Marianne Martinez
Hot pot is a Chinese cooking method where a big pot of boiling hot broth is placed in the centre of the table with a heating element underneath. The amount of water needed depends on the size of the pot, but it should be filled about 1 from the top. Raw ingredients such as thinly sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, dumplings and noodles are served on plates around the pot. The guests then cook the ingredients in the broth and eat them with a dipping sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Broth | Chicken, mushroom, spicy, clear, seafood, tomato, satay, soy milk, Japanese dashi with soy, sake, mirin, and sugar, or homemade |
| Dipping ingredients | Meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, noodles, dumplings, rice cakes, mushrooms, meatballs, fish balls, shrimp cake, fish tofu, fish cake, fish balls, beef balls, pork balls, meatballs, eggs, tofu puffs, bamboo shoots, corn on the cob, winter melon, potato, sweet potato, daikon radish, squash, and more |
| Dipping sauces | Shacha, sesame, hoisin, sweet soy sauce, green onions, cilantro, chili oil, lemon juice, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, tahini, Chinese sesame paste, peanut sauce, oyster sauce, black vinegar, sesame oil, scallions, garlic, fermented tofu, and more |
| Equipment | Portable gas stove, induction cooker, cast-iron shallow brasier, stainless steel pot, spider skimmer, ladle, chopsticks, tongs, slotted ladle, burner, pot, slotted spoon, hot pot strainer, bowls, plates, napkins, and more |
What You'll Learn
- How much water to use depends on the type of hot pot you're making?
- You can use an electric cooker or a gas stove
- You can buy hot pot soup bases online or at an Asian supermarket
- You can make your own hot pot broth with chicken stock, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, ginger, and scallions
- You can add fresh ingredients to the broth like garlic and ginger
How much water to use depends on the type of hot pot you're making
The amount of water you use for your hot pot depends on the type of broth you're making and the number of people you're serving.
If you're using a store-bought broth, follow the instructions on the packet. Most of the time, one packet is sufficient for one meal, diluted with 6 to 8 cups of water. If you're making your own broth, you'll need enough to fill your pot.
If you're serving a large group, you may need to use two pots or cook in batches. A big hot pot usually serves six people, but it could serve up to eight.
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You can use an electric cooker or a gas stove
When it comes to making hot pot, you can use an electric cooker or a gas stove. Here are some tips and instructions for both options:
Electric Cooker
If you're using an electric cooker, such as a portable induction cooktop, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you have the right type of cookware. Induction burners require pots made of magnetic materials with completely flat bottoms, such as cast iron or stainless steel. Aluminum, ceramic, and stoneware pots will not work. The size of the pot is also important; a pot that is too large may take longer to heat up and require more energy to maintain the boiling temperature. It's best to use a pot that is just big enough for the amount of water you need.
To save energy, you can use a lid on your pot to trap the heat and steam. This will help the water reach boiling point faster and maintain the temperature without using as much electricity. You should also adjust the temperature settings on the electric cooker; a lower setting will use less energy and still provide enough heat to boil the water. However, keep in mind that induction cooktops tend to be noisier than gas stoves due to the built-in fan for cooling.
Gas Stove
When using a gas stove, you can save energy by using a smaller burner and pot. A smaller burner will use less gas, and a smaller pot will heat up faster and require less gas to maintain the boiling temperature. Similar to an electric cooker, using a lid on your pot will help trap the heat and steam, reducing the amount of gas needed.
You can also adjust the flame on your gas stove to save gas. Turning the flame down once the water starts boiling will still provide enough heat to maintain the boil while using less gas. Additionally, using cold water instead of hot water will be more efficient, as it takes less energy to heat up cold water. Regular cleaning of your gas stove is also recommended to ensure even heating and optimal efficiency.
Whether you're using an electric cooker or a gas stove, the key to saving energy is to use the right-sized cookware, adjust the temperature or flame accordingly, and utilize a lid to trap the heat. By following these tips, you can make hot pot while being mindful of energy consumption.
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You can buy hot pot soup bases online or at an Asian supermarket
The amount of water needed for a hot pot depends on the number of people you're serving and the size of your pot. As a general rule, you'll want to fill your pot halfway to two-thirds full of broth or water. This will give you enough liquid to cook your ingredients without making the pot too full or causing it to boil over. If you're using a pre-made hot pot broth base, follow the package instructions for the recommended amount of water.
