Mapo Tofu Tots

Mapo tofu is something I tried for the first time only recently, and I was instantly hooked. The flavors are pure comfort food to me. Any dish that can be served on top of rice can easily be served on top of tots.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 545 Calories

Ingredients

• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• ½ pound ground pork
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion, or to taste
• 1 (8 ounce) container firm tofu, cubed
• 1 tablespoon grated garlic
• 1 ¼ pounds frozen bite-sized potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots®)
• 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 ½ tablespoons chopped red chile peppers, divided
• 3 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
• 2 tablespoons fermented bean paste (doubanjiang)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (260 degrees C). Arrange tots on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt.

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn tots over, then continue baking until crispy and hot, 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, grind 1/2 of the peppercorns into a powder. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in remaining whole peppercorns; cook, stirring occasionally, until oil is infused, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard whole peppercorns.

Step 4

Increase heat to medium-high. Stir pork, onion, and 1 tablespoon chiles into the skillet. Cook, stirring to break up lumps, until pork is lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken stock, wine, bean paste, soy sauce, and ground peppercorns. Add tofu and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 6

Stir cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Stir slowly into the tofu and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Transfer tots to a serving platter and top with tofu mixture. Garnish with green onion and remaining red chile peppers.