Spicy Sichuan Shuizhu - A Fiery Delight

Ingredients

• 1 liter (4 cups) chicken or pork stock 1 liter (4 cups) chicken or pork stock
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
• 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 4 dried chili peppers, crushed 4 dried chili peppers, crushed
• 2 tablespoons fermented bean paste (doubanjiang) 2 tablespoons fermented bean paste (doubanjiang)
• 200g (7 oz) thinly sliced beef or pork 200g (7 oz) thinly sliced beef or pork
• 200g (7 oz) fresh seafood (shrimp, squid, or fish fillets) 200g (7 oz) fresh seafood (shrimp, squid, or fish fillets)
• 200g (7 oz) firm tofu, cubed 200g (7 oz) firm tofu, cubed
• 200g (7 oz) fresh mushrooms (shiitake or oyster mushrooms), sliced 200g (7 oz) fresh mushrooms (shiitake or oyster mushrooms), sliced
• 1 bunch leafy greens (bok choy or spinach), washed and trimmed 1 bunch leafy greens (bok choy or spinach), washed and trimmed
• 2 green onions, chopped 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (Shaoxing wine) 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (Shaoxing wine)
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 10g (Sugar: 2g)
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, sliced ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, and crushed dried chili peppers. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the fermented bean paste to the pot and continue to stir-fry for another minute.
3. 3.
   Pour in the chicken or pork stock and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. 4.
   While the broth is simmering, prepare the dipping sauce by combining soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and chopped green onions in a small bowl. Set aside.
5. 5.
   Arrange the thinly sliced meats, seafood, tofu, mushrooms, and leafy greens on a platter.
6. 6.
   Once the broth is ready, transfer it to a hot pot or a large pot with a heat source at the center of the dining table.
7. 7.
   Each diner can then select their desired ingredients and cook them in the hot broth until they are cooked through. This usually takes just a few seconds for thinly sliced meats and seafood, and a couple of minutes for vegetables and tofu.
8. 8.
   Once cooked, dip the ingredients into the prepared dipping sauce and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef or pork — For the best results, choose thinly sliced cuts of meat that are suitable for quick cooking, such as sirloin or tenderloin. If you prefer, you can also use pre-sliced meat from your local Asian grocery store.
• Seafood — Opt for fresh seafood that is firm and suitable for hot pot cooking. Shrimp, squid, and fish fillets work well in this recipe.
• Tofu — Use firm tofu to ensure it holds its shape during cooking. If desired, you can also use tofu puffs for added texture.
• Mushrooms — Shiitake or oyster mushrooms are traditional choices for this dish, but you can use any fresh mushrooms available to you.
• Leafy greens — Bok choy or spinach are popular choices, but you can use any leafy greens that you enjoy.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor of the broth, you can add a few slices of Chinese dried mushrooms or a small piece of dried tangerine peel during the simmering process.
• If you prefer a milder spice level, you can reduce the amount of dried chili peppers or remove the seeds before crushing them.
• Feel free to add additional vegetables or ingredients of your choice, such as enoki mushrooms, lotus root, or fish balls, to customize your hot pot experience.
• If you don't have a hot pot or a portable heat source, you can still enjoy this dish by cooking the ingredients in the broth on the stovetop and transferring them to individual bowls for serving.

Serving advice

Serve Spicy Sichuan Shuizhu with steamed rice or noodles to complement the flavors and soak up the delicious broth. Provide each diner with their own small bowl of dipping sauce for a burst of extra flavor.

Presentation advice

Present the hot pot at the center of the table, surrounded by the platter of raw ingredients. The vibrant red broth and colorful assortment of ingredients will create an enticing visual display. Encourage your guests to participate in the cooking process, making it a fun and interactive dining experience.