Ma Po Tofu 麻婆豆腐

Ingredients
1 pack firm tofu, 500g
200g ground pork, marinated with soy sauce and corn flour
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tbsp chili bean paste
1 tsp fermented black beans
1 tbsp ground Sichuan pepper
1 tbsp light soy sauce
Sugar to taste
Water
Cooking oil
Scallions, for garnish


Method
Cut tofu into cubes, drained and set aside.

Heat oil in wok and stir fry ground pork till just cooked. Dish and set aside. Heat oil and saute garlic till fragrant. Add chili bean paste, fermented black beans and stir fry briefly before adding tofu cubes. Add some water, Sichuan pepper, soy sauce and sugar to taste. Gently stir the tofu so that they mixed well and not breaking.

Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes till the sauce thickens. Return pork and gently mix all ingredients together. Sprinkle some scallions before serving.

* Read about the story and origin of Ma Po Tofu here.