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Ground Pork Mapo Tofu

This ground pork mapo tofu is a straight up Asian comfort food. Packed full of ground pork, firm tofu, ginger, green onions, hoisin sauce and garlic chile sauce. This dish is hearty and best served over rice or just straight from the pot! Plus it’s ready in just 30 minutes! 

I’m gonna whine for a hot second – I have bronchitis. UGH! I got a cold on the 10th and it was super normal but then all of a sudden I started coughing and it would. not. go. away. I ended up coughing so hard I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my sockets. THEN I would go a few hours and be like “I haven’t coughed. I bet I’m getting better!” then a coughing fit would hit and BOOM I was def not better.

So after a weekend of gross coughing, I decided to finally see my doctor. I was sure she would be all “listen, it’s a cold. Suck it up buttercup!” But instead, she was all “Your right ear has an infection, your lungs are congested and I hear wheezing. You need an antibiotic.” Well, it’s better than what I secretly thought I had which was whooping cough. I was dead set that I had since I recently read an article about how it was spreading like wildfire. Luckily it wasn’t that and instead it’s a simple little thing that can be fixed with a z-pack and some super helpful cough syrup. (And by super helpful cough syrup I mean holy shit this stuff is so good I wish they sold it over the counter but I get that it’s basically liquid narcotics so I see why they won’t but OMG it works so well!)

So, I’m pumped full of antibiotics and cough syrup while I write this post and down my nightly mug of tea. I’m hoping that in the morning this post even makes sense because as we previously discussed this medicine is the bomb! Not coughing for a whole night is the best thing EVER!

Now, for healing purposes, I plan on eating a lot of comfort food and drinking lots of tea. This dish is the type of comfort food I crave when I’m not feeling well. It sticks to your ribs and basically makes your stomach feel like it’s being hugged with love. Ok, that is super freaking corny BUT it’s the type of food that just makes you feel full and happy.

And yes I KNOW it’s yet again another Asian dish but I can’t help it. It’s like my blog just all of a sudden turned half Asian cuisine. I’m assuming you all don’t mind though because my newsletter unsubscribes is still the usual 5 per week. PLUS why would you mind when it’s quick, easy and delicious take out fake out type of meals?

If you have never heard of ground pork mapo tofu before I really think you’re going to love this dish. First, you start with ground pork that you season with ginger, Sichuan pepper, garlic chile sauce, hoisin sauce and green onions. It’s cooked down and then you throw in some chicken stock and create a luxurious sauce that is perfect when slurped up plain or soaked into rice. Oh, and then you throw in some firm tofu and call this dish a meal! I also love to tear some fresh basil on top because I love the brightness it brings to the finished dish. If you’re lucky enough to have Thai basil on hand use that baby up!

Looking for even more easy fake out take out recipe ideas? Try my Spicy Pork Noodle BowlHealthier General Tso’s Chicken20 Minute Healthier Orange ChickenGround Pork Chinese Chili20 Minute Beef Snow Pea SkilletSpicy Garlic Pork Stir Fry or my Tom Kha Gai {Chicken Coconut Soup}

Ground Pork Mapo Tofu

This ground pork mapo tofu is a straight up Asian comfort food. Packed full of ground pork, firm tofu, ginger, green onions, hoisin sauce and garlic chile sauce. This dish is hearty and best served over rice or just straight from the pot! Plus it's ready in just 30 minutes!

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 8 ounces ground pork
  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 4 scallions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 1 pound firm tofu, drained, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for topping
  • Steamed rice, for serving

Directions:

In a large skillet add vegetable oil and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot add the ground pork and cook for 5 minutes.

Add in the garlic, ginger, lemongrass paste and scallions. Cook till fragrant and the pork no longer looks pink.

Add in the tomato paste and ground Sichuan peppercorns. Mix to combine and cook for about 1 minute.

Pour in chicken stock, hoisin sauce, fish sauce and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch and water. Pour into the meat mixture and continue simmering until the mixture is thick.

Gently fold in the tofu and let it warm through. Be careful when stirring so you don't break up the tofu.

Sprinkle torn basil leaves and green onions over the top if desired.

Serve with rice.