Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Homemade Hot Pot Soup Base For Superior Results

By Georgia Diaz


A hot pot soup base is the new trendy way to entertain and with the uncomplicated preparation and little equipment needed, it is no wonder. The meal is prepared in one pot, making for very little cleaning up, and it is of course the ultimate in comfort food, perfect for a cosy winter evening with friends and family.

This dish originated in Mongolia many centuries ago and the meal was later adopted by a variety of other cultures. It involves a pot of simmering broth in the middle of the table with an array of thinly sliced ingredients being added at the end to finish off the dish. This colorful array of finishings can be as simple or elaborate as one chooses and the varieties of combinations are endless.

The stock which is the base of this dish needs to be very flavorful and well executed for the end result to taste great. For those who are experts in the kitchen it is recommended to make a stock from scratch using bones, vegetables and spices. This is often a lengthy process and for those who find this a bit daunting, purchasing stock at the local supermarket is fine. The quality, as mentioned, is of utmost importance so be sure to buy a reputable brand.

Very often when entertaining, one faces the problem of entertaining for a wide audience with vast dietary requirements. There are a variety of pots on the market now that have two separate compartments, allowing two broths to be made simultaneously. This means that one half can be vegetarian, with a variety of vegetables being added to the finished broth, while the other can be meat or seafood based.

Many of the modern pots are compartmentalized and provide two or more separate compartments for cooking various broths simultaneously. This is perfect when entertaining as one batch can be made vegetarian, another incorporating meat and a third perhaps with seafood. This is an easy, hassle free solution and saves the cook from preparing an entirely separate meal for those guests.

This may sound like a daunting task at first but it really is quite simple. Although the process takes up a lot of time, the results are definitely worth the wait. The prepared stock can be reduced to the required consistency and a large batch can even be frozen to save time next time around. Fish, chicken or vegetable stock can be made in much a similar way but the cooking time required is between 20min to an hour.

The produce added at the end often determines the end result and this can be done with a certain cuisine in mind. If adding dried mushrooms, soy sauce and bonito flakes the meal can have a decidedly Japanese feel. If adding lime juice, galangal and fish sauce the feel will lend itself more to Thai. The theme can even be incorporated into the decor and costumes for the evening, creating a fun atmosphere.

Hot pot soup base is easy to prepare and should be prepared from scratch for the maximum results. The flavor obtained from home making this is unsurpassed and the process is very simple and easy, although it can take a bit of time. Try making a base from scratch today.




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