{"id":"recipe_73abd71a4d","slug":"mapo-tofu","title":"Mapo Tofu","description":"A fiery and aromatic Sichuan classic featuring silken tofu cubes bathed in a rich, savory, and spicy sauce with ground meat and numbing Sichuan peppercorns.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g Silken Tofu, cubed","name":"Silken Tofu","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"silken or soft","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"100g Ground Pork or Beef","name":"Ground Pork","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"ground","notes":"beef can be substituted","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 tablespoons Spicy Broad Bean Paste (Doubanjiang)","name":"Broad Bean Paste","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tablespoon","form":"paste","notes":"spicy Pixian style","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 cloves Garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tablespoon Ginger, minced","name":"Ginger","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tablespoon","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 teaspoon Sichuan Peppercorns","name":"Sichuan Peppercorns","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"teaspoon","form":"whole","notes":"to be toasted and ground","group":"Spice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"250ml Chicken or Beef Stock","name":"Chicken Stock","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"unsalted preferred","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 Green Onions, sliced","name":"Green onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"scallions; separate whites and greens","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tablespoon Cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tablespoon","form":"powder","notes":"mixed with 2 tbsp water for slurry","group":"Thickener","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tablespoon","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Toast Sichuan peppercorns in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant. Grind them into a fine powder and set aside.","group":"Preparation","title":"Toast Sichuan peppercorns","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Bring a pot of salted water to a boil (100°C / 212°F). Carefully add tofu cubes and simmer for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.","group":"Preparation","title":"Bring a pot of salted water","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and fry until browned and crispy.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat oil in a wok or large skillet","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Reduce heat to medium. Add broad bean paste (Doubanjiang) and stir-fry until the oil turns red and fragrant. Add garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. Sauté for 1 minute.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce heat to medium","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Gently slide in the blanched tofu. Simmer for 3-5 minutes to allow the tofu to absorb the flavors.","group":"Cooking","title":"Pour in the stock","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir and pour it into the wok in three stages, stirring gently between each addition until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.","group":"Cooking","title":"Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with the toasted Sichuan peppercorn powder and the green parts of the onions.","group":"Finishing","title":"Transfer to a serving dish","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"For the most authentic flavor, use Pixian broad bean paste (Doubanjiang). Blanching the tofu in salted water beforehand prevents it from breaking during stir-frying and improves its texture.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Sichuan"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["stirFry","simmer"],"equipment":["wok","mortar and pestle","slotted spoon"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["soy","wheat"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Main dish size"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The sauce and meat can be prepared ahead, but tofu is best added fresh."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container. Silken tofu may release more water upon standing.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently in a pan or microwave to avoid breaking the tofu."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_73abd71a4d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7a488a8c-b79c-4a38-9dd2-0e17c1b93531","imageAlt":"Mapo Tofu — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["spicy","tofu","sichuan","authentic","high protein"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Mapo Tofu","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:12:54.589Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:12:54.589Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}