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Ma-Po Tofu
Recipe courtesy Gourmet Magazine
Show:  Sara's Secrets
Episode:  Budget Gourmet:Grind It Up!
This fiery Sichuan classic is named for the pockmarked (po) wife (ma) who supposedly invented it at her husband's restaurant.

Sauce:
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons hot bean paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Kosher salt
1 pound regular or soft (not silken) tofu, drained and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons corn, peanut or canola oil
1/2 pound ground pork shoulder (preferably 75 percent lean)
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon finely minced peeled ginger
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons Japanese sesame oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon toasted sansho powder
3 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions
Accompaniment: steamed rice

To make the sauce: Stir together broth, bean paste, soy sauce, and kosher salt. Set aside.

To poach the tofu: Slide tofu into a saucepan of simmering water and keep at a bare simmer while stir-frying rest of dish.

To stir-fry the pork: Heat a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until hot and add 1 1/2 tablespoons corn oil, swirling to coat. Add pork and stir-fry, breaking up lumps and adding remaining 1/2 tablespoon corn oil if meat sticks, until no longer pink. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry over moderate heat until very fragrant, about 2 minutes.

To finish the stir-fry: Stir reserved sauce, then add to pork and bring to a simmer. Drain tofu in a large sieve and slide into sauce, stirring gently.

Stir cornstarch mixture and add to stir-fry. Bring to a boil, stirring gently, and cook until thickened and glossy, about 15 seconds.

Turn off heat and sprinkle with sesame oil, sansho powder, to taste, and 2 tablespoons scallion. Stir once or twice, then serve sprinkled with remaining tablespoon scallion.

Other Recipes from this Episode
Turkey Burgers with Tomato Corn Salsa
Mom's Meatball Stroganoff
Ruthie's Summer Camp Zucchini
Oven Baked Rosemary Potato Chips

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 3 to 4 servings

  Sara Moulton
User Rating4 Stars
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