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Ingredients
• 14 oz tofu, firm or silken, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns, ground
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
• 6 oz ground turkey, lean
• 3 tablespoons doubanjiang (spicy bean paste)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce, low sodium
• 1/2 cup chicken stock, low sodium
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped (for garnish)
- Press the tofu blocks between clean kitchen towels or paper towels to drain excess water, then cut the tofu into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Heat up the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and stir-fry the ground Sichuan peppercorns for about 1 minute or until aromatic.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Increase the heat to medium-high, add the chopped green onions, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet and break it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink inside, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the doubanjiang (spicy bean paste) and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
- Pour in the low sodium soy sauce and the low sodium chicken stock, followed by the sugar, stirring well to combine all the ingredients.
- Carefully place the cubed tofu into the crockpot, then pour the turkey and sauce mixture over the tofu.
- Set the crockpot to low and cook for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the tofu to absorb the flavors.
- About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with water until dissolved and stir into the crockpot to thicken the sauce.
- Finalize the dish by stirring in the sesame oil and black pepper. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro just before serving.
- Serve the Healthy Crockpot Chinese Mapo Tofu hot with steamed rice or your choice of side.
Q1: Can I use a different protein instead of ground turkey in the Healthy Crockpot Chinese Mapo Tofu recipe?
A1: Yes, you can substitute the ground turkey with ground chicken, pork, or beef according to your preference.
Q2: Can I make this Healthy Crockpot Chinese Mapo Tofu recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?
A2: Yes, this dish reheats well. You can make it ahead of time and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Q3: Is there a substitute for Sichuan peppercorns if I can't find them?
A3: If you can't find Sichuan peppercorns, you can use black peppercorns as an alternative, but the flavor profile will be slightly different.
