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March 10, 2019

MaPo Tofu

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Our time sprung forward to an hour this weekend here in the States, as we got on Daylight Savings Time. I cooked MaPo Tofu, an easy recipe of ground pork with beef and tofu because the time change reminded me how fast the days will go in the next few months. I hope the snow on our lawn melts soon and gives way to the green grass, bluer skies, more sun and warmth.
When spring comes around, there’s more to do outdoors and less time spent in the kitchen. So, I search for faster recipes to cook.

MaPo Tofu is a dish which my niece, Carlyne does expertly. This Chinese-influenced recipe has many similarities to Filipino entrees in robust flavors and method. So, I reached out to my niece for  questions on ingredients. Carlyne said:” For my MaPo, I prefer oyster sauce or, in a pinch, hoisin (a little sweet too). I also add about two tablespoons of tomato paste for some red base.”

Simple and easy, MaPo Tofu is just the dish for anyone on busy days. Whether you are a new cook or a pro, it’s a main course you can whip up without thinking.
My niece Carlyne is an epitome of a young working wife and mother of a toddler, with hardly any time to cook, yet still maintains her wholesome meal-planning and regular workouts. Tofu and the ground meat do a perfect dance in this dish. You get silky, soft cloud-like textured tofu prettily grazing the almost crisp pan seared ground pork and beef. The thickened soy sauce base complements the whole dish. And for a little kick, you can add your own chilies and spice, too. It’s truly a forgiving entrée but fills you up just the way you want it to in the shortest time.

Print Recipe

MaPo Tofu

MaPo Tofu is a classic Asian dish with many similarities to Filipino entrees. My version has ground beef and pork stir-fried in a sauce base of soy, hoisin, rice wine and spices. The strong flavors are a good contrast to the simplicity of the firm tofu cubes. This zesty meal is perfect served with steamed jasmine white rice or any boiled rice preferred. This recipe was adapted from The Chinese Takeout Cookbook by Diana Kuan. Serves 4 to 6.
Prep Time16 mins
Cook Time24 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian, Chinese, Filipino
Keyword: Beef Pork Tofu Stir fry
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 477kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 block (3 oz) extra firm tofu drain liquid
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium-sized onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 stalks scallion whites chopped
  • 1 cup beef or chicken broth
  • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 Tablespoons Shao xing rice wine
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water to disperse cornstarch
  • 2 stalks scallion greens chopped, for garnish
  • 2 pieces bird's eye chilies sliced
  • 2 to 3 drops Sriracha sauce to sprinkle
  • steamed rice for serving

Instructions

To cook the tofu:

  • In a large, nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat, add the cooking oil. After 1 to 2 minutes, when oil is hot, add the whole block of tofu. Brown on each side for 2 minutes, using a large turner. Drain tofu on parchment paper to remove excess oil. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.

To cook the ground meat:

  • Using the same skillet, discard the excess oil. Leave 2 tablespoons oil. Tilt the pan around to spread the oil. Over medium-high heat add the ground pork and beef. Cook the meat for 8 minutes. The meat will render its own fat and more oil will be apparent in the skillet. Cook till the meat turns brown and sizzles.
  • Move the meat to the sides of the pan. To the empty space in the center, add the garlic, onions and scallion whites. Saute for 2 minutes.
  • In a separate small bowl combine the following: broth, tomato paste, rice wine, soy sauce, hoisin sauce. Blend well. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the ground meat. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and bird's eye chilies.
  • Continue cooking for 6 to 7 minutes more till meat is completely done.
  • In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water till there are no lumps. Add this slurry to the ground meat in the skillet. Stir a few times so the cornstarch does not stick to the skillet. The liquid will boil in 2 to 3 minutes and will thicken. Add the sesame oil. Turn off the heat.

To assemble the MaPo Tofu:

  • Arrange the ground meat in a bowl. Pour the sauce over it. Garnish with tofu cubes and scallion greens. Drizzle Sriracha sauce all over. Serve warm with rice.

Copyright Notice

  • Hello, Friends! Please DO NOT LIFT OR PLAGIARIZE my original recipe, stories, photos or videos. All the images and content on this blog are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED and owned by my media company Besa-Quirino LLC. This means BY LAW you are NOT allowed to copy, scrape, lift, frame, plagiarize or use my photos, essays, stories and recipe content on your websites, books, films, television shows, videos, without my permission. If you wish to republish this recipe or content on media outlets mentioned above, please ASK MY PERMISSION, or re-write it in your own words and link back to my blog AsianinAmericamag.com to give proper attribution. It is the legal thing to do. Thank you. Email me at [email protected]

Nutrition

Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1096mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 6.7mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2.3mg
13 shares

Filed Under: Beef, Cooking, Dinner, Family, Featured, Lunch, Pork, Uncategorized Tagged With: Asian in America Filipino recipes, Beef recipes, Carlyne Quirino, Diana Kuan's The Chinese Take Out Cookbook, Elizabeth Ann Besa Quirino recipes, family recipes, Filipino food blog, pork recipes, spicy recipes, tofu recipes

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Betty Ann Quintiro, Asian American Recipe Developer, Cookbook Author, Artist

I am Betty Ann Besa-Quirino, author, journalist, food writer, artist. I transform traditional Filipino food and Asian cuisine to everyday dishes in my American kitchen. Read More

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