The Art Of Cheese Hot Pot: A Meltingly Good Experience

Cheese hot pot is a fun and interactive dish to cook and eat with friends and family. It's also known as huǒ guō (fire pot) or dǎ biān lú (fight the furnace) in Chinese.

To make a cheese hot pot, you'll need a pot, a portable stove, and various ingredients. The pot should be shallow so that the food doesn't drown, and a split pot is great if you want to have multiple flavours of broth or keep certain foods separate. For the stove, you can use induction, gas, or a two-in-one.

For the ingredients, you'll need cheese, of course, as well as various meats, seafood, tofu, vegetables, and noodles. Here are some specific examples:

- Chicken wings

- Tripe

- Shrimp

- Scallops

- Squid

- Fish slices

- Leafy greens (e.g. spinach, watercress, lettuce)

- Cabbages (e.g. siu choi/napa, kole)

- Mushrooms (e.g. enoki, shiitake, oyster)

- Crunchy vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, lotus root)

- Starchy vegetables (e.g. potatoes, taro, sweet potato)

- Dumplings and balls (e.g. fish balls, shrimp balls, cuttlefish balls, pork and vegetable dumplings)

- Tofu (e.g. medium firm tofu, firm tofu, tofu puffs, pressed tofu, deep-fried tofu, egg tofu)

- Noodles (e.g. udon, mung bean noodles)

To cook the hot pot, fill the pot with broth and bring it to a boil. Then, simply add your desired ingredients and cook to your liking!

Choosing your cheese

Cheese is a key ingredient in a hot pot, but it's important to choose the right type of cheese to get the best results. Here are some tips on selecting the perfect cheese for your hot pot:

Type of Cheese

Start by deciding on the type of cheese you want to use. A good melting cheese is essential for a hot pot as it will create a rich and creamy texture. Cheddar is a popular choice and goes well with a variety of other ingredients. You could also try a mix of cheddar and Swiss cheese for extra flavour. Other melting cheeses such as Gruyère, Emmental, or Fontina would also work well. If you want a more distinctive flavour, you could try a cheese with a stronger flavour profile such as a mature cheddar or a hard rosemary goat cheese.

Amount of Cheese

Hot pots are all about abundance, so make sure you have enough cheese. As a guide, a good starting point is 1 1⁄2 cups of grated cheese per person. This will ensure your hot pot is nice and cheesy, but you can always add more or less to suit your taste.

Grated or Sliced Cheese

Grating the cheese will help it melt more quickly and evenly, which is ideal if you're short on time. However, slicing the cheese can create a more impressive presentation and allows your guests to control the amount of cheese they add to their dish. If you're short on time, grating the cheese in advance is a great option.

Freshness

Always use the freshest cheese you can find. This will ensure your hot pot tastes as good as possible and the cheese melts properly. Check the use-by date and try to buy cheese that has been recently made. If you're using a soft cheese, look for one with a creamy texture and no signs of drying or cracking. For hard cheeses, avoid any with cracks or discolouration.

Presentation

How you present the cheese is an important part of the hot pot experience. If you're using grated cheese, consider layering it with the other ingredients in a casserole dish. This will create a visually appealing dish and ensure the cheese is evenly distributed. If you're using sliced cheese, fan the slices out on a platter or board, so your guests can help themselves.

Storage

If you're not using all your cheese at once, make sure you store it properly to keep it fresh. Wrap the cheese in wax paper or specialised cheese paper to protect it from drying out. Then place it in an airtight container in the fridge. Try to use the cheese within a few days to ensure it's at its best.

Selecting your vegetables

Variety is the Spice of Life

When choosing vegetables for your hot pot, variety is key. Aim for a mix of leafy greens, crunchy vegetables, and starchy options. This will add texture and flavour to your dish. Some great options include:

• Leafy greens: spinach, watercress, lettuce, Napa cabbage, and kale.
• Crunchy veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, lotus root, and enoki mushrooms.
• Starchy choices: potatoes, taro, sweet potatoes, and winter squash (like kabocha).

Preparation is Key

Cutting your vegetables into the right size is crucial. You want to ensure they cook evenly and quickly in the hot pot. Cut leafy greens into manageable pieces, and slice or chop crunchy and starchy vegetables into bite-sized pieces. This will make it easier to eat and ensure a better cooking experience.

Don't Overcook

One of the most important things to remember when cooking vegetables in a hot pot is not to overcook them. Pop them into the boiling broth and let them cook for a few minutes, but don't forget about them. Overcooked vegetables can become soggy and unappetizing. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the pot as soon as they're tender.

Experiment with Unique Veggies

While the standard vegetable options are always a safe bet, don't be afraid to experiment with unique or less common choices. For example, celeriac, artichoke hearts, or eggplant could add an interesting twist to your hot pot. Get creative and let your taste buds be your guide!

Personalize Your Selection

Ultimately, the best vegetables for your cheese hot pot are the ones you and your guests will enjoy. If someone loves a particular vegetable, include it! Hot pot is all about customisation and enjoying a variety of flavours and textures. So, feel free to mix and match to create a vegetable selection that suits your taste preferences.

Preparing your meat

Selecting the Meat:

Start by choosing your preferred type of meat. Common options include beef, pork, and chicken. You can also go for lamb or other varieties based on your taste and availability.

