Supreme Hot Pot Recipes

Steps:

• For the pork broth: Fill a 7-quart Dutch oven with 12 cups cold water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, soak the pork bones in cold water in a large bowl, to remove some of the blood, for about 20 minutes or until the water boils. Add the bones to the pot and boil until the water darkens and there's a lot of foam on the surface, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse the bones and clean the pot of any residue.
• Return the pork bones to the pot and add the carrots, corn, daikon and 16 cups cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the broth is very milky, about 2 1/2 hours. Skim off any dark proteins and fat, then lightly season with salt.
• Transfer the pork broth, along with the bones and other solids, which will continue to flavor the broth, to an 11-inch hot pot pot with a divider. Add the chili oil to one side of the pot. Place the pot on a portable butane burner and bring to a boil over high heat.
• For the components: Meanwhile, arrange the beef, fish, cabbage, spinach, potatoes, pumpkin, eggs, fish tofu and udon noodles on plates or platters, as you like. Set out at least two pairs of chopsticks or tongs and small strainer baskets (these are useful when cooking more fragile ingredients, such as fish, tofu and the like). As for the chopsticks/tongs, let everyone know not to use the same pair for picking up raw and cooked meat and fish.
• For the condiments: Create a "dipping sauce station" with any of the condiments, along with a bunch of small plates and bowls. Each person can mix and match them as they like.
• Once the broth is boiling, start cooking! Let each person cook their own ingredients in the broth (the side with the chili oil is spicier), being mindful not to overcrowd the pot. If the broth reduces too much and you still have raw ingredients left, add some warm water to the pot and bring to a boil. If you like, you can eat the marrow from the pork bones.
• Proteins-Thinly sliced chicken, pork or lamb, mini-pork sausages, low-sodium luncheon meat cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, shellfish, fish cakes, tofu
• Vegetables-sweet potato, kabocha squash, watercress, bok choy, corn on the cob, lotus root, kale, chile peppers, tomato, bean sprouts, enoki, shiitake or button mushrooms
• Noodles, etc.-ramen noodles, rice noodles, konjac noodle knots, dumplings, rice cakes, dried tofu sticks
• Stir together the Pork Broth, BBQ sauce, sesame paste, oyster sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic and scallions in a small bowl until combined.

Steps:

• To make the soup, place all the broth ingredients in a large pot, cover with cold water and simmer, skimming often, for 4 hours. Remove from heat. Strain the broth, discarding the vegetables and the chicken, and refrigerate. Remove the layer of fat that forms on the surface.
• To make the dumplings, process the shrimp in a food processor until it is a fine paste. Add the remaining ingredients and process briefly to combine.
• Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Gather it together and throw it against the bowl about 10 times until the mass is firm. With damp hands, form the mixture into 20 balls.
• Place half of the chicken broth in a pot, bring to a simmer and gently add the shrimp dumplings. Allow the broth to reach a boil and continue simmering the dumplings for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, gently remove them from the broth, place in a colander, cool completely under cold, running water and set aside. Strain the broth into a clean container and set aside.
• To make the pork rolls, lightly beat the eggs and place near the stove. Combine the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and place near the stove along with a glass of ice water and a teaspoon and a tablespoon measure.
• Place a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and move the skillet around until the oil completely covers the bottom of it. When the oil is hot, drop a tablespoon of the egg mixture into the skillet. Immediately dip the teaspoon into the ice water, fill it with the pork mixture and place the mixture on one half of the small pancake. With a spatula, fold the other side over to create a miniature omelet. Flip to cook on the other side and immediately remove to a tray and set aside. Repeat until you have used up the pork mixture, adding oil as needed.
• To complete the hot pot, place the reserved chicken broth and the strained broth used for cooking the shrimp in a large pot, preferably one that can be used to serve from at the table. Bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and white pepper to taste. Add the mushrooms and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fresh shrimp and cook for 3 minutes. Add the cabbage and cellophane noodles and continue cooking until the pot begins to simmer.
• Carefully add the shrimp dumplings and then the pork rolls in egg wrapper to the soup. Cover. Simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Place the pot in the middle of the table and ladle into soup bowls.