Discover the joy of Hot Pot (火鍋), a traditional communal meal where you and your guests cook a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables in a bubbling pot of savory broth. This interactive dining experience is perfect for gatherings and offers endless customization with your favorite ingredients and dipping sauces. Follow our easy recipe to create a delicious Hot Pot at home and enjoy a flavorful, interactive dining experience with friends and family.

Ingredients:

- Broth:

 - 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

 - 2 cups water

 - 3-4 slices of ginger

 - 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed

 - 2-3 stalks of green onion, chopped

 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce

 - 1 tablespoon miso paste (optional)

 - 1-2 star anise (optional)

 - Salt and pepper to taste

- Meats:

 - 200g thinly sliced beef

 - 200g thinly sliced pork

 - 200g chicken breast, sliced

- Seafood:

 - 200g shrimp, peeled and deveined

 - 200g fish fillets, sliced

- Vegetables:

 - 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

 - 1 cup bok choy or other leafy greens

 - 1 cup napa cabbage, chopped

 - 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced

 - 1 cup bean sprouts

- Additional Ingredients:

 - 200g tofu, cubed

 - 1 cup noodles (rice noodles or udon)

- Dipping Sauces (optional):

 - Soy sauce

 - Hoisin sauce

 - Sesame oil

 - Chili paste

 - Fresh cilantro

 - Chopped peanuts

Instructions:

Prepare the Broth:

  - In a large pot, combine chicken or vegetable broth and water.

  - Add ginger, garlic, green onion, soy sauce, miso paste, and star anise.

  - Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Prepare the Ingredients:

  - Arrange the sliced meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and noodles on separate plates or platters.

  - Set up dipping sauces and garnishes if desired.

Cook the Hot Pot:

  - Place the pot of broth on a portable burner at the center of the dining table.

  - Bring the broth to a gentle simmer.

  - Using chopsticks or a slotted spoon, add your chosen meats, seafood, vegetables, and tofu to the pot.

  - Cook each item until done, usually a few minutes for meats and seafood, and slightly longer for vegetables and tofu.

Enjoy:

  - Once cooked, retrieve your ingredients from the pot and dip them into your favorite sauces.

  - Continue adding and cooking ingredients in the simmering broth as desired.

Serve:

  - Serve the cooked items with noodles and dipping sauces.

  - Enjoy a fun and interactive dining experience with family and friends!

Nutritional values

Broth:

Chicken or Vegetable Broth (4 cups):

  - 40-80 calories

  - 4-6g protein

  - 6-8g carbohydrates

  - 0-2g fat

Benefits: Hydration, provides electrolytes, supports joint health (chicken broth), and offers vitamins and minerals (vegetable broth).

Water (2 cups):

  - 0 calories

  - 0g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Essential for hydration, aids digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation.

Ginger (3-4 slices):

  - 2 calories

  - 0g protein

  - 0.5g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, supports digestion, boosts immune function, reduces nausea.

Garlic (2-3 cloves):

  - 4 calories

  - 0g protein

  - 1g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Antibacterial, improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, boosts immune system.

Green Onion (2-3 stalks):

  - 5 calories

  - 0.3g protein

  - 1g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Rich in vitamin K, supports bone health, and aids digestion.

Soy Sauce (2 tablespoons):

  - 18 calories

  - 2g protein

  - 1g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Contains antioxidants, enhances flavor, but should be consumed in moderation due to high sodium content.

Miso Paste (1 tablespoon, optional):

  - 25 calories

  - 2g protein

  - 3g carbohydrates

  - 1g fat

Benefits: Contains probiotics, supports gut health, rich in vitamins and minerals.

Star Anise (1-2 pods, optional):

  - 23 calories

  - 1g protein

  - 4g carbohydrates

  - 1g fat

Benefits: Antimicrobial, aids digestion, rich in antioxidants.

Meats:

Beef (200g, thinly sliced):

  - 250 calories

  - 22g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 17g fat

Benefits: High in iron, supports muscle growth, provides B vitamins.

Pork (200g, thinly sliced):

  - 300 calories

  - 20g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 22g fat

Benefits: High in thiamine (vitamin B1), supports metabolism and nerve function.

Chicken Breast (200g, sliced):

  - 220 calories

  - 42g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 5g fat

Benefits: Low-fat protein source, helps with muscle repair and immune function.

Seafood:

Shrimp (200g, peeled and deveined):

  - 160 calories

  - 36g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 2g fat

Benefits: High in protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, promotes heart health.

Fish Fillets (200g, sliced):

  - 150-200 calories

  - 30-40g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 4-8g fat

Benefits: Rich in omega-3, promotes brain and heart health.

Vegetables:

Mushrooms (1 cup, sliced):

  - 15 calories

  - 2g protein

  - 3g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Boosts immune system, rich in antioxidants, supports heart health.

Bok Choy or Leafy Greens (1 cup):

  - 9 calories

  - 1g protein

  - 2g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: High in vitamin K, supports bone health, rich in fiber.

Napa Cabbage (1 cup, chopped):

  - 13 calories

  - 1g protein

  - 3g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Low in calories, good source of fiber and vitamins C and K.

Carrots (1 cup, thinly sliced):

  - 50 calories

  - 1g protein

  - 12g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: High in beta-carotene, supports eye health and immune function.

Bean Sprouts (1 cup):

  - 30 calories

  - 3g protein

  - 6g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Rich in vitamins C and K, promotes digestion and bone health.

Additional Ingredients:

Tofu (200g, cubed):

  - 140 calories

  - 15g protein

  - 5g carbohydrates

  - 8g fat

Benefits: Plant-based protein, rich in calcium, supports bone health.

Noodles (1 cup, rice noodles or udon):

  - 200-250 calories

  - 6-8g protein

  - 45-55g carbohydrates

  - 1-2g fat

Benefits: Provides energy, good source of carbohydrates for fuel.

Dipping Sauces (optional):

Soy Sauce (1 tablespoon):

  - 10 calories

  - 1g protein

  - 1g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Adds flavor, contains antioxidants but high in sodium.

Hoisin Sauce (1 tablespoon):

  - 35 calories

  - 1g protein

  - 7g carbohydrates

  - 1g fat

Benefits: Adds sweetness and umami flavor but high in sugar.

Sesame Oil (1 tablespoon):

  - 120 calories

  - 0g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 14g fat

Benefits: Rich in healthy fats, supports heart health, adds flavor.

Chili Paste (1 teaspoon):

  - 6 calories

  - 0g protein

  - 1g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Boosts metabolism, supports digestion, and adds spice.

Fresh Cilantro (1 tablespoon, chopped):

  - 1 calorie

  - 0g protein

  - 0g carbohydrates

  - 0g fat

Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, promotes detoxification and digestion.

Chopped Peanuts (1 tablespoon):

  - 50 calories

  - 2g protein

  - 2g carbohydrates

  - 4g fat

Benefits: Provides healthy fats, supports heart health, and adds crunch.