How’s about a little change-up – like in spicy heat?
Mabo Dofu! Some call it Szechuan Tofu. Whatever, it is a warm, tasty treat for a cool night…or any meal!
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It really is quite simple to throw together. And you really don’t need a wok – a regular ol’ pot will do!
The key ingredients:
1/2 pound – ground pork
2 – 8 oz cartons of firm tofu (16 oz total) cut into the size of your big toe (If comparing, wash your toe first.)
2 – tbsp chili paste
1 or 2 – cloves garlic
For braising stock:
1 – cup chicken stock (I used to make my own but too lazy now – it does make a difference!)
3 – tbsp regular soy sauce
2 – tsp sugar
1/2 – tsp salt
Other ingredients:
Green onion
1 – tbsp sesame oil
1 – tsp “rayu” (chili oil)
Corn starch slurry
Ground white pepper to taste (not black pepper)
1. In hot 2 quart sauce pan, drizzle a little oil then brown ground pork over high heat.
2. When browned, quickly add the chili paste and crushed garlic then stir. Cook until pungent, no more 30 seconds.
3. Add braising sauce and carefully add cubed and drained tofu.
4. Stir gently then braise maybe ten five minutes, covered, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil and chili oil (to your liking) and ground white pepper. Stir in cornstarch slurry to desired thickness.
6. Top off with green onions and serve over rice, ramen or eat it by itself! Easy!
Enjoy!
Masako and Spam Musubi 
I might have to experiment without the pork. 🙂
Ooops! Forgot about the Vegan gyoza recipe!
The computer translation isn’t perfect but the ingredients for a meatless gyoza should be clear!
http://translate.google.co.jp/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://cookpad.com/recipe/1072541&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%25E9%2587%258E%25E8%258F%259C%25E9%25A4%2583%25E5%25AD%2590%2B%25E3%2583%25AC%25E3%2582%25B7%25E3%2583%2594%2B%25E8%2582%2589%25E3%2581%25AA%25E3%2581%2597%26hl%3Den%26tbo%3Dd%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D730&sa=X&ei=fVbqUJ1QyuGKApW9gcgL&ved=0CC8Q7gEwAA
That’s ok! I look forward to it when it’s ready. 🙂
That looks delicious! And your son has a nice big bowl!
He had one and a half bowls. He’s a rice boy! LOL
The smiling face gives this recipe the thumbs up!
Haha! Thank you. 😉
Looks good Papa! No “ewwwws”? 😉
Nope!
Tasty.. The recipe and the sense of humor.
I will make this one.
Sense of humor? I have none! 😉
You have a sense of humor. Only a ‘sense’ though. 😀
I’ve been cooking like crazy, trying new things that I’ve never considered before. Being vegetarians, I’d omit the pork and maybe substitute something else that would be able to handle the spice. I LOVE hot foods.
Risotto is my favorite of new foods lately. Seems that if I spend the time required to make a really nice meal, I snack less or not at all and there are no leftovers.
I love risotto, too. If you get Cook’s Illustrated, they had an article on fool-proof risotto last year. And I did post a vegetarian version up above in genealogylady’s comment…
“If comparing, wash your toe first …” 😀
Well, I guess you really don’t need to since you’re braising… 🙂
Tempting… I can almost taste it and I have a weakness for anything hot!
Well, the recipe needs some baked termites to complete it! Mega protein. lol
Does that classify as vegetarian? (Grin)
NOPE! lol
Looks delicious – I can just about smell it all the way to PA! But sadly that is one recipe I will have to not try..I would have heartburn for a week! 😦 The older I get the less I can eat.
Me three! 🙂 But I put up with it ‘cuz I like spicy… Dumb, huh?!
Not dumb – I am diabetic and ok with changing my eating habits, but won’t give up my cookies – real cookies with sugar and fat and everything not healthy!!
i’m not a fan of pork, but I love tofu and this sounds great. I can figure out a way to substitute and enjoy. It’s the spice ratio that I always struggle with, so I’m glad to have a recipe! 🙂
Yummm, this dish looks delicious. Wow, and I’m a fan of chili oil and garlic too. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Signed,
~Salivating :p”