Authentic Mapo Tofu

Steps

▶ Tap a timecode to jump to roughly that moment in the video.

1. 1
   Blanch the soft tofu in salted boiling water until it returns to a boil, then drain.
   ▶ ≈2:16
2. 2
   Prepare the Chinese leeks by smacking them gently, then cut them into pieces, separating the white and green parts.
   ▶ ≈1:20
3. 3
   Heat a pan with oil over high heat and brown the ground pork until cooked through.
   ▶ ≈2:56
4. 4
   Add minced garlic, broad bean paste, fermented black beans, and chili flakes, stirring until fragrant.
   ▶ ≈3:33
5. 5
   Add soy sauce and chicken stock or water.
   ▶ ≈4:04
6. 6
   Bring to a boil, then add the drained tofu and gently stir.
   ▶ ≈4:45
7. 7
   Add the white parts of the Chinese leeks and cook for a few minutes.
   ▶ ≈5:12
8. 8
   Add the green parts of the leeks and cook for about half a minute.
   ▶ ≈5:46
9. 9
   Thicken the sauce with potato starch or corn starch slurry, repeating if needed.
   ▶ ≈6:04
10. 10
    Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
    ▶ ≈6:48
11. 11
    Pour into a bowl and finish with a sprinkle of Sichuan pepper powder for the numbing flavor.
    ▶ ≈7:19