Here’s a simple recipe for a delicious and spicy Vegetarian Mapo Tofu that can serve about 4 people. This dish is a Szechuan classic originally made with minced meat, but here, we swap it for mushrooms and other delicious vegetarian ingredients.

Vegetarian Mapo Tofu in the photo.

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Doubanjiang (fermented broad bean paste)
• 1 tablespoon Chinkiang vinegar (black vinegar) or rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

For the Stir-Fry:

• 1 block of firm tofu (about 14 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 200g (about 7 oz) mushrooms (shiitake or button), finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns (adjust for spice preference)
• 1-2 green onions (scallions), chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional for thickening)
• Cooked rice (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tofu:

   • Press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place a weight on top for about 15 minutes. Once pressed, cut it into cubes.

2. Make the Sauce:

   • In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, Doubanjiang, Chinkiang vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside.

3. Cook the Tofu:

   • In a non-stick or cast-iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the tofu cubes and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

   • In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft.
   • Add the minced garlic, ginger, and chopped mushrooms. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked and all moisture has evaporated.

5. Combine Ingredients:

   • Stir in the Szechuan peppercorns and the prepared sauce. Return the tofu to the skillet and gently coat all the ingredients with the sauce.
   • If you’d like a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch mixture while stirring continuously to incorporate.

6. Cook Everything Together:

   • Allow the tofu to simmer in the sauce for about 5-10 minutes. This will help the tofu absorb the flavors.

7. Serve:

   • Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy!

Feel free to adjust the heat level by adding more or less Doubanjiang and Szechuan peppercorns according to your taste preference. Enjoy your delicious Vegetarian Mapo Tofu!