Hot Pot Party Essentials: What To Bring To Spice Up The Night

Hot pot parties are a fun and communal meal where guests do all the cooking. It's a great way to bring people together and is especially popular during the colder months. When attending a hot pot party, it's customary to bring something to contribute. Here are some ideas on what to bring:

- Drinks: Beer, wine, or spirits like baijiu (a fruity, high-proof sorghum whiskey) are always appreciated.

- Meat: Thinly sliced lamb, beef, pork, or chicken are popular choices.

- Seafood: Shrimp, scallops, squid, clams, mussels, and fish balls are all great options.

- Vegetables: Napa cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, and leafy greens add a healthy touch.

- Tofu: Fried tofu, tofu puffs, and dried tofu skin are all fun options.

- Noodles: Rice, bean, or flour-based noodles like udon or ramen are perfect for soaking up the flavours.

- Dipping sauces: A variety of oils, spices, and sauces like soy sauce, sesame oil, and Chinese BBQ sauce can be mixed and matched to create unique flavours.

- Dessert: Something cooling like grass jelly or coconut milk can help reduce the body's internal temperature after the spicy hot pot.

Drinks: Beer, wine, spirits, or soft drinks

When it comes to drinks, there are several options to consider for a hot pot party. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Beer

Beer is a popular choice for hot pot gatherings. If you want to stick to the traditional route, go for a light beer like Tsingtao, which is commonly served with hot pot. Other similar options include Kingfisher or Taj Mahal. However, if you're a beer enthusiast or your guests prefer something different, consider bringing a light ale, an IPA, or even a saison. These styles can help cut through the spice and intense flavors of hot pot.

Wine

Wine is another option to consider for your hot pot party. It is a popular drink in China and can be a nice complement to the meal. If you opt for wine, plan to have at least one bottle for every two people attending the party. This will ensure that everyone has enough to drink throughout the evening.

Spirits

If you want to follow the traditional Chinese pairing, consider serving baijiu, a fruity, high-proof sorghum whiskey. It can be challenging to find in western liquor stores, but it is worth the search. When purchasing baijiu, look for 750-milliliter bottles in the $60 to $80 range. Alternatively, you could serve JianZhuang, which is another type of baijiu that is widely available in the United States.

Soft Drinks

For non-alcoholic options, there are several choices to consider. Iced green tea or jasmine tea are excellent choices, as they can complement the flavors of the hot pot well. Another option is suan mei tang, also known as cold sour plum tea, which is a refreshing and tasty choice. If you're looking for something to help cool down the body's internal temperature after the hot pot, consider grass jelly, which can be paired with coconut milk, palm seeds, and mochi/boba.

Meat: Lamb, beef, pork, chicken, or fish

When it comes to hot pot, meat is a very important ingredient. Lamb, beef, pork, chicken, and fish are all great options to bring to a hot pot party. Here are some tips and suggestions for each type of meat:

Lamb

Lamb is a traditional choice for hot pot, especially in northern Chinese variations. Look for thinly sliced lamb shoulder, leg, or any well-marbled cuts. If you can't find pre-sliced lamb, buy a well-marbled cut and slice it as thinly as possible so that the cooked meat remains juicy and tender. Aim for about 4 to 8 ounces of lamb per person.

Beef

Beef is a popular choice for hot pot and can be found in many variations. Look for thinly sliced beef short ribs, ribeye, flank, sirloin, or other marbled cuts. Like lamb, beef should be sliced thinly to ensure quick and even cooking in the hot pot broth. Plan for 4 to 8 ounces of beef per person.

Pork

Pork is another versatile option for hot pot. Sliced pork loin, sirloin, shoulder, or pork belly are all good choices. As with lamb and beef, thinly sliced pork is best. You can find pre-sliced pork specifically for hot pot at Asian grocery stores, or slice it yourself at home. Again, 4 to 8 ounces of pork per person is a good guideline.

Chicken

Chicken is a lean protein option for hot pot. Boneless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced, are the best cuts to use. Chicken cooks quickly in the hot pot broth, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. Aim for 4 to 8 ounces of chicken per person.

Fish

White fish, such as tilapia, bass, or flounder, work well for hot pot. Look for thinly sliced fish fillets or slices. You can also find fish balls in the freezer section of Asian grocery stores, which are a fun addition to the hot pot. Fish cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. About 4 to 8 ounces of fish per person is a good guideline.

In general, when preparing meat for hot pot, look for thin slices or small pieces that will cook quickly in the broth. You can often find meat pre-sliced specifically for hot pot at Asian grocery stores. If you can't find pre-sliced meat, partially freezing the meat before slicing will make it easier to cut thin slices. Remember to cook meat thoroughly in the hot pot broth to ensure food safety.

Vegetables: Cabbage, spinach, mushrooms, or bamboo shoots

When it comes to hot pot, vegetables are a key component. Here are some tips and suggestions for preparing and serving cabbage, spinach, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots for your hot pot party:

Cabbage:

Napa cabbage is a popular choice for hot pot. Cut the leaves into strips or small bite-sized pieces. You can also use Chinese cabbage (bak choy). Lightly stir-frying cabbage with some garlic, salt, and soy sauce can enhance its flavour.

