Vegan Ma Po Tofu Recipes

Steps:

• Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
• Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
• Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
• Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.

Steps:

• Mix vegetable broth, maple syrup, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Heat peanut oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, black beans, green onions, garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns. Saute until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add chili bean paste and the soy sauce mixture. Cook and stir until thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Add tofu; cook until heated through, about 1 minute more.
• Transfer cooked tofu to a serving dish; drizzle chile oil and sesame oil on top. Top with chopped peanuts.

Steps:

• In a wok over medium heat, heat olive oil until shimmering. Add 1/2 teaspoon Szechwan pepper, and stir rapidly for 30 seconds. Add garlic, and stir rapidly for 30 seconds. Remove wok from heat, and add oyster sauce, 1 cup water, hot bean paste, soy sauce, sugar, 1 teaspoon chili sesame oil, Thai chili, a pinch of white pepper, vinegar and tofu.
• Place wok over high heat and cook until bubbling, about 3 to 5 minutes.Add the preserved vegetable. As it begins to heat up, adjust hot bean paste as desired, a teaspoon at a time, up to 3 teaspoons. (This amount will make it tear-inducing hot, the fieriness that Susur Lee likes.) The sauce will begin to thicken, just slightly.
• In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water. Pour into the wok, stirring very gently,so as not to break up the tofu. Simmer until sauce is glossy, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Transfer to a medium serving bowl, and garnish with drained julienned ginger, coriander leaves and stems, a drizzle of sesame oil, red bell pepper, and, if desired, a sprinkle of Szechwan pepper. If desired, serve with rice.

Steps:

• Cover the mushrooms with hot water and let stand 1 hour. Drain and cut into 1/8-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Place the tofu in a large sieve. Bring 8 cups (2 L) of water to a boil. Pour into a metal bowl just larger than the sieve and place the sieve inside. Let soak for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Mix 5 tablespoons. of cold water with the broth, chili oil, bean sauce, cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or heavy, large skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the mushroom pieces and "beef" and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir the broth mixture and add to the wok with the peas and carrots. Stir-fry until reaches a boil, about 1 minute. Add the tofu and toss gently to coat. Cook 2 1/2 minutes, tossing gently.
• Divide between plates. Garnish with the cilantro and sprinkle with the pepper.

Steps:

• Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in one cup of water for 1-2 hours or until soft. Save the water. Finely dice the mushrooms.
• In a skillet, heat sesame seed oil and sauté minced ginger and garlic. Add carrots and sauté. Add mushrooms and peas and sauté.
• Add diced tofu and 1 cup water used for soaking mushrooms.
• Add salt, tamari, and 1 - 2 tsp chili paste (depending on how spicy you want). Cook until everything is heated through.
• In a small bowl, dissolve potato starch in 2 Tbsp water. Lower the heat and add the mixture. Stir until the liquid gets thick. Turn off the heat.
• Transfer the dish to plates and sprinkle sliced green onions.