Simmered Spicy Tofu with Beef

Serving Size: 8

This flavorful simmered beef and tofu recipe was submitted by one of our San Francisco East Bay plaform chefs, Chef Jun Cai. It would go great with an oder of white rice!

Recipe by: Chef Jun Cai

Cook Times

Active Prep15

Hands-On Cook20

Hands-Off Cook0

Passive0

Total Time35

Recipe Serving Size8

Cooking Tools Required

Cutting board, Measuring cups and spoons, Mixing spoon, Saute pan, Sharp Knives, Wok, Wooden Spatula

Ingredients

8 ounce 80% lean ground beef
2 tablespoon avocado oil
3 tablespoon Doubanjiang (spicy Sichuan paste)
4 stalk green onion chopped
8 clove garlic chopped
1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
28 ounce firm tofu
4 teaspoon light soy sauce
2 teaspoon oyster sauce
3 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
2 teaspoon granulated sugar or to taste
1 cup water

Optional:

2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn oil

Instructions

In a large wok heat the oil add the ground beef and Doubanjiang. Cook over medium heat and chop the ground meat into small bits with a spatula, until beef is evenly coated with Doubanjiang and fully cooked through.
Add green onion, garlic, ginger and stir fry for another minute.
Spread tofu evenly on top of ground beef. Add five-spice powder, and sugar. Pour in the water and cook until brought to a simmer.
Simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to half the original amount. Taste the tofu with some sauce (be careful, it will be very hot!).
Adjust seasoning by adding salt if needed. If the dish is too spicy, add another teaspoon of sugar to balance it out. Gently mix well with spatula.
Mix cornstarch water again until fully dissolved and swirl it into the skillet. Gently stir a few times with a spatula, until sauce thickens. Turn off heat and transfer everything to a bowl.
Garnish with extra green onion and a small of the Sichuan peppercorns oil, if using. Serve hot over steamed rice or by itself as main.

Reheating Instructions

Heat in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through, or in the microwave on medium power.

Nutrition