Slicing the Meat:

It is essential to slice the meat thinly for hot pot. Place the meat in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm it up. This will make it easier to slice. Remove the meat from the freezer once it is slightly solid but still yielding. Use a sharp knife to slice the meat as thinly as possible.

Marinating the Meat:

You can enhance the flavour of your meat by marinating it before cooking. Prepare a marinade with ingredients such as soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and your choice of spices. Place the sliced meat in a bowl or ziplock bag, pour the marinade over it, and ensure the meat is well coated. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for more intense flavour.

Cooking the Meat:

When you're ready to cook, bring your broth to a rolling boil. Add the meat to the hot pot and cook it for a short time. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your slices and your desired doneness. For rare meat, a few seconds to a minute should be enough. For well-done meat, you may need to cook it for a bit longer, but be careful not to overcook it.

Serving the Meat:

Once the meat is cooked to your liking, use a strainer or tongs to remove it from the hot pot and place it in a serving bowl. Keep it warm and serve it immediately with your choice of dipping sauces.

Remember, hot pot is all about personal preference and customisation, so feel free to experiment with different types of meat and cooking methods to find what you like best!

The best cooking equipment

Hot pot is a fun and interactive dining experience, and you can easily make it at home with the right equipment. Here are some tips on choosing the best cooking equipment for a delicious and enjoyable cheese hot pot meal.

The Hot Pot Burner

The first essential piece of equipment for hot pot is a burner. There are two common types: butane and electric. Butane burners use canisters of butane fuel, while electric burners are powered by electricity. Electric burners, such as the Cuisinart Cast-Iron Single Burner, are recommended by chefs for their even cooking and unlimited power source.

The Hot Pot

The next crucial item is the pot itself. A stainless steel divided hot pot is ideal as it allows you to have two different types of broth simultaneously. This adds variety to your meal and lets diners choose their preferred broth. A clear lid is also beneficial so you can easily monitor the broths' progress. If you don't have a divided pot, you can use a regular stock pot or Dutch oven.

Skimmers and Strainers

Skimmers and strainers are handy tools for hot pot. A brass spider skimmer and strainer can be used to fish out ingredients, especially delicate ones like meat or shellfish, from the broth once they're cooked to your liking.

The Pot's Material

When choosing a hot pot, consider the material. Cast iron is a popular choice, as it retains heat well and can be used on various heat sources. It's also durable and adds a rustic charm to your dining experience. However, cast iron requires proper seasoning and maintenance to prevent rusting.

Individual Cookware

Each diner should have their own set of individual cookware, including shallow dishes for sauces, small bowls for eating, and a set of chopsticks or tongs for handling food. These individual sets enhance the interactive nature of hot pot and ensure a hygienic dining experience.

Portable Stove

If you want to enjoy hot pot away from your kitchen, consider investing in a portable stove. A gas stove, for example, is cordless and can be placed anywhere. It's powered by a butane fuel canister, so you can hot pot to your heart's content in any location you desire!

Instant Pot Alternative

If you're looking for a more modern approach, an Instant Pot can be a convenient alternative to the traditional hot pot setup. However, you may need an extension cord to reach your dining table.

Safety Precautions

Remember to always exercise caution when using hot pot equipment. Hot pot involves cooking at the table, so ensure young children are supervised, and hot items are kept out of their reach. Additionally, be mindful of hot surfaces and use appropriate protective gear, like oven mitts, when handling hot pots and burners.

With the right equipment, you'll be well on your way to a delightful cheese hot pot experience. Happy cooking and dining!

Dipping sauces

Hot pot dipping sauces are highly personal, and there are no rules when it comes to creating your own. The sauces are usually made using a combination of regular or light soy sauce, fresh garlic, ginger, spring onion, and toasted sesame oil. However, there are many other ingredients you can use to make your own unique sauce. Here are some ideas:

Taiwanese Shacha Dipping Sauce

This savoury and garlicky sauce has a hint of seafood flavour. It is one of the best hot pot dipping sauces and only requires a few key ingredients.

• Garlic
• Shacha sauce
• Coconut aminos
• Rice vinegar
• Scallion
• Toasted sesame oil
• Thai chilli peppers (optional)

Garlic Sesame Sauce

If you don't like spicy food, this sauce is a great alternative. It is creamy, garlicky, and savoury.

• Chinese sesame paste
• Cashew butter
• Coconut aminos
• Rice vinegar
• Garlic clove
• Shiitake mushroom seasoning
• Water

Chinese Spicy Garlic Chilli Sauce

This sauce is great as a dipping sauce, but can also be used as a glaze or for garlic chilli noodles.

• Garlic chilli sauce
• Balsamic vinegar
• Toasted sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Scallion
• Toasted white sesame seeds
• Sichuan peppercorn powder (optional)
• Vegetarian oyster sauce (optional)

Japanese Sesame Miso Sauce

This sauce is creamy and nutty, with a rich umami flavour.

• White miso paste or chickpea miso
• Toasted sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Chinese sesame paste or tahini
• Coconut aminos
• Toasted white sesame seeds
• Water

Spicy Peanut Sauce

This sauce is slightly sweet and spicy, and is inspired by Taiwanese dan dan noodles.

• Unsalted peanut butter or almond butter
• Coconut aminos
• Toasted sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Water
• Garlic chilli sauce (optional)
• Cilantro (optional)

Frequently asked questions