Hot Pot

August 4, 2024
4:48 pm

Hot Pot, also known as “Huo Guo” in Chinese, is a beloved winter dish that brings warmth and joy to many Chinese households. This communal meal involves cooking a variety of ingredients in a simmering pot of flavorful broth, making it a perfect dish for family gatherings and social occasions.

Originating from Mongolia over 1,000 years ago, Hot Pot has become a staple in Chinese cuisine, with regional variations and a wide range of ingredients reflecting the diversity of China’s culinary traditions.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

8 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
4 slices of ginger
2 cloves of garlic, smashed
2-3 dried red chilies (optional, for a spicy broth)
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of Chinese rice wine or Shaoxing wine
1 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon chili paste or Sriracha
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
200g thinly sliced beef
200g thinly sliced lamb
200g shrimp, peeled and deveined
200g fish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup Napa cabbage, chopped
1 cup spinach leaves
1 cup mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, or button), sliced
1 cup firm tofu, cubed
1 cup daikon radish, sliced
200g glass noodles or any preferred noodles, cooked

Instructions:

Prepare the Broth: In a large pot, combine the chicken or vegetable stock, ginger, garlic, dried red chilies (if using), soy sauce, rice wine, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes to develop the flavors.
Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili paste, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro. Set aside.
Set Up the Hot Pot: Place the simmering broth in the center of the table on a portable burner or in an electric hot pot. Arrange the meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and noodles on separate plates around the broth.
Cooking and Serving: Each person selects their preferred ingredients and cooks them in the simmering broth until done. Cooking times vary: thinly sliced meats take about 1-2 minutes, seafood about 2-3 minutes, and vegetables and tofu 3-5 minutes. Once cooked, dip the ingredients in the prepared sauce and enjoy with noodles.
Cooking and Serving: Each person selects their preferred ingredients and cooks them in the simmering broth until done. Cooking times vary: thinly sliced meats take about 1-2 minutes, seafood about 2-3 minutes, and vegetables and tofu 3-5 minutes. Once cooked, dip the ingredients in the prepared sauce and enjoy with noodles.