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Vegetarian Mapo Tofu

Prep Time:30 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Servings: 4 minutes

Vegetarian Mapo Tofu is a plant-based twist on the classic Sichuan dish, made with soft tofu simmered in a spicy, savory sauce featuring doubanjiang (chili bean paste), garlic, ginger, and mushrooms or plant-based mince. Bold, flavorful, and satisfying.

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 5 tablespoon canola oil, divided
  • 6 ounce button mushrooms, quartered
  • 1/3 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • one 2-inch long piece of ginger, peeled and minced
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 package firm silken tofu, cubed
  • 2 tablespoon spicy bean paste (mine came in a mini toothpaste-esque tube—it looks like a thicker, lighter sriracha)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • brown rice
  • chopped fresh chives
Directions:
  1. Stick the dried mushrooms in heatproof bowl and cover with the boiling water. Place a paper towel directly onto the top of the water, covering the whole top of bowl, to keep the mushrooms submerged. Let sit until rehydrated, about 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a pan. Add button mushrooms and fry, stirring often, until well browned, 6 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Whisk together vegetable broth, bean paste, and soy sauce. Set aside.
  4. Retrieve rehydrated 'shrooms! Drain well, removing any stemmy or super-tough bits. Give them a rough chop and then add to the fried 'shrooms pile.
  5. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons canola oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, pushing the mess around for a minute or two with a wooden spoon, until fragrant. Add the cubed tofu and vegetable broth mixture, and then simmer for another one to two minutes.
  6. Add corn starch and cook for another minute, while the sauce bubbles and thickens. Stir in mushrooms.
  7. Remove pan from heat, and stir in the sesame oil. Scoop a big ol' heap of the tofu/mushroom/saucy mixture over a bowl of rice, then top with a sprinkling of scallions.
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