Hotpot
The preparation of hotpot ingredients emphasizes variety and freshness, starting with selecting fresh meats such as beef, lamb, and pork, which are sliced into thin pieces. Seafood like fish fillets, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish also need to be fresh and properly handled. Vegetables including cabbage, spinach, enoki mushrooms, and tofu skin are washed and cut into slices or cubes. Tofu products like tofu, tofu skin, and 宽粉 (wonton wrappers) are essential as well. In addition, there are various meatballs, fish balls, and pork balls as auxiliary ingredients. Finally, prepare a variety of hotpot bases and condiments, as well as personal dipping sauces preferred by diners, such as sesame paste, peanut butter, garlic paste, and cilantro. The preparation of ingredients requires washing, slicing, and categorizing to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and diverse, catering to the taste preferences of different diners.
### Step 1: Prepare Hotpot Base and Tools
**Materials Needed:**
- Hotpot base (can choose between commercially available Sichuan hotpot base or other flavors)
- Beef tallow or vegetable oil
- Scallions, ginger slices, garlic cloves
- Chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns (adjust according to taste)
**Tools Needed:**
- Hotpot炉 (hotpot stove) or induction cooktop
- Hotpot cookware (partitioned pot or regular pot)
- Chopsticks, slotted spoons, and other utensils
### Step 2: Simmer the Hotpot Broth
1. Add an appropriate amount of water to the pot, and add sliced scallions, ginger slices, and garlic cloves.
2. Bring the water to a boil, then add the hotpot base, simmering on low heat to allow the flavors to fully develop.
3. If using beef tallow, melt it first, filter out any impurities, and then slowly add it to the broth to enhance the aroma and texture.
### Step 3: Prepare Hotpot Ingredients
**Meat:**
- Sliced beef, lamb, and pork, which need to be marinated in advance with cooking wine, light soy sauce, egg whites, and cornstarch for flavor.
**Seafood:**
- Fish fillets, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish, cleaned and set aside.
**Vegetables:**
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**Vegetables:**
- Cabbage, spinach, enoki mushrooms, tofu skin, and potatoes, washed and cut into suitable sizes for boiling.
**Others:**
- Tofu, tofu skin,宽粉 (wonton wrappers), various meatballs, fish balls, and pork balls as auxiliary ingredients.
### Step 4: Boil the Ingredients
1. Once the broth is fully prepared, bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Start by boiling vegetables first, as they cook quickly.
3. Then proceed with seafood, followed by meat.
4. Finally, add auxiliary ingredients like tofu skin and宽粉 to add texture.
### Step 5: Prepare Dipping Sauces
Prepare dipping sauces according to personal preference. Common sauces include:
- Sesame paste, peanut butter, minced garlic, cilantro, and scallions.
### Step 6: Enjoy the Hotpot
1. Scoop out the boiled ingredients and mix them with the dipping.
2. Gather with family or friends around the hotpot, boil and eat the ingredients, enjoying the warmth and joy that hotpot brings.
### Tips:
- Heat Control: Keep the broth boiling, but not too strongly to avoid burning the ingredients.
- Order of Ingredients: Boil vegetables first, then seafood and meat, and finally add auxiliary ingredients.
- Sauce Combination: Freely combine various seasonings according to personal taste.
By following these steps, you can easily make delicious hotpot at home and enjoy a warm and delightful culinary experience.