Mushroom Mapo Tofu: A Spicy and Flavorful Chinese Dish

Mapo tofu is a classic Chinese dish that is known for its spicy and flavorful sauce. The dish is made with tofu, ground pork, and a variety of spices, including chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, and fermented black beans. Mushroom mapo tofu is a variation of the traditional dish that adds mushrooms to the mix, creating a more complex and earthy flavor.

Ingredients

* 1 pound firm tofu, drained and pressed * 1/2 pound ground pork * 1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes * 1/4 cup chopped onion * 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper * 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper * 2 cloves garlic, minced * 1 tablespoon ginger, minced * 1/4 cup chili oil * 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground * 1 tablespoon fermented black beans, chopped * 1/4 cup soy sauce * 1/4 cup chicken broth * 1 tablespoon cornstarch * 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. 2. Heat the chili oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 3. Add the ground pork and cook until browned. 4. Add the onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, and ginger to the skillet and cook until softened. 5. Drain the mushrooms and chop them. Add them to the skillet and cook until softened. 6. Stir in the Sichuan peppercorns, fermented black beans, soy sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. 7. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Add this mixture to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens. 8. Add the tofu to the skillet and cook until heated through. 9. Serve over rice or noodles.

Tips

* For a vegetarian version of this dish, omit the ground pork and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. * If you don't have dried shiitake mushrooms, you can use fresh mushrooms instead. * To make the dish spicier, add more chili oil or Sichuan peppercorns. * To make the dish less spicy, omit the chili oil or reduce the amount.