Hotpots are the latest food trends that have taken over Pakistan. In recent days, the people have experienced with different food options, and have developed a liking for different cuisines.
At first, it was Korean ramen and Kimchi that everyone had over heels, no matter how spicy they were – and now hotpots have done the same. Family and friends are always rushing to restaurants to get a taste.
However today, we will share easy-to-make hotpot recipes with you so that you can enjoy a delicious bowl of yumminess in the comfort of your home.
P.S: If you don’t have a burner you can always keep your pot simmering on the stove at low heat as an alternative.
1. Spicy Hot Pot
To start off with the spicy hot pot, you will require some ingredients. If you don’t have the ingredients mentioned below, then that is not an issue as you can always use alternative ingredients or make a broth of your own.
To start off, for the broth you will need:
- Whole chicken
- Scallion
- Ginger
Let it simmer for at least 2 hours. On the other hand, to prepare the spice blend for a mix of flavours, you’ll need:
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Cumin
- Clove
- Fennel
- Sichuan Pepper (chilli flakes)
- Black Cardamom
- Fructus Amomi
- Star Anise
- Bay Leaves
Mix the dry ingredients together in a chopper and keep asides. Meanwhile, to make chilli paste, use another pot with water, add a heap of dried chilli peppers and let it boil for a good 5 minutes. Once done, take the pepper out using a strainer. Chop the peppers finely to make a paste-like texture.
Now, fry some chopped scallions, chopped garlic, and chopped ginger, and add the chilli paste. You can add bean paste to enhance the flavour, followed by green Sichuan peppercorn, lump sugar, add the spice blend and fermented rice.
Next, take your protein of choice, and marinate it according to your liking. In a burner (or pot) add the paste you just made, add salt to taste, ginger, scallions, and the broth (without the chicken). Let the pot boil, and then add the protein of your choice to it. Once your protein is well-cooked, you can start digging in!
2. Sichuan Hot Pot
Source: Worksoflife
For the Sichuan Hot Soup base you’ll need:
- Ginger
- Bay Leaves
- Garlic
- Star anise
- Cloves
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Whole dried red chillies
Use all of these ingredients to create the base by frying them on medium heat. To make the dipping sauce, you’ll need;
- Soy sauce
- Sacha sauce
- Chili oil or paste
- Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar
- Sesame paste or peanut butter
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped peanuts
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped scallions
- Chopped garlic
Lastly, use all the ingredients from the base and add hot broth to it. You can add a choice of protein and other favourites like mushrooms or Dim Sum accordingly.
3. Vegan Hot Pot
Source: Sinful Foodie
For those who are not a fan of protein, this recipe is for you. Here’s everything you need:
For Soup:- Onion, Ginger, Raddish, Tomato, Carrot, Green Onion, Salt, Pepper, Soy Sauce, Vinegar, Sesame Oil, Shitake Mushroom , and Vegetable Stock, Broccoli, Veg Dimsum, Rice Noodles, Plain Tofu/Stuffed Tofu (optional) Rocket Leaves, Rocket Lettuce, Baby Spinach, and Corn Cob.
Sauces:- Chilly Garlic Oil, Sriracha Sauce, and Thai Sauce.
Firstly, add some oil to the pot and throw in the opinions and ginger. Then add carrots, radish, tomatoes, mushrooms, and scallions. Give it another good stir until they are properly stirred. All water, seaweed (optional), soya sauce, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer.
Add stock (cubes) to the base and stir. Add a bit of sesame oil and chilli oil followed by broccoli, Brussel sprouts, tofu, and rice noodles. After a while add the remaining veggies and dim sum. Once the veggies and Dim Sum is cooked, you are ready to dig in.
Which one is your favourite? Share with us in the comments below.
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