Szechuan Spicy Tofu with Pork
Szechuan Spicy Tofu with Pork is a deliciously bold dish that brings together the rich flavors of the Szechuan cuisine, characterized by its numbing heat and savory depth. This dish is a comforting combination of silky bean curd and succulent lean pork, simmered in a robust sauce made from chili bean paste and aromatic spices. Originally inspired by tales of a famed 'pock-marked old lady' known for her mouthwatering tofu dishes, this recipe offers a simpler twist while maintaining the essence of traditional flavors. Serve it over steaming mounds of rice for a satisfying meal. You can even adapt it for a vegetarian-friendly feast by omitting the pork or substituting it with plant-based meat alternatives.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
bean curd
1/2-3/4 lb (cut into 0.5-inch cubes and drained)
boneless lean pork
1/4 lb (finely chopped or ground)
soy sauce
3 teaspoons (1 tsp for marinade, 2 tbsp for cooking)
dry sherry
1 teaspoon
sweet bean paste or hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon
vegetable oil or salad oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
gingerroot
1 teaspoon (minced)
Szechuan hot bean sauce (tobanjan or lajiaojiang)
2 teaspoons
garlic
2-3 cloves (minced)
water
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (for sauce and cornstarch slurry)
green onions
2 (thinly sliced)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (for thickening)
Szechuan peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon (roasted and crumbled (optional))
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the bean curd into 0.5-inch cubes. Place the cubes in a colander and allow them to drain for 15 minutes to rid excess moisture.
2
While the tofu is draining, prepare the marinade. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, dry sherry, and sweet bean paste or hoisin sauce. Add the finely chopped or ground pork, mixing well to ensure it’s evenly coated. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and let the mixture marinate for 15 minutes.
3
Heat a wok or a wide frying pan over high heat. Once hot, carefully add the remaining vegetable oil. To check if the oil is ready, sprinkle a few drops of water into it; if it crackles, the oil is hot enough.
4
Add the minced ginger and garlic to the hot oil, letting them sizzle for a brief moment. Stir once quickly before adding the marinated pork. Stir-fry the pork until it is no longer pink, which should take about 2 minutes.
5
Incorporate the hot bean sauce (tobanjan/lajiaojiang) into the pan, allowing the robust flavors to meld.
6
Gently fold in the drained bean curd along with 3/4 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, cooking for about 3 minutes.
7
After simmering, add the sliced green onions to the pan. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to form a slurry. Pour the slurry into the pan while stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and bubbles appear—this will happen quickly.
8
For an extra kick, sprinkle the roasted and crumbled Szechuan peppercorns over the dish just before serving.
9
Serve the spicy tofu and pork mix over hot white rice, pairing it with stir-fried vegetables like Chinese broccoli or bok choy for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Szechuan Spicy Tofu with Pork?
Szechuan Spicy Tofu with Pork is a bold dish featuring silky bean curd and succulent lean pork simmered in a robust sauce of chili bean paste and aromatic spices.
What are the signature flavors of Szechuan cuisine?
Szechuan cuisine is characterized by its numbing heat and savory depth.
How should the bean curd be prepared?
The bean curd should be cut into 0.5-inch cubes, placed in a colander, and drained for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
How do I marinate the pork?
Combine 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, dry sherry, and sweet bean paste or hoisin sauce with the finely chopped or ground pork, then stir in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can adapt it for a vegetarian-friendly feast by omitting the pork or substituting it with plant-based meat alternatives.
What type of oil is recommended for stir-frying?
You can use vegetable oil or salad oil for this recipe.
How can I tell if the oil is hot enough?
Sprinkle a few drops of water into the oil; if it crackles, the oil is ready for cooking.
When should I add the ginger and garlic?
Add the minced ginger and garlic to the hot oil and let them sizzle briefly before adding the marinated pork.
How long should the pork be stir-fried?
Stir-fry the pork for about 2 minutes, or until it is no longer pink.
What is 'tobanjan' or 'lajiaojiang'?
These are terms for Szechuan hot bean sauce, which is incorporated into the pan to provide robust flavor.
What liquids are added to the pan after the bean sauce?
Gently fold in the drained bean curd along with 3/4 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
How long does the tofu mixture simmer?
The mixture should come to a simmer and cook for approximately 3 minutes.
When do I add the green onions?
Add the sliced green onions to the pan after the mixture has finished simmering.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Create a slurry by whisking together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water, then pour it into the pan while stirring continuously.
How do I know when the sauce is ready?
The sauce is ready once it thickens and bubbles appear, which happens quickly after adding the cornstarch slurry.
What adds the final 'kick' to the dish?
Roasted and crumbled Szechuan peppercorns sprinkled over the dish just before serving provide an extra kick.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Serve the spicy tofu and pork over hot white rice for a satisfying meal.
What vegetables pair well with Szechuan Spicy Tofu?
It pairs well with stir-fried vegetables such as Chinese broccoli or bok choy.
Who is the historical inspiration for this recipe?
The dish is inspired by tales of a famed 'pock-marked old lady' known for her mouthwatering tofu dishes.
What is a good substitute for sweet bean paste?
Hoisin sauce can be used as a substitute for sweet bean paste in the pork marinade.
What amount of tofu is required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 to 3/4 lb of bean curd.
What cut of pork should I use?
The recipe requires 1/4 lb of boneless lean pork, finely chopped or ground.
How much ginger and garlic are needed?
Use 1 teaspoon of minced gingerroot and 2 to 3 cloves of minced garlic.
How many green onions are used?
The recipe uses 2 thinly sliced green onions.
Is the Szechuan peppercorn mandatory?
No, the roasted and crumbled Szechuan peppercorns are optional.
How much soy sauce is needed in total?
You will need 3 teaspoons total: 1 teaspoon for the marinade and 2 tablespoons (roughly 6 teaspoons) for the cooking process.
Is this considered a quick meal?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as a quick meal and an easy recipe.
What type of food category does this fall under?
It is categorized as Asian comfort food.
How long is the total preparation time for the tofu and pork?
Draining the tofu and marinating the pork both take 15 minutes, and the cooking time is approximately 10 minutes.
What is the texture of the bean curd in this dish?
The dish is known for its silky bean curd texture.