Ma-po Tofu

"ma-la" spicy oil (麻辣红油)

• 1/2 cup oil ( peanut or canola )
  
• 1 piece fresh ginger about 1 inch , cut into slices
  
• 2 cloves
  
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
  
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 star anise
  
• 3 tbs red chili flakes or 2 whole chili crushed
• 3 tbs Sichuan red peppercorns
  

1. heat the oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat, add all ingredients, cook for a minute, remove from the heat, let it sit till cool to room temperature.
2. strain oil and store in a jar, discard spices.

"ma-po" tofu （麻婆豆腐）

• 1 tbs oil ( peanut or canola )
  
• 1/4 cup of minced meat
  
• 1 tsp minced ginger
  
• 1 tsp minced garlic
  
• 1 tbs fermented fava bean paste ( 豆瓣酱）
• 1 tbs rice wine
  
• 1 tbs soy sauce
  
• 1 tsp sugar
  
• 1 tsp chopped red chili
  
• 1 cup of tofu, pressed to remove water, and cut into cubes
• 1 tbs chopped green onion
  
• 1 tbs crushed roasted peanuts (optional)
  

1. heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, add ginger, garlic, red chili and fava bean paste, cook for a minute
   
2. add minced meat, rice wine, soy and sugar, stir-fry till the meat is done
   
3. add tofu to the pan, carefully mix with the meat sauce
4. add 1 to 2 tbs ma-la spicy oil, lower the heat to simmer for 10 minutes
5. remove from heat, add green onion, crushed peanuts and salt to taste, serve hot