Chinese Braised Mushrooms & Tofu

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Ma Po Tofu, a classic dish from the Sichuan province of China, inspired this recipe. The original is made with soft tofu and ground pork or beef with plenty of heat from dried chile peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. Portobello mushrooms stand in for the meat in our vegetarian version and convenient jarred chile-garlic sauce gives it plenty of kick. Serve with brown rice.

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Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings, about 1 cup each
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

  • 4 portobello mushroom caps, gills removed, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce, (see Note)

  • 1 1/4 cups mushroom broth, or vegetable broth

  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry, (see Tip)

  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar

  • 1 14-ounce package firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

  • 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, rinsed and coarsely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add mushrooms and chile-garlic sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the mushroom liquid has evaporated, 4 to 6 minutes.

  2. Add broth, sherry, soy sauce, brown sugar, tofu and water chestnuts and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a simmer, for 10 minutes to blend flavors.

  3. Combine water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir the mixture into the saucepan and simmer until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.

Tips

Note: Chile-garlic sauce (also labeled chili-garlic sauce, or paste) is a blend of ground chiles, garlic and vinegar. It can be found in the Asian section of large supermarkets and will keep for up to 1 year in the refrigerator.

Tip: “Cooking sherry” can be high in sodium. Instead, look for dry sherry with other fortified wines in your wine or liquor store.

People with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity should use soy sauces that are labeled "gluten-free," as soy sauce may contain wheat or other gluten-containing sweeteners and flavors.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2009

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

167 Calories
8g Fat
13g Carbs
11g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 167
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 5g
Added Sugars 1g 2%
Protein 11g 23%
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Vitamin A 125IU 3%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Folate 38mcg 9%
Sodium 593mg 26%
Calcium 215mg 17%
Iron 4mg 19%
Magnesium 42mg 10%
Potassium 593mg 13%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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