chinese food/dinner/recipes

Mapo Tofu Waffle Recipe

Posted October 21, 2013 by Stephanie
mapo tofu waffle recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

I love tofu, probably because I grew up eating it. It’s fairly standard in Chinese cuisine and when I was a kid, we ate it at least twice a week for dinner. I know a lot of people who don’t like the taste or texture, but for me, it’s incredibly comforting and delicious.

mapo tofu waffle recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Tofu also happens to be my brother’s favourite food. He used to beg my mom to make it when we were kids. He didn’t care how it was cooked, he just couldn’t get enough. We used to joke about how he would end up marrying a tofu maker. I don’t think any artisanal tofu makers still exist so it’s a good thing my brother wasn’t set on finding a tofu-master. It’s also a good thing that my sister-in-law loves tofu too.

mapo tofu waffle recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

One of my favourite ways of eating tofu is deep-fried. I love the contrast between the crispy outsides and creamy soft insides. These tofu waffles are pretty close to regular deep-fried tofu. The little waffle indentations give a lot of crispy edges which I love.

mapo tofu waffle recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

You might be curious about how I decided to waffle tofu. I don’t have much of a story though. One day, I was looking in the fridge and saw half a block of tofu forlornly sitting in a pool of tofu juice. I took a look a my new waffle maker and presto: tofu waffles! I ate the first waffle with a drizzle of sriracha and hoisin and then my mind was off and running with the possibilities of tofu waffle recipes.

mapo tofu waffle recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Mapo tofu is one of my favourite dishes to cook for people who don’t like tofu. It’s not that it masks the flavour of tofu, it’s just that tofu is the perfect blank slate for the spicy pork sauce. If you’re not a fan of tofu, try the spicy pork sauce anyway – it’s super addictive on rice.

mapo tofu waffle recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Mike isn’t a fan of tofu, so I waffled some rice for him.

Mapo Tofu Waffles adapted from Gourmet via epicurious.com
serves 2

Mapo sauce

  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili bean paste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Tofu Waffles

  • 1 block soft or medium tofu, cut in half and then cut lengthwise into 4, so you have 8 pieces

Stir together broth, bean paste, and soy sauce. Set aside.

Heat a bit of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and cook, breaking up into small pieces. When no longer pink, add the garlic and ginger and cook for 2 more minutes. Add broth mixture and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy, about a minute. Turn off the heat, and stir in the sesame oil and Sichuan peppercorn powder. Serve over the tofu waffles and sprinkle with green onions.

Heat your waffle maker up. Brush with oil and place tofu into the waffle maker. Close gently, but do not press down. As the tofu heats up, it will gently take on a waffle shape. It’s done when it is golden and crispy. Enjoy with the mapo pork.

mapo tofu waffle recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

21 Comments

  1. I am soooo into this! What a fabulous recipe!

  2. Millie says:

    This actually looks ridiculously good! Waffled tofu along with freshly steamed white rice sounds like heaven!!!!
    My mouth is literally watering!!

  3. Billy says:

    SO SMART!! I’ll have to try that when I get a waffle iron to see if I can actually like it.

  4. Amanda says:

    Yuuummmmmmm this looks fantastic.

  5. 2madeatery says:

    It’s realy creative :D

  6. omg I have a new use for the waffle maker. All credit to you of course but thank you seriously. You have solved my laziness problem with tofu.

  7. WUTTT! We just bought our first waffle iron and this is so happening! I love mapo tofu…. this just makes it a little bit more awesomer.

    I didnt realize the waffles WERE tofu at first! You’re such a genius, I never would have come up with something so rad. Even the rice waffle looks incredible! On this week’s menu!

  8. my husband’s family is from louisville, ky and there’s a strong vietnamese food presence there. there is a shop/store there that makes their own tofu. i don’t know if it qualifies them as “artisanal tofu makers” but there are those out there (in KY no less!) who do make their tofu from scratch.

    this recipe is super intriguing, thank you for sharing

  9. Jessica says:

    Your pictures and cooking skills are amazing!! I absolutely love your blog!! Thank you for sharing

  10. Jennifer says:

    stop it! looks delicious and sounds so unique

  11. Lynna says:

    This is BRILLIANT! I love mapo tofu! And, I`m excited to try this tofu waffle thing. :)

  12. afracooking says:

    Wow what an original way to serve tofu – I must try it!

  13. Row says:

    Wow! This is very cool and innovative. :)

  14. I don’t like tofo… but maybe after this!! I will…. giving it a try, thanks

  15. vicky says:

    hi hello, i just wanted to say that i made this for dinner tonight. here’s a picture: http://31.media.tumblr.com/61de2dee2e8437d22ee70bfae37d0b8e/tumblr_mwjg51tO5Z1rqy3f5o1_1280.jpg

  16. Eva Bee says:

    This is super super innovative. Props on an amazing take of one of my favourite dishes!

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