Creating The Perfect Hot Pot Peanut Sauce

Hot pot is a fantastic way to enjoy a variety of foods with a delicious, flavourful dipping sauce. Making your own hot pot peanut sauce at home is easy and allows you to adjust the ingredients to suit your personal taste. The key ingredients are peanut butter, soy sauce, and some form of oil, usually sesame. From there, you can add ingredients like garlic, chilli, vinegar, and honey to create a sauce that is salty, sweet, spicy, and tangy. For a more savoury sauce, you can add fermented bean curd and leek flower. The sauce is simple to make: just mix all the ingredients together and thin with water if needed. So why not get creative and make your own hot pot peanut sauce at home?

Peanut butter as a base

Using peanut butter as a base for your hot pot sauce is a great option, especially if you are looking for a nutty, savoury flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious hot pot peanut sauce using peanut butter as the main ingredient:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of unsalted peanut butter (you can also use almond butter if you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos (or light soy sauce)
• 1/2 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of water (or more, if needed, to thin the sauce)
• 1 clove of garlic, minced or grated (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of garlic chilli sauce (optional, for a spicy kick)
• A handful of chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Method:

• Place the peanut butter in a mixing bowl. If you are using coconut aminos, heat it up in a small saucepan over medium heat before adding it to the bowl.
• Add the remaining ingredients, except for the water, to the bowl.
• Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined and you have a smooth, creamy sauce.
• Gradually add the water to the sauce, whisking continuously, until you achieve your desired consistency. You may need more or less water, depending on how thick you want your sauce to be.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. If you want a stronger garlic flavour, add more grated garlic.
• Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.

This sauce is very versatile and can be tailored to your taste preferences. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and quantities to make it your own! It is perfect as a dipping sauce for hot pot, but can also be used as a glaze for meat or a dressing for salads and noodles. Enjoy!

Adding soy sauce

You don't need to add a lot of light soy sauce to your hot pot peanut sauce. A little goes a long way. Start by adding a small amount, and then adjust to your taste preferences. If you're making a large batch of sauce, you can add a few tablespoons of light soy sauce to enhance the flavor.

When selecting a light soy sauce for your hot pot peanut sauce, opt for a high-quality brand. Look for one that is made with natural ingredients and has a well-balanced flavor profile. You can also choose between different types of light soy sauce, such as those with a darker, maltier taste or a lighter, more delicate flavor.

Keep in mind that light soy sauce is different from dark soy sauce, which is thicker, sweeter, and less salty. Dark soy sauce is typically used for adding color and flavor to dishes, while light soy sauce is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of applications.

In addition to light soy sauce, you can also experiment with other types of soy sauces, such as tamari, which is a gluten-free alternative, or regular soy sauce, depending on your taste preferences and dietary requirements.

Remember, the key to making delicious hot pot peanut sauce is to find the right balance of ingredients that suit your taste. Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust the measurements to create a unique sauce that you enjoy!

Using fermented ingredients

Fermented ingredients can add a unique, tangy, and complex flavour to your hot pot peanut sauce. Here are some tips and ingredients to consider when using fermented ingredients:

Fermented Base

Start by choosing a fermented base for your sauce. You can use Chinese sesame paste, which is made from roasted sesame seeds and has a deeper taste than tahini. Alternatively, you can opt for unsweetened natural peanut butter or tahini, which will give your sauce a different but still delicious flavour. If you go with peanut butter, make sure it's a name-brand one and adjust the amount of sugar in your sauce accordingly.

Fermented Add-Ins

Now it's time to add some fermented ingredients to boost the flavour. Here are some options:

• Red fermented bean curd (also called furu or stinky tofu): This has a creamy texture and a salty, fermented umami taste similar to cheese. It's a key ingredient in Beijing-style hot pot sauce.
• Fermented leek flower sauce: This is made from leek flowers and chives that are fermented with salt. It has a pungent, salty, and garlicky flavour. It's an unusual ingredient that you may love or hate!
• ShaCha/Chinese BBQ Sauce: This sauce adds a burst of flavour to your hot pot sauce. It includes chilli, garlic, shallot, dried shrimp, and brill fish.
• Hoisin sauce: This sauce is made from fermented soybeans and has a sweet flavour. It can be used as a vegan source of umami if you prefer not to use seafood-based sauces.
• Fish sauce: This will add a punch of umami to your sauce, but be sure to balance it out with other strong flavours like fresh garlic and herbs so it doesn't dominate your sauce.

Fermented Fruits and Vegetables

If you want to get creative, you can also ferment your own fruits and vegetables to add to your hot pot peanut sauce. Here are some tips:

• Choose the right peppers: Select fresh peppers that complement each other in colour. For example, red, orange, and yellow peppers will result in an orange/red-hued sauce, while green and yellow peppers will give a light green hue.
• Prepare the peppers: Wash and dry the peppers, remove any woody stems, and consider peeling and de-seeding thick-skinned varieties for a smoother sauce.
• Fermentation process: Submerge the peppers in a brine solution (salt and water) and let them ferment for several days. This process will kill or suppress bad bacteria while allowing good bacteria to thrive, resulting in healthy, probiotic-rich peppers.
• Blending: After fermentation, blend the peppers with other ingredients like fruits, garlic, or herbs to create your sauce.

Remember, the key to a great hot pot peanut sauce is to experiment and find the combination of flavours that you enjoy the most!

Spicy vs mild

When making hot pot peanut sauce, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your personal taste and dietary needs. If you like your food spicy, you can add ingredients like chopped chillies, chilli oil, chilli garlic sauce, or sriracha. You can also add a pinch of sugar to bring out the flavours and balance the heat.

If you prefer milder flavours, you can reduce or omit the spicy ingredients and add more mild ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, or vinegar. You can also add a small amount of lemon juice instead of vinegar to give the sauce a fresh taste. It's important to taste your sauce as you go along and adjust the ingredients according to your preference.

Serving suggestions

Hot pot peanut sauce is a great condiment to have on hand for a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on how to use and serve this delicious sauce:

• Dipping Sauce: The most common way to serve hot pot peanut sauce is as a dipping sauce for cooked meats, seafood, tofu, and vegetables. It adds a nutty and spicy kick to your food.
• Salad Dressing: This sauce can also double as a salad dressing. Drizzle it over your favourite salad or use it as a base for a peanut-based salad dressing.
• Noodle Sauce: If you're a noodle lover, this sauce is perfect for adding some extra flavour to your dish. Toss it with your favourite noodles, vegetables, and protein for a delicious and easy meal.
• Marinade: Use the hot pot peanut sauce as a marinade for meats or tofu before grilling or baking. It will add a burst of flavour to your dish.
• Glaze: For a juicy and flavourful dish, use the sauce as a glaze for meats, tofu, or vegetables. Simply brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking for a tasty finish.
• Spring Rolls: Take your spring rolls to the next level by using hot pot peanut sauce as a dipping sauce. It's a perfect pairing, especially if you're serving the spring rolls as an appetiser.
• Dumplings: Whether you're enjoying pot stickers, dumplings, or shumai, this sauce will enhance the flavours of your dumplings. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for a tasty bite.
• Stir-Fry Sauce: Add a spoonful of the sauce to your stir-fry for an extra punch of flavour. It will coat your vegetables, meats, or tofu beautifully and give your dish an exciting twist.
• Customisation: Remember, this sauce is highly customisable. Adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. You can make it thinner by adding more water, or thicker by adding more peanut butter. Play around with the spices and seasonings to create your perfect sauce.

Frequently asked questions