tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086689852914881504.post6025701075774028148..comments2023-10-11T23:14:29.814+09:00Comments on Somedays: A kick in the cooking buttSomedaysSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485017469544064676noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086689852914881504.post-56746834857824845012009-06-29T07:26:51.394+09:002009-06-29T07:26:51.394+09:00Good luck and enjoy! Maybe we can also find a good...Good luck and enjoy! Maybe we can also find a good Chinese restaurant in Berlin so we can enjoy some together... <br />love and hugs, CAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086689852914881504.post-84934784995517268382009-06-28T23:50:49.503+09:002009-06-28T23:50:49.503+09:00Mmmmm! Thank you! I'm looking forward to mak...Mmmmm! Thank you! I'm looking forward to making up a batch of this soon.SomedaysSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07485017469544064676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086689852914881504.post-86474911320158412452009-06-28T00:07:55.988+09:002009-06-28T00:07:55.988+09:00Here it is! Tofu is definitely one of my comfort f...Here it is! Tofu is definitely one of my comfort foods too! Enjoy! love and hugs, C<br /><br />Mapo tofu<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />2 or more blocks of firm tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes<br />2 Tbsps oil<br />75 g ground lean pork (or 2-3 Tbsps, not very much)<br />1 Tbsp minced green onion (white part, reserve green part for garnish)<br />1 tsp minced garlic (I usually put more, 3 tsps)<br />1 tsp minced ginger<br />1 Tbsp hot bean paste*<br />1 cup water or stock (chicken or vegetable buillon cube stock is fine) <br />1 Tbsp soy sauce<br />1 Tbsp rice cooking wine (Chinese Shao Hsing red label)<br />1/2 tsp salt (or less)<br />1-2 tsps cornstarch dissolved in 1-2 Tbsps cold water<br /><br />Garnish:<br />½ tsp sesame oil<br />¼ tsp Szechuan or white pepper powder (optional)<br />Dash of minced green onion tips<br /><br />Instructions:<br />Heat 2 Tbsps oil in wok, stir fry pork until pink and remove the pork. Stir fry minced green onion, garlic and ginger with remaining oil until fragrant. Add in hot bean paste, mix well, then add water, soy sauce, cooking wine and salt. Add tofu and pork. Bring to boil and simmer over low heat for 3-5 minutes. Add cornstarch/water mixture. Cook a few minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Transfer to serving bowl, and sprinkle with minced green onion, pepper and sesame oil. <br /><br />*Note on hot bean paste<br />I now use the brand, ‘Lao Gan Ma,’ in bottle with black and white photo of old Chinese lady; or you can use any other popular brand of mapo tofu hot bean sauce. With each brand you will have to test for flavour, adding more or less according to your desired level of spiciness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086689852914881504.post-439955834830332012009-06-27T15:03:37.092+09:002009-06-27T15:03:37.092+09:00I desperately need your recipe for what in Japan i...I desperately need your recipe for what in Japan is called Mapo Tofu. I've found it is my comfort dish - when I get stressed it is the first thing I want to eat! There used to be a decent (and very cheap) mapo tofu joint right around the corner from school, but it has been replaced by a sushi shop so I'm going to have to learn how to make the dish so I can get my fix that way!SomedaysSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07485017469544064676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086689852914881504.post-71916586566903384772009-06-25T02:04:54.097+09:002009-06-25T02:04:54.097+09:00And I am proud of you too! Looking forward to hear...And I am proud of you too! Looking forward to hearing more about your Japanese creations. I also found it really hard to motivate myself when I was alone, and even now, I still sometimes need a 'kick in the cooking butt'! What a great memorable phrase!<br />love and hugs,<br />CathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com