Mushroom Mapo Tofu Food

VEGAN MAPO TOFU

Steps:

• In a wok over medium low heat, add the vegetable oil and ground Sichuan peppercorns (remember to reserve ¼ teaspoon for garnishing the dish at the end).
• Cook for 30 seconds, and add the ginger. Cook for another 1 minute and add the garlic. Cook for another 1 minute. Add the black beans, and chilies. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
• Turn up the heat to medium, and add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms are cooked down and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
• Add the spicy bean sauce and chili oil to the mixture and stir it in well. Turn up the heat to high, and add ⅔ cups water or broth and stir. Bring the mixture up to a simmer, and allow to bubble for 1 minute.
• Stir the cornstarch and water mixture to make sure the cornstarch is dissolved, and add it to the sauce. Allow the sauce to thicken (if it gets too thick, splash in more water or stock). If the sauce is too thin, make a little more cornstarch slurry and add it in. There will be variations depending on how high your heat is.
• Add the tofu to the wok and gently toss the tofu in the sauce. Allow the tofu to simmer for 3-5 minutes, and then add the sesame oil, sugar, and scallions.
• Give everything a final stir, and taste for seasoning (you likely won't have to add any additional salt, as the spicy bean sauce and fermented black beans are quite salty). Serve, garnished with a last sprinkle of Sichuan peppercorn powder.

MUSHROOM MAPO TOFU

Steps:

• Drain the tofu and press gently with kitchen paper to remove any excess moisture. Alternatively, you could place the tofu on a clean tea towel, place a clean medium chopping board over the top and leave for 10 mins to press out any excess moisture. Slice into 1.5 x 1.5cm sized chunks.
• Mix all of the sauce ingredients together in a jug.
• Heat a wok over a high heat and drizzle in the rapeseed oil. Add the garlic, ginger and chillies and stir for a few seconds. Tip in the mushrooms and stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the Sichuan pepper and the tofu, gently stirring. Add the chilli bean paste and dark soy sauce, followed by the Shaoxing rice wine or sherry. Pour in the sauce ingredients, stir everything to combine, and bring to the bubble, cooking for 1 min.
• Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle over the ground toasted Sichuan pepper and spring onions to serve.

MUSHROOM MAPO TOFU

Steps:

• Put 2 cups cold water and the dried shiitake mushrooms in a small pot and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let sit to rehydrate for 30 minutes.
• Squeeze excess water from the mushrooms, cut off and discard the stems and finely chop the mushrooms. Measure the mushroom-soaking liquid and add enough cold water to come to 1 1/2 cups.
• Mix the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl until combined; set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a wok or large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to smoke. Add the shiitakes and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Lower the heat to medium, add the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, the ginger, douchi, doubanjiang, Sichuan peppercorn powder, garlic and dried chile, if using, and cook until everything is bright red, about 1 minute.
• Add the mushroom-soaking liquid to the wok, scraping any brown bits off the bottom. Gently stir in the tofu and bring to a boil. Add the soy sauce and sugar, then stir in the cornstarch slurry and half of the scallions. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the sauce is glossy, about 1 minute.
• Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with the remaining scallions and more Sichuan peppercorn powder if desired and drizzle the toasted sesame oil on top.

VEGAN MAPO TOFU

Steps:

• Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
• Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
• Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
• Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.