FOOD:
Hot pot ("hwo-guo" in Chinese) is by far, one of my favorite things to eat...especially when it's under 65 degrees outside. That's right, I've lived in California all my life. Anything under 65 is cold.
Ok, to be honest, hot pot is a type of fondue. But it's not just any fondue you'll find at "The _elting _ot". It takes some Chinese mama's elbow grease to make a great hot pot. A trip to 99 Ranch should get you the right ingredients. So plan early and shop right. But how and what do I eat?!?! Well, it’s like fondue in the sense that you have a hot pot (thus the name) of soup in the middle of the table with various meats, veggies, and other goodies around it. You cook everything yourself and use your own dipping sauce for everything you eat.
EQUIPMENT:
A portable burner: These shouldn’t cost you more than $14-$16 at 99 Ranch. Anything more than that, you’re not getting ripped off, but it’s just unnecessary.
A right sized pot: I have no idea how much these cost, but I can’t image them to be more than a few dollars. There are several types of hot-pot-pots. The kind I like the best are the ones that you can turn upside down and wear like a helmet (no splits down the middle or extra compartments).
Butane: Given that hot pot is not just a meal, but an experience, you'll need about 2 cans (it's last you a good 3 hours easily).
SOUP:
This is where big honkin’ pork bones come in handy. Bring a big stock pot of water to a boil and boil these bad boys until they’re cooked. Drain the pot and scrub the pork bones with a clean toothbrush (then throw the toothbrush away). Oh and make sure you wash the stock pot…there’s a reason why God said pork is unclean. Bring another batch of water to a boil with the cooked and scrubbed bones in it and throw in any veggies you desire. But I do have some recommendations. Stick to napa cabbage, frozen tofu, fish balls, etc. No carrots or eggplant…that’s just weird. Bring this soup to a boil and let it simmer for about an hour and season lightly with salt.
SAUCE:
There are many different ways to make a great sauce, but mine’s just better. Mix Bullhead (brand) Chinese barbecue sauce, minced garlic, finely chopped green onions, finely chopped cilantro, and throw in just a spoonful of that awesome soup you just made, I promise I won’t tell.
MAIN INGREDIENTS:
Meats: You can go with anything you want here, but I like to stick with thinly sliced rib eye and lamb. Oh and when I say thin, I mean PAPER THIN. Can’t find it at Stater’s? Yeah, that’s why we need a 99 Ranch. I also know people who like to being canned oysters to throw in the pot, or beef tripe (awesome), or even fish filets (super awesome). These fish filets are also really easy to include in your line up. Find frozen filets of your favorite fish (try to avoid flaky fish…fishing for fish in hot pot is no fun) and cut them into 2” squares.
Veggies: Again, you can get whatever veggies that float your boat, but broccoli is as American I’ll go here. Nothing against American veggies, but Chinese leafy greens are just easier to cook (and find) in the hot pot.
So hot pot is a classic way for families and friends to get together on a cold winter night and share a meal that warms you to the core. There is no wrong way to have hot pot in terms of what you cook and eat, but there are traditions that have been handed down for generations…I don’t think anyone’s complained yet. Need I also mention that you’re boiling everything you eat? How much healthier can you get? Mom: “That’s not fat, it’s just the skin by the meat.”
