Mapo Tofu
Recipe by Andrea Nguyen | Total time: 30 minutes You can order mapo tofu from many Chinese restaurants, but it's also quite doable at home. You can find the pivotal fermented chile and broad (fava) bean sauce or paste called doubanjiang (sometimes rendered as "toban djan") at a Chinese market. Look for a doubanjiang from Pixian, in Sichuan, and bear in mind that oilier versions have extra heat but may lack an earthy depth. Sichuan peppercorns add mala — tingly zing — and fermented black beans, called douchi, lend this dish a kick of umami. Ground beef is traditional, but many cooks choose pork; you can also try lamb, turkey thigh or a plant-based meat alternatives. Add chile flakes for extra fire, and balance mapo's intensity with rice and steamed or stir-fried broccoli. Find more fast and delicious dinner recipes in our Weeknight 100. Was this email forwarded to you? You can sign up for Dinner Tonight here. Save and organize your go-to dinner recipes with the New York Times Cooking app. Try the app today. If you like the work we do at New York Times Cooking, please subscribe! Reach out to cookingcare@nytimes.com if you have any questions about your account.
|