Fiery red tofu cubes sitting amidst a shimmering sauce is observed from above. Specks of green onions and parsley are scattered. Strips of white, tender parsley roots lay tastefully around the edge. The dish is a tasteful riot of color and texture.

Parsley Root Mapo Tofu

Name: Parsley Root Mapo Tofu
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: firm tofu, 1.76 lbs cubed and blanched; medium parsley roots, 2 sliced into thin strips; Szechuan peppercorns, 3 tablespoons; chili bean paste, 5 tablespoons; spring onions, 5 chopped; garlic cloves, 3 minced; cornstarch, 2 tablespoons to thicken; light soy sauce, 4 tablespoons; vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons; Salt and White pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Chinese

Technique Stir frying

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: December 09, 2024

Savour the tantalizing East-meets-West fusion with our 'Parsley Root Mapo Tofu'. This uncommon recipe fuses Western root vegetable with iconic Chinese spicy tofu. Parsley root lends an earthy undertone that blends perfectly with spicy Szechuan peppercorns.

Ingredients (for 4)

Firm tofu - 1.76 lbs - cubed and blanched
Medium parsley roots - 2 - sliced into thin strips
Szechuan peppercorns - 3 tablespoons
Chili bean paste - 5 tablespoons
Spring onions - 5 - chopped
Garlic cloves - 3 - minced
Cornstarch - 2 tablespoons - to thicken
Light soy sauce - 4 tablespoons
Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt and white pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🍳🌶️

Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add Szechuan peppercorns, and cook until fragrant.
Step 2 - 🥄🧄🌶️

Next, add in the minced garlic and chili bean paste to the skillet. Stir well.
Step 3 - 🔥🥄🍲

Add the blanched tofu to the skillet, and gently stir until the tofu cubes are well coated with the sauce.
Step 4 - 🔪🌱⏲️

Stir in the thinly sliced parsley roots. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
Step 5 - 🥣💧🍲

In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water. Pour this mixture into the skillet, stirring well until the sauce thickens.
Step 6 - 🥄🧂🍲

Season the dish with light soy sauce, salt, and white pepper to taste.
Step 7 - 🔪🌱🍲

Lastly, garnish the dish with chopped spring onions and serve it hot.

Additional

This dish is not only appealing to the palate but also a feast for eyes, which makes it a big hit on visual platforms like Instagram. The dish traces its origin to the Chinese province of Sichuan, known for its bold flavours. For protein variety, you can replace tofu with shrimp or chicken, but make sure to adjust cooking time accordingly. Don't hesitate to get your kids involved, they can easily blanch tofu under your supervision.