Super Easy Mapo Doufu

This is one of my go-to dishes when I need a quick dinner for my family.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon canola oil
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
3 slices fresh ginger
1 pack medium firm tofu, cubed
1/2 pound ground pork (80% lean, 20% fat is awesome in this dish, but leaner is fine)
1/2 teaspoon shaoxing wine (optional)
3 Tablespoons oyster sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed OR 2 handfuls baby spinach (optional)
1 Tablespoon fresh ground chili paste (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorn (optional)
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Directions:

1.  Heat canola oil in pan.  Add garlic and ginger.  Cook garlic until soft but not brown.
2.  Add meat and shaoxing wine.  Cook and stir to crumble meat.  Add oyster sauce before meat is cooked through.
3.  Cook meat until thoroughly cooked and crumbled.  Add chili and pepper if including in recipe.
4.  Add tofu.  Stir until heated through and then add water to create gravy.
5.  Add vegetables if including in recipe.  Cook until heated through and soft.
6.  Return pan to a simmer.  Drizzle sesame oil on top of dish.

Serve with white rice.