Mala Hot Pot | 麻辣火鍋

Mala Hot Pot is a traditional Sichuan dish known for its spicy, numbing broth and communal style of eating. Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

For the Mala Broth:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3-4 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 10-15 dried red chilies
• 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 piece of ginger, sliced
• 2-3 tablespoons doubanjiang (spicy fermented bean paste)
• 2-3 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 1.5 liters chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt to taste

For the Hot Pot Ingredients:

• Thinly sliced beef, lamb, and/or pork
• Shrimp, fish balls, and squid
• Tofu and tofu skin
• Fresh vegetables (bok choy, spinach, napa cabbage, mushrooms, etc.)
• Noodles or vermicelli
• Bean sprouts
• Potato slices

For the Dipping Sauce:

• Sesame paste or peanut butter
• Soy sauce
• Chopped garlic
• Chopped scallions
• Fresh cilantro
• Chili oil
• Black vinegar

Instructions

1. Prepare the Mala Broth:
   • Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
   • Add the Sichuan peppercorns and dried red chilies, sauté until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
   • Add the minced garlic and sliced ginger, sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
   • Stir in the doubanjiang and cook for 2-3 minutes.
   • Add star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.
   • Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock.
   • Add soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, and salt to taste.
   • Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Hot Pot Ingredients:
   • Arrange the meats, seafood, tofu, vegetables, and other hot pot ingredients on plates for easy access.
3. Prepare the Dipping Sauce:
   • In small bowls, combine sesame paste or peanut butter with soy sauce.
   • Add chopped garlic, scallions, cilantro, chili oil, and black vinegar to taste. Mix well.
4. Serve the Hot Pot:
   • Place the pot of mala broth on a portable burner or hot pot set in the center of the dining table.
   • Each person can add their chosen ingredients to the boiling broth, cooking them to their desired doneness.
   • Once cooked, dip the ingredients into the prepared dipping sauce and enjoy.

Tips

• Adjust the amount of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies to control the spiciness and numbing effect.
• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best hot pot experience.
• Keep extra broth or hot water nearby to add to the pot as the liquid reduces.

Enjoy your homemade Mala Hot Pot, a spicy and flavorful dish perfect for sharing with family and friends!