Ma Po Tofu

I would love to say that I have eaten this dish all my life, but in actuality I came across this dish in an Asian market here in town. I have no idea why, but for some reason every few months or so the only thing that sounds good is some tofu. When one of these cravings hits the only thing I can do is take myself off to the Asian market and get some. While racking my brain on how to prepare the tofu I happened across a packet of pre-made sauce for a dish called Ma Po Tofu. I had heard of this dish but had never had it before. After reading the ingredients were only minced pork, scallions, and tofu I figured it would be an easy dish to make. So I tried it out and after that first plate I was hooked. The following year, when I was in Los Angeles, Islaine’s mother took us out to an authentic Chinese restaurant. I asked for this dish and realized that the package stuff I had been eating was no where near as good as the real stuff. Since I am not the worlds greatest Chinese cuisine cook I had problems recreating this dish without the packaged pre-made sauce. Just looking at the ingredients list makes you want to cry out "ai ya" (the Chinese equivalent of the Jewish "oy vey")and give up.



But then I found a thread on eGullet that showed me step by step instructions on how to make this Ma Po Tofu. It looks so easy I knew I had to try it out, so after a trip to the Asian market, I did and boy am I happy now. Never again will I have to use the pre-made sauce. Give it a try, if you can stir-fry you can do this dish. Ah Leung even includes step by step pictures. I will always be grateful for eGullet and Ah Leung who showed me how to make Ma Po Tofu. The recipes make quite a bit but don’t worry you’ll be loving your leftovers, I know I did!

Hzrt8w's (Ah Leung) Ma Po Tofu recipe

Enjoy.