Hot pot, as one of China's original culinary delights, is a food loved by people of all ages. It's not just a cooking method; it's also a symbol of culture. DEMAQI electric pressure cookers have a dedicated hot pot mode, allowing you to experience an authentic hot pot feast at home during social gatherings and stay warm during the cold winter. With simple operation, customers can skip the complex steps of setting up a hot pot at home and enjoy the deliciousness of hot pot in the comfort of their own homes, experiencing its unique charm. In this blog post, we will focus on this mode, highlighting how to use DEMAQI's hot pot mode and offering some recommendations for hot pot-related content.
Explanation of DEMAQI Hot Pot Function
(1) With the lid open, press the "Hot Pot" button, and after waiting for 3 seconds, the machine will enter the working state. At this point, the "knob" on the 4.5L product can be turned to adjust the heat level, while the 6L product can adjust the heat level using the "+/-" buttons. The hot pot mode has a total of 6 heat levels, with P1 being the lowest heat and P6 being the highest heat. (Note: In hot pot mode, the machine does not have a keep-warm function, but you can use heat level P1 to maintain a warm state.)
(2) The hot pot mode requires the lid to be open for use, so you can use it in combination with a glass lid. When cooking in the hot pot, please use wooden spoons, wooden spatulas, or heat-resistant plastic spatulas to stir the food. Avoid using metal knives, spoons, or spatulas to prevent damage to the non-stick coating inside the pot.
(3) During operation, if you need to cancel the hot pot mode, simply press the "Keep Warm/Cancel" button, and the machine will return to standby mode.
The hot pot function of 4.5L products within the red circle range
How to Make Hot Pot at Home
Hot pot flavors can generally be categorized into several types, including clear broth, spicy, copper pot, Chaozhou beef, sour soup, lamb, tomato, and peppercorn, among others. In the case of the DEMAQI electric pressure cooker's hot pot mode, it is equipped with a dual-flavor pot, allowing users to select their preferred flavor based on personal taste during use.
Double-flavor hot pot
Introduction to Hot Pot Dining
Before starting a hot pot meal, you can choose your preferred base for the hot pot. For those who enjoy spicy flavors, you can use spicy hot pot base ingredients. Combine them with other seasonings and add enough water or broth. Once the base and water come to a rolling boil, you can begin the meal. These different flavored hot pot bases are readily available in most supermarkets, and you can customize them with additional seasonings to suit your personal taste.
Hot pot differs from other cuisines in that it doesn't serve fully cooked dishes to the table but rather semi-cooked ingredients that diners finish cooking themselves. The level of cooking for these ingredients is in the hands of the diners, which is why there are certain considerations when it comes to selecting ingredients. These ingredients can be categorized based on their nature into seafood, freshwater ingredients, various meats, and vegetables, among others.
(1) For thin and tender foods: These are suitable for quick blanching, and they can be used in just a moment. Using chopsticks or a ladle, briefly submerge the food in the hot broth. For example, duck intestines can be blanched for about 15 seconds before being ready to eat. Examples of such ingredients include spinach, pea shoots, duck intestines, kidney slices, and cilantro.
(2) For slightly denser and less easily cooked foods: These may require a bit more time in the hot pot, and you should observe the boiling of the water and changes in the appearance of the ingredients. For instance, beef slices may take approximately 1-2 minutes to cook. Examples of such ingredients include fatty beef slices, various meat slices, and lotus root slices.
(3) For dense and slow-to-cook ingredients: You can use a strainer or container to immerse these ingredients in the hot pot and wait for about 5-10 minutes before they are ready to eat. Examples of such ingredients include various types of meatballs, asparagus, duck blood, mushrooms, noodles, potato slices, and white radish slices.
Additionally, there is usually a sequence to the types of ingredients you cook. Typically, meat is cooked first, followed by vegetables. This is for two reasons: first, cooking vegetables first can affect the flavor of the broth as the chlorophyll in the ingredients can alter the taste of the soup base, leading to an undesirable change in the broth's texture. Second, starting with meat and then moving on to vegetables can help balance the richness of the meal.
Recommended ingredients and cooking time for hot pot
Dipping Sauces for Hot Pot
Dipping sauces are an essential part of the hot pot experience. Common dipping sauces include sesame oil, garlic paste, spicy sauce, and chili oil, among others. Dipping sauces serve multiple purposes, including cooling down the hot ingredients as they come out of the pot, preventing mouth burns, and enhancing the texture and flavor of the ingredients when paired with the right condiments.
Common Pairings of Hot Pot Dishes
Some Tips for Eating Hot Pot
(1) The mucous membranes in the human mouth can withstand temperatures up to 50°C. The broth in a hot pot can be very hot when it's boiling, making it easy to burn the mouth. Even after using dipping sauces to cool the food, it can still damage the mucous membranes. So, when eating hot pot, be patient and take small amounts of food and wait a moment before eating.
(2) To ensure the texture of the ingredients and to eliminate parasites that may be present in raw meat, it's essential to slice the ingredients thinly and cook them for a longer time before consumption.
(3) While eating hot pot, the heat from the food can raise the body's internal temperature. As a result, people tend to drink cold beverages to cool down quickly. However, this rapid change between hot and cold can damage the stomach lining, potentially leading to gastrointestinal issues. It's best to avoid consuming cold drinks during a hot pot meal.
(4) Spicy hot pot, especially the very spicy kind, is a popular choice for many. However, it's important not to overlook the level of spiciness. Excessive spiciness can cause strong irritation to the mucous membranes of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
(5) It's advisable not to consume too much of the hot pot broth. Hot pot broths are often prepared with high-fat ingredients like pork, beef, or lamb, along with various spices. Drinking too much broth can lead to health issues such as high cholesterol and gallstones.
These are some important considerations when enjoying hot pot. The electric pressure cooker is not just a kitchen tool; it's a convenient way to enjoy hot pot. It simplifies the traditional hot pot cooking process, making it quicker and more efficient. With the help of an electric pressure cooker, you can cook a variety of ingredients to perfection in a short amount of time, eliminating the need for long waits. Whether it's a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, you can prepare a delicious hot pot quickly. The combination of an electric pressure cooker and hot pot will enhance your culinary experiences, whether you're embarking on a personal culinary adventure or hosting a family gathering