Vacuum Insulated Food Jars Recipes

Peppery Mapo Tofu

Mapo tofu is a popular Chinese dish that originated in Sichuan province. Simply mix and heat all ingredients then pack it in a Zojirushi food jar. The food jar will infuse the tofu nicely with sauce, and cook up a delicious meal for you!


[For 12 oz. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jars]
Ingredients (serves 1):  

  • 5 oz. tofu, medium firm
  • 2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 3 oz. ground pork 
  • 1/3 tsp. doubanjiang (chili bean sauce)
  • 1 tsp. tian mian jiang (sweet bean paste)
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks green onions, minced
  • 2 tsp. soy sauce
  • Szechuan peppercorn powder or white pepper powder, to taste
  • 1 tsp. shaoxing wine
  • 1/2 Tbsp. potato starch, mixed with 1 Tbsp. water

[For 17 oz. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jars]
Ingredients (serves 1):  

  • 7.5 oz. tofu, medium firm
  • 3 tsp. sesame oil
  • 5 oz. ground pork 
  • 1/2 tsp. doubanjiang (chili bean sauce)
  • 2 tsp. tian mian jiang (sweet bean paste)
  • 1/3 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 3 stalks green onions, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • Szechuan peppercorn powder or white pepper powder, to taste
  • 1-1/2 tsp. shaoxing wine
  • 2 tsp. potato starch, mixed with 4 tsp. water

 *This recipe was developed for 12 oz. and 17 oz. Zojirushi Stainless Food Jars. Adjustments may be required for making this recipe in other Food Jar sizes.  

*Please make sure not to overfill the food jar with ingredients, as ingredients will expand with cooking, and may cause the lid to burst. 

1

Preheat the food jar by pouring boiling water (not included in the ingredients list). Close the lid and allow to preheat. 

2

Dice tofu into 1" cubes and set aside.

3

In a frying pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Sauté ground pork until evenly browned.

4

Add doubanjiang, tian mian jiang and garlic to the pan, and sauté for one more minute.

5

Add tofu, green onion, soy sauce, pepper and shaoxing wine.

6

Stir in the potato starch slurry to the pan and mix to combine.

7

Cook for an additional two minutes then turn heat off. 

8

Discard hot water from the food jar and fill with prepared mapo tofu. Make sure not to fill over 1/2" below the ridge.

9

Allow mapo tofu to set for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 6 hours.

10

Make sure to consume within 6 hours to prevent from spoiling.

11

Enjoy!

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