Geethu's Kitchen - Paru's MaPo Tofu

(based on this and this and this)

Ingredients

1. 1 ladle vegetable oil
2. 8 spring onions, green section sliced on a bias and white section roughly chopped OR 1/2 small white onion minced
3. 12 cloves of garlic (1 small bulb), finely chopped (1/3 cup packed) OR 4 tbsp minced Costco garlic
4. 4 Tbsp of ginger, finely minced (1/2 cup) OR 2 tbsp ginger paste
5. 6 Tbsp of soy sauce
6. 4 Tbsp (heaping) of hot bean paste
7. 2 Tbsp hot chilli sauce (Sriracha may be substituted)
8. 2 x19 oz firm tofu, diced
9. 1 tsp chilli sesame oil (optional)
   
   

Method:

1. Heat oil - HI.
2. Add the garlic, ginger, green chilies (optional) and white parts of the scallions. Cook until it begins to brown - MED-HI
3. Add the hot bean paste, chilli sauce and soy sauce, and stir briefly - MED-HI
4. Add the diced tofu, and cook until the flavors seep through the spongy tofu crevices, for 4-5minutes - MED-HI
5. Add cornstarch and mix gently and let sauce thicken for 2 minutes - MED
6. Turn off the heat, drizzle the sesame oil over the tofu, and sprinkle the green parts of scallions on top.