Chinese Mabo Tofu… From A Box
Another Asian meal-in-a-box! Well, not really, it’s basically just a sauce packet, but add in some meat (if you want), veggies, tofu, and rice - and it’s a spicy Chinese meal! You can find these sauces in most Asian groceries as well and even in some mega-marts, they are relatively popular.
Ingredients:
- 1 packet of Chinese Mabo Tofu Sauce
- 1 package of firm or silken tofu (14 oz)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 pound ground beef
- Optional: bag of frozen veggies (peas, carrots, corn)
- Optional: steamed rice to go with it
Directions: (click on images to enlarge)
1. Thaw ground beef (mine is usually frozen)
2. Cube tofu into 1/2″ cubes.
3. Defrost frozen veggies (nuke in microwave for couple minutes)
3. Pour oil into wok or stir-fry pan on medium heat.
4. Cook beef until browned
5. Add in Mabo Sauce and simmer for 5 minutes
6. Gently stir in tofu and veggies until sauce coats everything.
 Box |
 Cube Me! |
 Yum. |
Cost:
The sauce packet costs about 2 bucks if I remember correctly.
Final comments:
Cheaper than take-out! May be healther too, depending on how you make it.
November 17th, 2005 at 1:25 pm
ohman, that looks great and so simple. i’m always looking for easy/cheap eats! thanks for the suggestion.
November 25th, 2005 at 3:24 pm
yes, that looks good enough to eat.
May 21st, 2006 at 5:18 pm
haha~i’m a chinese and i can cook wonderful mabo tofu!
June 30th, 2006 at 3:20 am
There is a brand of quick Ma Po tofu sauce by a company called “Ah Hung” which is more authentic in flavor, and spicier, than this brand, and it is closer to the reddish color of this dish that I recommend (and, I think it’s cheaper in price). Though the one you show will do in a pinch…
July 29th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Thanks Rey, I’ll be on the lookout!
January 9th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
easy to make and tasty..thanks for posting
March 16th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I boil and then drain the meat. I guess that gets rid of some of the fat. I, then, transfer it back to the pan with the cubed tofu and stir in the sauce. It tastes just as good.