Mala Tofu

You’ve heard of Ma Po tofu, but have you tried cooking mala tofu?

Made with pantry staples, soft silken tofu, and clean protein, it’s fast, comforting, and somehow even better the next day. I serve it to the family for dinner, then pack the leftovers for a quiet lunch reset. You can also make a double batch as part of a high protein meal prep.

Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

- 250g minced meat (chicken is healthier)
- 1 block, 300g silken tofu
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1–2 tsp mala sauce or your fav chilli sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp corn starch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
- Spring onions + coriander for garnish

Marinade for Mince:

- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce

Instructions (adult version):

1. Marinate minced pork with all seasoning ingredients and set aside.
2. Steam tofu with vegetables for 8 minutes, drain, and set aside.
3. In a wok, sauté onion and garlic in a little oil until fragrant.
4. Add marinated meat and stir-fry until fully cooked.
5. Stir in mala sauce and cook until fragrant.
6. Pour in 1/2 cup water and let simmer for a minute.
7. Taste and season with soy sauce if needed.
8. Add corn starch slurry and stir until thickened.
9. Spoon sauce over steamed tofu.
10. Garnish with spring onion and coriander. Serve hot, or cool and pack into a lunchbox.

👶🏻 Toddler-Friendly Version:

1. Steam tofu and set aside ¼ portion on a separate plate.
2. Sauté onion and garlic, then cook the marinated pork thoroughly.
3. Add 1/2 cup water and simmer.
4. Taste and lightly season with soy and oyster sauce as needed.
5. Add corn starch slurry and thicken.
6. Spoon some of this non spicy sauce over the child’s tofu.
7. Stir mala sauce into the remaining meat, simmer slightly, then spoon over adult tofu.