If you're looking for a convenient way to enjoy hot pot at home, you can buy hot pot soup bases online or at Asian supermarkets. Here are some options for where to find them:
Online Options
- Amazon: Offers a variety of hot pot soup bases, including popular brands like Little Sheep, Haidilao, and Xiabu Xiabu. You can find both spicy and non-spicy options, as well as smaller packages for solo hot pot dinners.
- Tmall: A Chinese online marketplace that offers a wide range of hot pot soup bases, including regional specialties and unique flavors.
- Taobao: Another popular Chinese online shopping platform with a vast selection of hot pot condiments and soup bases.
- Specialty Online Stores: Websites like The Mala Market and Fly By Jing offer high-quality hot pot soup bases and other hot pot ingredients.
Asian Supermarkets
Asian supermarkets are a great place to find a variety of hot pot soup bases, especially if you're looking for options that are hard to find online. Here are some recommendations:
- Loon Fung Supermarket (London): Known for its excellent selection of hot pot condiments and soup bases.
- Dun Yong (Amsterdam): Offers a diverse range of hot pot ingredients, including soup bases.
- Hong Kong Supermarket (New York): Carries a good selection of hot pot products, including soup bases from popular brands.
- Carrefour, Lotus, or Jingkelong (China): Large supermarket chains in China that carry a wide range of hot pot broth seasoning options.
When shopping for hot pot soup bases, you can find options to suit your taste preferences, whether you prefer spicy, mild, or unique flavors like Indian curry or tomato. You can also find soup bases in different forms, such as liquid or butter-based blocks, to suit your needs.
In addition to the soup bases, don't forget to pick up some tasty dipping sauces to complete your hot pot experience!
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You can make your own hot pot broth with chicken stock, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, ginger, and scallions
Hot pot is a communal dining experience where raw ingredients are cooked in a pot of boiling broth. The amount of water needed for a hot pot depends on the number of people being served, but generally, you will need enough water to fill the pot about halfway to two-thirds full.
Ingredients:
- 3 quarts of low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons of Chiu Chow-style chile oil or hot chile-sesame oil
- 9 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 (3-inch) piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 (5-ounces) bunch of scallions, quartered
- 3 black cardamom pods
- 2 tablespoons of toban djan or chile bean sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, plus more to taste
Instructions:
- Heat the sesame oil and chile oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and scallions. Cook, stirring often, until the scallion mixture is wilted and the ginger is caramelized in spots (about 5 to 7 minutes).
- Add the cardamom and star anise; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add the chile bean sauce and stir to coat.
- Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan occasionally.
- Strain the broth and discard the solids.
- Stir in the soy sauce, adding more to taste.
This broth can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, simply heat it up and let your guests cook their chosen ingredients in the simmering broth.
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You can add fresh ingredients to the broth like garlic and ginger
Fresh ingredients are a great way to add flavour to your hot pot. Garlic and ginger are both tasty and soothing additions to your broth. You can also add ingredients like lemon, coriander, and chilli to your broth.
If you're making your own broth, you can add fresh ginger and garlic to your broth once it's boiling. You can also add other ingredients like soy sauce, tomato paste, and olive oil to your broth.
If you're using a pre-made broth, you can add fresh ginger and garlic to your hot pot as it simmers. You can also add other ingredients like coriander, chilli, and lemon juice to your dipping sauces.
- Have all your ingredients sliced or cut and placed on different plates or bowls on the table.
- Use separate chopsticks for raw meat or seafood and for eating.
- Don't put everything in at the same time. Hot pot dinners are meant to be slow, and you don't want leafy greens to overcook.
- Boil and eat as you go, and add more ingredients when needed.
- Add extra water to the hot pot when needed.
Now, it's time to enjoy your hot pot!
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Frequently asked questions
You'll need enough water to fill your pot. Most hot pot seasoning packages make 6-8 cups of broth.
Yes, you'll need to add a hot pot base or seasoning packet to the water. You can also make your own broth with ingredients like chicken stock, soy sauce, shaoxing wine, toasted sesame oil, ginger, and scallions.
You'll need enough broth to fill your pot. Most seasoning packages make 6-8 cups of broth. As you cook your hot pot, the broth will reduce, so be sure to add more water as needed.
No, but it's important to use enough water to fill your pot. You can always add more water as the broth reduces during cooking.
