stir in the ground Sichuan peppercorns.
Serving
- 1Carefully transfer the Mapo Tofu to a serving bowl.
- 2Garnish with chopped scallions and serve hot with steamed rice.
Nutrition Information
- Calories
- 351 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Carbs
- 16 g
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 351 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Carbs | 16 g |
Tips
- For best results, use silken tofu that has been lightly pressed to remove excess water without crushing it.
- Adjust the amount of doubanjiang and chili flakes to control the spiciness level of your Mapo Tofu.
- Serve immediately with steamed white rice to balance the rich and spicy flavors of the dish.
