「Mapo Tofu」

Ingredients and amounts

• Silken tofu: 1 box
• Salted duck egg: 1
• Pork belly: 20-30g
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Ginger: 2 slices
• Bird's eye chilies: 5
• Garlic chili sauce: 5g
• Sichuan peppercorns: 20
• Salt: 3g
• Soy sauce: 10g

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Step 1

   Finely chop the garlic and ginger. Set aside.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Slice the bird's eye chilies into rings. Set aside.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Mince the pork belly (skip if using pre-minced pork).

4. 4

   Step 4

   Mix half the salt and soy sauce into the minced pork. Set aside.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Cut the salted duck egg in half lengthwise with a knife (be careful). Remove the yolk (must remove to avoid fishiness). Crush the egg white into pieces about 2mm x 2mm. Set aside.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Open the tofu package. Use a fruit knife to cut the tofu into pieces about 2.5cm x 3cm while still in the box. Set aside.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Heat the wok and add 10-15ml cooking oil. Wait 10 seconds for the oil to heat up.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Reduce to low heat. Add the garlic, ginger, chili rings, Sichuan peppercorns, salted duck egg white, and garlic chili sauce. Stir-fry for 20 seconds until fragrant.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Increase to medium heat. Add the minced pork and stir-fry for about 1 minute until the meat changes color.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Reduce to low heat. Add the tofu. Sprinkle the remaining salt and soy sauce evenly over the tofu.

11. 11

    Step 11

    Pour boiling water along the edge of the wok (to avoid breaking the tofu) until the tofu is just submerged.

12. 12

    Step 12

    Turn the heat to high. Once the water boils, immediately reduce to medium heat and cook for about 10 minutes.

13. 13

    Step 13

    When the liquid has reduced to 1/5 and the tofu surface is colored, turn off the heat and transfer to a serving plate.