SPICY SICHUAN TOFU (MAPO DOUFU)

Spicy Sichuan Tofu (Mapo Doufu) image

Provided by Eileen Wen Mooney

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns,
1 (14- to 17-ounce) package tofu (not silken), rinsed
3 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
5 ounce ground pork butt (not lean; 2/3 cup)
2 1/2 tablespoons toban jiang (hot bean sauce)
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed, drained, and chopped
2 teaspoon Asian chile powder
1 cup chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons water
4 scallions, chopped (1/2 cup)
Equipment:
Equipment: an electric coffee/spice grinder; a well-seasoned 14-inch flat-bottomed wok.

Steps:

Grind peppercorns in grinder and set aside.
Cut tofu into 3/4-inch cubes and pat dry.
Heat wok over high heat until it begins to smoke, then pour oil down side and swirl to coat bottom and side. Stir-fry pork until no longer pink. Add bean sauce, black beans, and chile powder and stir-fry 1 minute. Stir in stock, soy sauce, sugar, tofu, and a pinch of salt. Simmer, gently stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, stir together cornstarch and water until smooth.
Stir cornstarch mixture into stir-fry and simmer, gently stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Stir in scallions and simmer 1 minute. Serve sprinkled with Sichuan pepper.
**Serve with:**perfect steamed rice