Braised Gulf Coast Mapo

Method

1. Start by prepping your soy sauce, sesame oil, fresh ginger so the cooking goes quickly.
2. Set a wide pan over medium heat and sweat the celery in a little butter until translucent.
3. Add the mapo and let it braised, undisturbed, so it takes on real color before you stir.
4. Stir in the cream cheese along with a good pinch of salt, scraping up anything stuck to the bottom of the pan.
5. Taste and adjust, then finish with cracked black pepper right before serving.
6. Plate it up while hot and pass extra at the table.