Sichuan Style Vegan Mapo Tofu

This is an easy dish that can be prepared in a short amount of time. In traditional mapo tofu
recipes, ground pork and chili bean paste (a.k.a. doubanjiang) are the two key ingredients. 

Ingredients

• 4½ cups water
• ¾ tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 pound (454 g) firm tofu, drain and cut into 1½” cubes
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root, finely chopped
• ½ tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
• ½ tablespoon paprika powder
• ¼ cup shiitake mushroom chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion

Garnishing

• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion

Instructions

1. Bring 4½ cups of water and ¾ tablespoon kosher salt in a saucepan to a boil. Add tofu and cover the saucepan with lid. Bring the water to a boil again and then turn down to medium heat with gentle boiling. Approximately 4 minutes. Save the brine water for later. 
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a sauté pan over high heat. When the oil is hot, reduce heat to medium low and add ½ tablespoon Sichuan peppercorn. Stir continuously for 1 minute and let the flavor of the peppercorns become infused into the oil. Do not burn them, otherwise the dish will taste bitter.
3. Use a ladle to scoop out the peppercorns and discard them. Add paprika powder into the hot oil. Wait for 30 seconds.
4. Use a ladle to scoop out the boiled tofu and then add them to the hot oil with paprika powder. Gently stir for a few seconds. Add shiitake mushroom chili sauce and 11/3 cup of the brine water. Stir gently to combine. Cover the sauté pan with lid and bring the liquid to a boil. Cook under medium heat for approximately 3 minutes.
5. Add the cornstarch and water mixture. Stir gently to combine. Turn off heat. Add garlic, ginger, and green onion.
6. Transfer the cooked mapo tofu into a serving dish. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle Sichuan peppercorn powder and green onion on top. Serve with steamed rice.

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