Mapo Tofu | Soy Boys Episode 1

The Soy Boy saga begins with a recipe as unfamiliar to us as this whole experience. Recipe Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen: Ingredients: 2 cups Water Salt ½ oz shiitake mushrooms, dried 1 Tbsp Sichuan peppercorns 12 Scallions 28 oz soft tofu, cut into ½-inch cubes 9 Garlic cloves, peeled 1 (3-inch) piece of ginger, peeled and cut into ¼-inch rounds Chili Powder Sesame Oil 1 ⅓ cup Broad Bean Chili Paste 1 Tbsp Fermented Black Beans ¼ cup Grapeseed Oil 4 oz Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms 1 Tbsp Cornstarch Instructions: 1. Microwave water, 1/2 tsp salt, and dried mushrooms in a large covered bowl until steaming, about 1 minute. Let sit for about 5 minutes until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain mushrooms in a fine-mesh strainer, reserving liquid. 2. Set soaked mushrooms aside and return liquid to the large bowl. 3. Place peppercorns in a small bowl and microwave until fragrant, 15 to 30 seconds. Let cool completely. Once cool, grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle (you should have 1 ½ tsp). 4. Using the