Ma Po Tofu

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 3 inches fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh shiitake mushroom
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 lb firm tofu, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 6 garlic cloves
• 5 green onions, sliced finely
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 4-5 tablespoons hot black bean sauce (mash beans into a paste)
• 1 tablespoon szechwan stir-fry sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot chili oil
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water

marinade

• 1 green onion, finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

1. 1

   Place 1 tablespoon of the chopped ginger into a large zip-lock bag, and reserve the remainder.

2. 2

   Add the remaining marinade ingredients to the bowl (1 sliced green onion, 1 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons dry sherry, 2 teaspoons cornstarch), and mix well.

3. 3

   Add the ground pork, mix marinade and ground pork together, and put in refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

4. 4

   Remove hard stems from Shiitake mushrooms and slice finely.

5. 5

   Blanch the tofu in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain.

6. 6

   Combine the garlic with the reserved ginger, and process together with a stick blender or spice grinder until they form a thick paste.

7. 7

   Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.

8. 8

   Add the Sesame and Olive Oil (2 tbsp sesame, 1 tbsp olive) and just as it is starting to smoke, add the garlic/ginger pasted and stir-fry, stirring continuously for approximately 30 seconds (take care not to burn the mixture).

9. 9

   Next add the Black Bean Hot Sauce, Szechwan Stir Fry Sauce, Chili Oil, Shiitake mushrooms, and stir-fry for approximately 60 seconds.

10. 10

    Stir meat mixture, add it to the skillet, and continue to stir-fry over high heat for two to three minutes, until it looses its pinkish color.

11. 11

    Toss in the tofu and the sliced green onions and continue to fry for about 45 seconds.

12. 12

    Pour in the soy sauce and water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to moderate and cook for a couple of minutes.

13. 13

    If there appears to be too much liquid in the pan contents, thicken with a little cornstarch and water.

14. 14

    Serve with steamed rice.