Sichuan Cuisine

Sichuan cuisine is a type of Chinese cuisine that is known for its bold flavors and use of spicy and numbing ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns. Here’s a recipe for a classic Sichuan dish that you can try at home:

Mapo Tofu

Ingredients:

• 1 block (14 oz) soft tofu, cubed
• 1/4 lb ground pork
• 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons chili bean paste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 scallions, sliced
• Steamed rice, for serving

Instructions:

1. Toast the Sichuan peppercorns in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Crush the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the ground pork and cook until browned and crispy, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
3. Add the minced garlic and chili bean paste to the pan and stir-fry for a few seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the cubed tofu to the pan and stir gently to coat with the sauce. Be careful not to break up the tofu too much.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, and water to make a slurry. Pour the slurry into the pan and gently stir to thicken the sauce.
6. Sprinkle the crushed Sichuan peppercorns over the top of the mapo tofu and garnish with sliced scallions.
7. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy your homemade Sichuan-style mapo tofu!