It's quick. It's easy. It makes otherwise flavorless foods taste amazing. No, it's not hamburger helper; it's mapo tofu mix! If you're a fan of Szechuan style Chinese food (there are about a million such restaurants throughout NYC; chances are, you've ordered take out from one of them), you recognize the name. Mapo tofu is a popular staple of that particular type of cuisine, and while the flavor is incredibly deep it is quite simple to make with the proper ingredients. Here is what you'll need:
1 package of firm tofu
1 package mapo tofu mix (found in your local Asian market; if you're in NYC, search "Sunrise Mart" in your Google Map to find the location closest to you)
1 cup scallions, chopped
1/2 lb ground pork
2tbsp chili oil(also found at Sunrise; you can get a small cup for 50 cents from your neighborhood Chinese takeout place as well )
2tbsp sake
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp miso paste (found at local Asian market or Sunrise)
First, chop the tofu into 1"x 1" squares. Toss into a pot of boiling water and let boil about 10 minutes.
Coat a large pan with the chili oil. Add chopped garlic and scallions; sautee over a medium flame. After a minute and a half add the pork, then marinate with soy sauce, sake, and sugar (respectively). Mix and add miso. Continue to mix. Once tofu is finished boiling, drain and add to the pan. Empty the contents of the box into the pan, stir over the flame for another minute or two, and serve.
