Hot Pot Cubed: A Tasty Take On A Comfort Classic

Hot Pot à la Cube is a recipe in Pokemon Quest that is used to attract Fire-type Pokemon. The recipe requires a lot of mushrooms and a little red, with some suggesting 3 mushrooms and 2 red ingredients, and others 4 mushrooms and 2 red ingredients. The specific ingredients can vary, with suggestions including Tiny Mushrooms, Bluk Berries, Balm Mushrooms, Big Roots, and Icy Rock.

Choosing your equipment

The first thing to consider when choosing your hot pot equipment is the burner. There are two types of hot pot burners: butane and electric. Butane burners are cordless and easy to use, requiring only a canister of butane fuel. However, chef Eric Sze of 886 and wenwen in New York City recommends an electric burner, as it "cooks more evenly, plus you won’t run out of electricity like butane".

Next, you'll need a pot to hold your broth. If you're cooking for a larger group or want to offer multiple broth options, consider investing in a larger, split pot. This will allow you to have multiple flavours of broth at once. A regular pot can also be used if you're only offering one flavour.

To keep track of the ingredients you're cooking, consider using a skimmer or strainer. This tool can be used like a fishing net to easily remove items from the broth once they've reached the desired temperature. Chopsticks can also be used in a pinch.

Finally, don't forget to gather serving plates or bowls for your uncooked ingredients, as well as dining bowls for your guests to enjoy their cooked creations.

Making the broth

If you're making it from scratch, you can follow this recipe for a Mala Beef Broth, inspired by Taiwanese beef noodle soup.

Firstly, you'll need to gather your ingredients. For this broth, you'll need chicken broth for depth of flavour, water, yellow onion, green onions, garlic, and ginger. You can also add extra plain chicken broth or water to dilute the broth if it becomes too salty or concentrated.

Combine 4 cups of chicken broth and 2 cups of water in a pot. Add in 1/2 a yellow onion, a 1-inch piece of ginger, the white portions of 2 green onions, and 3 garlic cloves. Bring this mixture to a boil.

Next, you'll add in the hot pot soup base flavour packets or seasonings of your choice. There are many different types of broth flavours to choose from, including the popular Chinese-style Little Sheep Hot Pot Soup Base in "Hot" or "Mild" flavours, or the Haidilao Broth Flavor Hot Pot Seasoning for a non-spicy option.

If you're feeling creative, you can even experiment with different soup bases to create your own unique flavour combinations. For example, you could try a Thai tom yum soup base or a Japanese-style broth.

Keep in mind that the broth is the building block of your hot pot, so it's important to get the flavour just right. A spicy broth can be complemented by a milder, refreshing broth on the side for a well-rounded hot pot experience.

Selecting your ingredients

The specific type of mushrooms you will need are Tiny Mushrooms, and you will need three of them. You can also use regular-sized mushrooms, but be sure to adjust the quantity accordingly. Along with the mushrooms, you will also want to include some red ingredients. The exact amount required is unclear, but sources suggest either two or three red ingredients. The recommended red ingredients include Bluk Berries, Apricorns, and Fossils. You can use any combination of these red ingredients to make up the required amount.

Additionally, you can include other ingredients to enhance the flavour of your hot pot. Some suggestions are Icy Rock, Honey, and Balm Mushrooms. These ingredients will add unique flavours and textures to the dish. For example, Honey will add a touch of sweetness, while Icy Rock will give it a refreshing twist. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of these additional ingredients to find your preferred taste.

It is important to note that the ingredients you choose may impact the type of Pokémon you attract. While this recipe is known for attracting Fire-type Pokémon, there is a chance of attracting other types as well. Using different combinations of ingredients may result in attracting Special, Very Good, Good, or Basic Quality Pokémon. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to a known recipe list to ensure you attract the desired Pokémon.

Cooking the ingredients

There is an art to the order in which you add your ingredients. I recommend starting with veggies and seafood to flavour the broth, then cooking the meats, which will add more fat and flavour. Lastly, add the starchy items like noodles, as they thicken the broth. If you’re still feeling hungry, add some rice to the broth to create congee.

One of the best things about hot pot is that the flavour of the soup gets better as you eat. However, if the water evaporates and becomes too salty, simply add more water or plain chicken broth to dilute it.

Sauces and condiments

The most common choice of ingredients for hot pot sauces are regular or light soy sauce, fresh garlic, ginger, spring onions, and toasted sesame oil. However, you can also add your own twist by including ingredients like balsamic vinegar, Thai chili peppers, scallions, and sesame seeds.

• Taiwanese shacha dipping sauce: a savoury and garlicky sauce with a hint of seafood flavour.
• Garlic sesame sauce: creamy, garlicky, and savoury, with a nut butter-like consistency.
• Chinese spicy garlic chilli sauce: a spicy, tangy, and savoury sauce.
• Japanese sesame miso: creamy, nutty, and umami-rich, with a rich aroma from the roasted sesame seeds.
• Spicy peanut sauce: nutty, spicy, savoury, with a mildly sour and sweet flavour.

Remember, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your personal taste and dietary needs. For example, if you are allergic to nut butter, you can use sunflower seed butter or almond butter instead. You can also scale the recipe up or down depending on the number of people you are serving.

Frequently asked questions