Yes, It’s Possible: Making Hot Pot in a Slow Cooker
Hot pot is a delicious and cozy meal that’s perfect for chilly winter nights. Traditionally, hot pot is cooked in a round pot filled with simmering broth, with various meats, seafood, and vegetables added in. However, what if you don’t have a hot pot set or don’t want to stand over a boiling pot all night? The good news is that you can make hot pot in a slow cooker! Here’s how:
Choose Your Broth
The broth is the most important part of hot pot, so choose a good one. You can easily make your own broth by simmering beef bones, chicken bones, or a combination of the two with vegetables and aromatics like ginger and garlic. If you don’t have time to make your own broth, you can use store-bought broth or bouillon.
Add Your Ingredients
Once you have your broth, you can start adding your ingredients to the slow cooker. Start with thinly sliced meats like beef, lamb, chicken, or pork. Then add in seafood like shrimp, squid, or fish balls. You can also add vegetables like sliced onions, carrots, and cabbage.
Cook It Slow and Low
Set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for several hours. The beauty of using a slow cooker is that you don’t have to stand over it and monitor it constantly. You can let it cook while you go about your day, and come back to a delicious hot pot dinner.
Enjoy with Dipping Sauces
Hot pot is traditionally enjoyed with dipping sauces made with soy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, and other seasonings. You can make your own dipping sauces at home or buy pre-made ones at the grocery store. Try different combinations of sauces to find your favorite!
