Silky, Spicy Mapo Tofu in 20 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb silken tofu (or medium-firm tofu), cubed
• ½ lb ground pork (or ground chicken or beef)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock (or cold water)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 scallion, finely chopped (separated into whites and greens)
• ¼ teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
• 2 teaspoons salt (for cooking tofu)
• 1 ½ tablespoon doubanjiang (spicy broad bean paste)
• 2 teaspoons chili oil (or red chili flakes)
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• ½ teaspoon dark soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
• ½ teaspoon white granulated sugar (or cane sugar)
• ½ teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorn (optional)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or potato starch)
• 2 tablespoons cold water