Spinach:

Spinach is a great option for hot pot as it cooks quickly and adds a nutritious boost to the meal. Add spinach towards the end of the cooking process, as it only needs a short time in the broth to cook through.

Mushrooms:

A variety of mushrooms can be used for hot pot, such as oyster mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms. Slice the mushrooms thinly and add them to the broth. Mushrooms can also be stir-fried with other vegetables, such as cabbage, for a tasty side dish.

Bamboo Shoots:

Bamboo shoots are another excellent choice for hot pot. They are often sold in cans or jars, so be sure to drain them before adding them to your hot pot. Bamboo shoots have a crisp texture and a mild flavour, making them a versatile ingredient.

When preparing vegetables for hot pot, it's important to cut them into bite-sized pieces so they are easy to eat. Wash and trim the vegetables, and consider blanching or lightly cooking them before adding them to the broth to enhance their flavour and texture. It's also a good idea to provide a variety of vegetables to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.

Dipping sauces: Soy sauce, sesame oil, or chilli oil

Dipping sauces are an essential part of the hot pot experience. Here are some ideas for sauces that include soy sauce, sesame oil, or chilli oil:

Light Sesame Soy Sauce

A simple recipe that combines sesame oil, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and chopped spring onion. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a crunchy texture. This sauce is perfect for those who want an Asian-inspired dish.

Chilli Oil Vinegar Dip

Chilli oil is the star of this recipe, adding a wonderful flavour and kick to the dip. It's perfect for dipping vegetables, meat, and more. Simply combine chilli oil with minced garlic, black vinegar, light soy sauce, and chopped spring onion.

Taiwanese Shacha Sauce

This sauce includes minced garlic, chopped red chilli (optional), green onion, Taiwanese Shacha sauce, and black vinegar. Shacha sauce is a ready-to-go explosion of flavour, including chilli, garlic, shallot, dried shrimp, and brill fish.

Basic Hot Pot Dipping Sauce

A simple sauce that combines Chinese sesame paste, sha cha sauce, light soy sauce, chilli oil, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar or Chinese black vinegar, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and chopped scallion.

Custom Sauce Station

Instead of providing specific sauces, you can set up a custom sauce station and let your guests create their own unique dipping sauces. Some ingredients you can provide include soy sauce, hot chilli or sesame oil, rice vinegar, black bean sauce, minced garlic and ginger, sliced scallions, slivered hot peppers, peanut sauce, fresh cilantro, chilli paste, and lime juice.

Dessert: Grass jelly, coconut milk, or palm seeds

Grass jelly is a dessert commonly enjoyed in Southeast Asia, especially in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. It is usually eaten as a cold dessert, but in Taiwan, it is also consumed as a hot dessert during the winter months. Grass jelly is typically served in a firm, solidified form, either chopped finely and added to cold drinks, or cut into cubes and enjoyed as a chilled dessert with ice cubes and syrup. In Hong Kong, it is often eaten with cubed fresh fruits, such as mango, watermelon, and honey melon. In Taiwan, grass jelly is served chilled and jellified using agar or gelatine, with toppings such as taro balls, tapioca pearls, small glutinous rice dumplings, and candied condiments like red and green beans, and taro cubes. A unique Taiwanese twist is the addition of roasted and salted peanuts, lending a crunchy texture and a hint of saltiness to the sweet dessert.

To make hot grass jelly, you will need the following ingredients: dried grass jelly twigs and leaves, dried longan, water, baking soda, unrefined light brown sugar, corn flour, and toasted peanuts. You can also add other toppings of your choice, such as taro balls, glutinous rice dumplings, candied yam, or red beans. The process involves cooking the grass jelly twigs and leaves with the other ingredients, straining the mixture, adding sugar, and boiling it down to the desired concentration. Corn flour is then added to thicken the mixture, and it is kept warm until ready to serve.

Coconut milk is another versatile ingredient that can be used to create creamy and rich desserts. It is an excellent substitute for regular dairy milk in dishes such as ice cream, rice pudding, or baked treats like cakes and flan. Coconut milk can also be used in combination with shredded coconut to enhance the flavour of desserts. For example, coconut milk can be used to make a tropical pudding by pairing it with chia seeds and agave nectar, resulting in a sweet and healthy treat. Additionally, coconut milk can be incorporated into baked goods like coconut cake, where it is combined with shredded coconut to create a flavourful and flaky texture.

Palm seeds, also known as palm hearts or palm tree cabbage, are edible and can be used in various dishes, including desserts. They have a crunchy texture and a mild, nutty flavour, making them a unique and tasty addition to sweet treats. While I couldn't find specific dessert recipes that use palm seeds, you can probably incorporate them into existing dessert recipes or create your own unique dessert by pairing them with other ingredients.

Frequently asked questions