Slow-Cooked Hot Pot: Mastering The Perfect Timing

Hot pot is a traditional Chinese cooking process that involves simmering a variety of ingredients in a pot of flavoured broth. It is a social and interactive dining experience, where guests cook their own food by dipping raw ingredients into the hot pot.

While hot pot is typically cooked on a portable hot plate at the table, it is possible to use a slow cooker to prepare the dish. A slow cooker can braise a pork shoulder, so it should be able to simmer a simple broth.

To use a slow cooker for hot pot, first preheat the broth in a pot on the stove. Then, transfer the broth to the slow cooker and place it on high heat. It will take about three hours to reach the desired temperature of 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, it is important to note that slow cookers may struggle to maintain this temperature due to the constant addition of cold ingredients and the removal of the lid. Therefore, it is recommended to do a test run before using a slow cooker for hot pot, especially if you are hosting a party.

How to make a hot pot in a slow cooker

A hot pot is a traditional Chinese cooking process. It involves a big pot filled with ingredients such as meat and vegetables, which are served in a boiling broth.

The hot pot has been adapted in many ways, for example, the British hot pot is more like a stew or casserole and is a one-pot, slow-cooked dish where all the ingredients are cooked at the same time. It is topped with sliced potatoes and a generous sprinkling of cheese.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

For a beef hot pot, you will need the following ingredients:

• Braising beef, cubed
• Beef stock
• Worcestershire sauce
• English mustard
• Rosemary
• Carrots, diced
• Swede, diced
• Parsnip, diced
• Potatoes, thinly sliced

For a Lancashire hot pot, you will need:

• Lamb, cut into bite-sized chunks
• Brown onions, peeled and sliced thinly
• Plain flour (use gluten-free if required)
• Hot chicken or vegetable stock
• Black pepper
• Worcestershire sauce
• Carrots, cut into chunks
• Potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
• Butter, melted
• Dried thyme

Step 2: Cook the Meat and Vegetables

If you are using a slow cooker, you can put raw meat directly into the slow cooker. However, browning the meat first will add more flavour to your hot pot.

Heat some oil in a frying pan and add the meat in batches, frying until browned. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, add the onions and fry until softened.

For a beef hot pot, add the diced vegetables (carrots, swede, and parsnip) to the slow cooker. For a Lancashire hot pot, add the carrots to the pan with the softened onions and stir in the flour before adding the stock, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 3: Assemble the Hot Pot

In the slow cooker, layer the sliced potatoes on top of the meat and vegetables. For the Lancashire hot pot, start from the outside and work your way towards the centre when layering the potatoes.

Brush the potatoes with melted butter and sprinkle with dried thyme.

Step 4: Cook in the Slow Cooker

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 7-8 hours for a beef hot pot, or until the potatoes and meat are tender. For a Lancashire hot pot, cook on high for 3.5 hours or on low for 6 hours.

If desired, you can finish the dish by browning the potatoes under a hot grill.

Tips and Variations:

• To make your hot pot even heartier, add some tomato puree or tinned tomatoes, along with garlic, and additional herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
• If you want to add some extra spice, include ingredients like goji berries, jujubes, or Sichuan peppercorns.
• You can also add a glass of red wine to your hot pot for extra flavour. Simply add it before pouring in the stock and let it simmer for a couple of minutes first to cook off the alcohol.
• If you don't want to use the potato topping, you can serve your hot pot with creamy mashed potatoes, chips, or pull-apart bread on the side.
• To make a vegetarian or vegan hot pot, simply replace the meat with additional vegetables or plant-based protein sources.

How long does it take to cook beef in a slow cooker on high?

The cooking time for beef in a slow cooker depends on the cut of beef, the size and shape of the meat, and whether the beef is cooked on high or low. For example, a leaner cut of meat like sirloin or rib roast will be better cooked on high for a shorter period, whereas a fattier cut like chuck roast is better cooked on low for longer.

