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Vegan Mapo Tofu

Vegan Mapo Tofu

This classic Chinese recipe bubbles over with aroma and flavor thanks to umami-rich shiitake mushrooms, fermented black beans, and Sichuan chili bean paste (doubanjiang). It’s fiery and tingly and numbingly spicy in the best kind of way. The classic version includes ground meat, but you won’t miss it in this vegan version where the spice is the star of the show. Best enjoyed over rice for a respite from the heat.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

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Product Size

  • Small Dish
  • Medium Shallow
  • Large Shallow
  • Medium Deep
  • Large Deep

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Free Time

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Ingredients

  • 3-4 (60g) shiitake mushrooms (fresh or rehydrated if dried), diced
  • ½ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons fermented black beans (douchi)
  • 2 teaspoons Sichuan chili bean paste (doubanjiang)
  • ⅔ cup (160ml) vegetable stock or water
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 7 oz (200g) silken tofu, diced medium
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon sesame oil 
  • scallions, thinly sliced (optional)

Preparation

  1. Add the mushrooms, sichuan peppercorns, oil, ginger, garlic, fermented black beans, and chili bean paste to the Anyday dish. Stir to mix. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  2. Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
  3. Add vegetable stock and soy sauce and stir to mix. Carefully place the tofu in the sauce. Cover and cook for 6 mins.
  4. In a separate small bowl, stir cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Add to the Anyday dish. Cover and cook for 2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  5. Garnish with a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of scallions, if using.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Serve over steamed rice and add more spice to your liking.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.