Ma Po Tofu

I should probably preface this entry by admitting that I am the only one in the family that will eat this. I love it! It's on almost every Chinese Food menu, a comfort food dish of tofu simmered with a small amount of meat, seasonings, and broth.

I browned 2 oz of ground beef, breaking it up in the pan. Then added 1 shredded carrot, 3 sliced scallions, 2 cloves of minced garlic and the same amount of ginger. When the carrots were cooked through- just a few minutes- I added about 1T soy sauce, 1t oyster sauce, and 2 t black bean sauce, and half a can of chicken broth. After bringing it to a boil and thickening it with a cornstarch broth slurry, I added 12 oz extra firm tofu and maybe 2t sesame oil. Once it's hot it's done. This would serve 2 adults and 2 kids (if they would eat it!). I guess you have to like tofu.

Over a whole grain rice, rye, and barley pilaf with plain broccoli on the side, this plate was about 325 calories and very satisfying.