As a general rule, beef cooked on high in a slow cooker will take 4-5 hours, whereas beef cooked on low will take 5-8 hours. However, this can vary depending on the type of slow cooker and the size and shape of the beef. For example, one source recommends cooking a 1kg topside or top round beef joint on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 hours. Another source recommends cooking beef on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours.

It's important to note that the cooking time for beef in a slow cooker can also depend on your desired level of doneness. For example, rare beef will be cooked at a lower temperature than well-done beef.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the cooking time for beef in a slow cooker can be affected by factors such as the consistency of the slow cooker's temperature and whether the beef is bone-in or boneless. Bone-in beef may take longer to cook because the bone takes longer to heat up than the surrounding meat.

To ensure your beef is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. For example, rare beef should have an internal temperature of 50°C, while well-done beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 70°C.

How to make beef hotpot in a slow cooker

Ingredients:

• 750g braising beef, cubed
• 600ml beef stock
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp English mustard
• 3 sprigs of rosemary
• 125g carrots, diced
• 125g swede, diced
• 125g parsnip, diced
• 700g potatoes, thinly sliced
• Oil for frying
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Butter (optional)
• Chopped parsley, to serve

Method:

• Preheat your slow cooker if necessary.
• Heat oil in a frying pan, add the beef and fry until browned. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
• In the same pan, add the onion and fry until softened. Stir in the flour, then gradually mix in the stock.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato puree, mustard, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
• Add the diced vegetables to the slow cooker, then pour the sauce over them.
• Cover with the potatoes, arranging them so they overlap and pressing them down into the stock.
• Cover and cook on high for 7-8 hours, until the potatoes and meat are tender.
• (Optional) Dot the potatoes with butter and brown under a grill, or use a kitchen blowtorch.
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Tips:

• You can skip the potato topping and serve the hotpot with mashed potatoes or chips instead.
• You can also add a glass of red wine to the hotpot for extra flavour.
• If you want to make this dish ahead of time, it can be cooked and then frozen. To reheat, cook on low for 2 hours or on high for 1 hour.

How to make Lancashire hotpot in a slow cooker

Ingredients:

• Lamb
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Carrots
• Butter
• Stock
• Bay leaves
• Salt
• Pepper
• Worcestershire sauce
• Thyme
• Vegetable oil (optional)
• Flour (optional)

Method:

• Fry off some diced lamb in a hot pan.
• Remove the lamb, then soften the onions in the same pan and add the lamb back in.
• Stir in flour (optional), then pour in stock.
• Add a couple of bay leaves, a good sprinkling of salt and pepper and a good splash of Worcestershire sauce.
• Transfer the contents to your slow cooker and stir in chopped carrots.
• Top with thinly sliced potatoes.
• Brush on a little melted butter and sprinkle on some dried thyme.
• Cook on low for 5-6 hours, until the lamb and potatoes are tender.

Tips:

• You can use a mandolin to cut the potatoes, but a sharp knife will also work.
• The potatoes should be about 2-3mm thick. If you cut them thicker, you will need to cook the dish for longer.
• You can make this dish in advance and freeze it.
• If you want crispy potatoes, you will need to cook them separately in an air fryer or oven, as the slow cooker will keep them soft.

How to preheat a slow cooker

Preheating your slow cooker is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your dish reaches the desired temperature and enhances the flavour of your meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to preheat a slow cooker:

• Plug in your slow cooker and turn it on to the highest heat setting. This is a crucial step as it helps to reduce the time needed to bring your ingredients to the desired temperature.
• While the slow cooker is heating up, prepare your aromatics such as onions and garlic. Sautéing these ingredients first builds flavour and enhances your dish.
• If you want to be extra cautious, you can preheat your slow cooker with hot water. Fill it with very hot or boiling water and turn it to high heat. This method is especially useful if you want to avoid heating an empty slow cooker.
• After the slow cooker has reached a high temperature, discard the hot water and add your pre-prepared ingredients.
• Adjust the temperature to the setting required by your recipe.
• If you are adding liquids to your slow cooker, consider preheating them in a separate pan to reduce the overall cooking time.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your slow cooker is preheated effectively, and your meal will be cooked thoroughly and efficiently.

Frequently asked questions