Spicy & Savory Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl: Quick & Easy Recipe
Spicy & Savory Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl: Quick & Easy Recipe
Making a Delicious Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl with Store-Bought Mapo Tofu Sauce
Who wouldn’t love a hearty rice bowl that’s a meal in itself? This recipe is incredibly quick and satisfying, perfect for busy days. The savory and slightly spicy sauce is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Main Ingredients- 1 block Tofu
- 1/2 Green Onion (Scallion)
- 1 Green Chili Pepper
- 1 Red Chili Pepper
- 1/4 Zucchini
- 1/4 Onion
- 1/2 package Enoki Mushrooms
- 1 package Store-bought Mapo Tofu Sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Who doesn’t love a satisfying rice bowl that makes you want to eat a whole bowl of rice? It’s the perfect dish for today’s weather. You’ll finish a bowl of rice in no time!
Step 2
First, wash all your vegetables. Finely chop the green onion. Remove the seeds from the green and red chili peppers and slice them thinly. Dice the zucchini and onion into about 0.7 cm cubes. Separate the enoki mushrooms by trimming the base. Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sauté the prepared vegetables. Add a tiny pinch of salt; this will enhance the vegetables’ natural sweetness and provide a base seasoning, making the final dish more flavorful.
Step 3
Lightly seasoning the vegetables beforehand ensures a well-balanced flavor profile when combined with the sauce later. It adds a deeper umami taste. Sauté the vegetables just until they start to soften slightly.
Step 4
After lightly stir-frying the vegetables, pour in the store-bought mapo tofu sauce and bring it to a boil over high heat. It’s best to let the sauce come to a simmer before stirring everything together. This step helps to further develop the sauce’s aroma and flavor.
Step 5
Once the sauce begins to bubble, carefully add the cubed tofu. Gently mix everything together using a spoon or spatula, being careful not to break the tofu cubes. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients with the sauce. Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well incorporated.
Step 6
The mapo tofu sauce typically features a rich blend of chili oil and fermented bean paste (doubanjiang), creating a thick, luscious, and slightly spicy flavor profile. The combination of soft tofu and tender vegetables in this delicious sauce is sure to make you devour your rice bowl in an instant! For an extra touch of richness, you can drizzle a little sesame oil on top before serving.
