Baek Jong-won's Easy Mapo Tofu Recipe

Yields: 4 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Mapo Sauce:

• Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1 cup
• Minced garlic: 1 cup
• Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 1 cup
• Sugar: 1 cup
• Soy sauce: 1 cup
• Mirin (sweet rice wine) or cooking sake: 1 cup

Mapo Tofu Main Dish:

• Firm tofu: 1 block (cut into approximately 1-inch cubes)
• Ground pork: 450g
• Cooking oil: 1/4 cup
• Onion: 1 (minced)
• Scallions: 4 (minced)
• Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon
• Water: 1/4 cup
• Salt and pepper: to taste

Instructions

1. Make the Mapo Sauce

1. In a large bowl, combine gochujang, minced garlic, gochugaru, sugar, soy sauce, and mirin.
2. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.

• Tip: Making the sauce ahead of time enhances the depth of flavor.

2. Prepare the Tofu

1. Wrap the tofu in paper towels and gently press to remove excess moisture.

3. Cook the Pork

1. Heat cooking oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground pork and break it up with a spoon, cooking until browned.
3. Remove the cooked pork and set aside.

4. Sauté the Onion

1. Add the minced onion to the same pan and sauté until translucent.

5. Combine Ingredients

1. Return the cooked pork to the pan.
2. Add the matured mapo sauce and bring to a simmer over low heat.
3. Carefully add the tofu and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, allowing the tofu to absorb the sauce.

6. Adjust Sauce Thickness (Optional)

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
2. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering pan, stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened.

7. Finish and Serve

1. Garnish with scallions for added aroma.
2. Serve hot over rice.

Cooking Tips

• Tofu Preparation: Thoroughly removing excess moisture from the tofu prevents it from crumbling during cooking.
• Spice Level Adjustment: Adjust the amount of gochujang and gochugaru to control the spiciness.
• Adding More Ingredients: Feel free to add other vegetables such as shiitake mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
• Sauce Storage: The mapo sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Plating

• Serve the mapo tofu hot over rice.
• Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds for added visual appeal.

Enjoy this simple yet flavorful Mapo Tofu recipe inspired by Baek Jong-won! 😋