Vegan Mushroom Ma Po Tofu Food

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.

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.

VEGAN MAPO TOFU

Steps:

• Mix vegetable broth, maple syrup, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Heat peanut oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, black beans, green onions, garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns. Saute until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add chili bean paste and the soy sauce mixture. Cook and stir until thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Add tofu; cook until heated through, about 1 minute more.
• Transfer cooked tofu to a serving dish; drizzle chile oil and sesame oil on top. Top with chopped peanuts.

VEGAN MUSHROOM MA PO TOFU

Steps:

• To make the sauce, mix cornflour and water to a smooth paste in a mixing jug. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and mix well. Ensure that there are no lumps. Set aside.
• Heat a wok on high. Add the vegetable/peanut oil and sesame oil. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli flakes. Sauté for a few seconds. Add the mushroom and the white part of the spring onion and sauté for a couple of minutes until spring onion starts to caramelize.
• Add the sauce and continue cooking, tossing constantly for a couple of minutes. Add the tofu and mix gently. Cook for a couple of minutes until tofu is coated and heated through.
• Remove into a serving bowl. Garnish with spring onion greens.
• Serve hot with steamed rice.

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.

VEGETARIAN MAPO TOFU

Steps:

• Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in one cup of water for 1-2 hours or until soft. Save the water. Finely dice the mushrooms.
• In a skillet, heat sesame seed oil and sauté minced ginger and garlic. Add carrots and sauté. Add mushrooms and peas and sauté.
• Add diced tofu and 1 cup water used for soaking mushrooms.
• Add salt, tamari, and 1 - 2 tsp chili paste (depending on how spicy you want). Cook until everything is heated through.
• In a small bowl, dissolve potato starch in 2 Tbsp water. Lower the heat and add the mixture. Stir until the liquid gets thick. Turn off the heat.
• Transfer the dish to plates and sprinkle sliced green onions.

VEGAN MA PO TOFU

Steps:

• Cover the mushrooms with hot water and let stand 1 hour. Drain and cut into 1/8-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Place the tofu in a large sieve. Bring 8 cups (2 L) of water to a boil. Pour into a metal bowl just larger than the sieve and place the sieve inside. Let soak for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Mix 5 tablespoons. of cold water with the broth, chili oil, bean sauce, cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or heavy, large skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the mushroom pieces and "beef" and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir the broth mixture and add to the wok with the peas and carrots. Stir-fry until reaches a boil, about 1 minute. Add the tofu and toss gently to coat. Cook 2 1/2 minutes, tossing gently.
• Divide between plates. Garnish with the cilantro and sprinkle with the pepper.