Savoring The Comfort Of Mexican Hot Pots: A Culinary Journey Through Tradition

Mexican hot pot is a hearty, comforting, and delicious dish that's perfect for sharing. It's a type of stew that combines Mexican flavours with a variety of ingredients such as chicken, vegetables, and beans. The key to a great Mexican hot pot is the broth, which is infused with Mexican spices and flavours. The dish is highly customisable, allowing diners to assemble their own bowls with various toppings and add-ins, such as rice, coriander, lime, avocado crema, tortilla strips, and jalapenos. It's an ideal meal for a cold winter day and a fun way to entertain guests, as they can personalise their own bowls of soup.

Broth

The broth is the star of the Mexican hot pot and is what sets it apart from other types of hot pots. It is a spicy, flavourful broth that serves as the perfect base for the other ingredients.

The broth is typically made with a variety of vegetables, including onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and garlic. These vegetables are roasted to intensify their flavour and then blended to create a smooth, creamy base. Chicken stock is added for extra depth of flavour and richness, and the broth is seasoned with spices such as cumin, paprika, oregano, and chilli powder.

The key to a great Mexican hot pot broth is to let it simmer for a while, allowing the flavours to meld together and intensify. This step is what gives the broth its distinctive, robust taste.

For those who prefer a vegetarian option, the chicken stock can be substituted with vegetable stock, and the meat can be omitted or replaced with tofu or other plant-based proteins.

The broth can also be customised to suit individual tastes. For a milder flavour, reduce the amount of chilli powder or omit it altogether. Alternatively, for those who like their food extra spicy, adding some chopped jalapeños or other chilli peppers will give it an extra kick.

The beauty of the Mexican hot pot is that it is highly customisable, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and spices to create your own unique version of this delicious dish.

Meat

The meat used in a Mexican hot pot is flexible and can be chosen according to preference. Recipes vary, with some specifying chicken as the protein, while others suggest using beef. The meat is cut into thin slices or small pieces.

In one recipe, the meat is browned in hot oil in a Dutch oven before the onions are added. In another, the meat is added to the pot after the onions have been fried. This recipe also suggests frying the meat over medium heat until it is well browned, and then draining off any excess fat before adding the remaining ingredients.

The meat is typically served in a flavourful broth, with the option to add toppings and sides such as rice, coriander, lime, avocado crema, tortilla strips, and pickled onions.

Rice

Selecting the Right Rice:

• It is recommended to use long-grain white rice for Mexican rice dishes. This type of rice cooks up fluffy and separate, making it ideal for absorbing flavours.
• While white rice is traditional, you can also use basmati rice, which works well and gives a slightly different texture.
• If you prefer brown rice, you can use it, but you will need to increase the cooking liquid by 1/2 cup and cook it for a longer time, about 40 minutes.

Preparing the Rice:

• Rinsing the rice is a crucial step. Use a fine-mesh strainer and rinse the rice until the water runs clear. This removes the outer starch, preventing the rice from clumping together and ensuring a fluffy texture.
• Toasting the rice in hot oil before adding other ingredients is an essential step for developing flavour. Cook the rice over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it is lightly golden brown all over (about 10 minutes).
• After toasting the rice, add your other ingredients like tomato sauce, garlic, onion, and spices. Stir everything together to combine the flavours.
• If you want to add extra flavour without making the dish spicy, you can add 1-3 whole serrano peppers on top of the rice while it cooks.

Cooking the Rice:

• For stovetop cooking, bring the rice and other ingredients to a boil, then cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the water is completely absorbed.
• For Instant Pot or pressure cooker methods, follow the specific instructions provided by your device. Typically, you will sauté the onions and garlic, then add the rice and other ingredients, lock the lid, and cook under high pressure for 3-5 minutes. Allow for natural pressure release before fluffing the rice with a fork.

Serving Mexican Rice:

• After cooking, it is crucial to let the rice rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps to ensure the rice is fluffy and not wet or clumpy.
• Gently fluff the rice with a fork; avoid stirring it too much, as this can affect the texture.
• Mexican rice pairs well with various Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, beans, and meat or vegetable dishes.
• You can also serve it as a side dish to any Mexican meal, such as "Taco Tuesdays."

Toppings

When it comes to toppings, the options are endless and can be adapted to individual preferences. Here are some suggestions to elevate your Mexican hot pot:

Freshness

Add a burst of freshness to your hot pot with finely sliced jalapenos, fresh coriander leaves, and Lebanese cucumber cut into long strips. For an extra crunch, you can also include fried tortilla strips. To make these, simply cut 1-2 tortillas lengthwise using a pair of scissors and fry them in oil until crisp.

Avocado Crema

One topping that is considered a must by some is the avocado crema. To make this, blend avocado, yoghurt, garlic, salt, and lemon juice until you achieve a smooth consistency. This topping not only tastes delicious but also serves as an excellent dip for nachos or other crispy snacks.

Customisation

The beauty of Mexican hot pot is that it allows for customisation. In addition to the suggested toppings, you can get creative and experiment with other ingredients you love. For instance, you can include crumbled queso fresco, radishes, or pickled red onions to add a unique twist to your dish.

Rice

Although rice is optional, including it in your Mexican hot pot transforms it into a more substantial and satisfying meal. It provides a base for the broth and toppings, allowing you to create a well-rounded and flavourful bowl.

Cooking method

To make a Mexican hot pot, start by preparing the broth. One recipe suggests a spicy tomatillo and tomato-based broth with flavours inspired by a classic Pozole, using chicken stock for a rich base flavour. Once the broth is made, prepare your add-ins and toppings. These can include thinly sliced chicken breast, hominy, rice, cilantro, pickled red onion, radishes, limes, and crumbled queso fresco.

To make the broth, preheat your oven to 200°C. In a roasting or baking tray, add diced onions, bell pepper, tomatoes, jalapeno, and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, and mix well to coat. Roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the vegetables are lightly roasted and soft. Remove and allow to cool. Remove the peel of the garlic and add all the roasted vegetables to a blender. Add crushed tomatoes and blend well.

In a large stock, add the blended mixture along with chicken stock. Then add paprika, cumin, and oregano. Taste and season with salt if necessary. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.

Add the chicken pieces and cook on high heat until the chicken is tender and cooked through. This should take only about 5 minutes as the chicken pieces are finely sliced.

To make an avocado crema, blend avocado, yoghurt, garlic, salt, and lemon juice until you get a smooth consistency.

To serve, lay out the chicken broth, toppings, and avocado cream and let each person assemble their bowl based on their preferences.

Frequently asked questions