· Recipe · 4 min read
Unlock the Secrets of the Perfect Soup Base for Your Malatang
Malatang is a spicy dish made with ingredients like broccoli, tofu skin, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and hot pot meatballs. Start by cutting and washing the vegetables. Sauté minced garlic, ginger, and spices to create a rich soup base. Simmer with water and seasonings, then cook the vegetables and meatballs in the broth. Serve the dish hot, enjoying its flavorful and aromatic qualities.
Ingredients:
• Broccoli
• Tofu skin
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Enoki mushrooms
• Baby cabbage
• Hot pot meatballs
• Garlic
• Green onion
• Ginger
• Sichuan peppercorns
• Dried chilies
• Hot pot base (30 grams)
• Butter (50 grams)
• Salt (5 grams)
• Chicken essence (5 grams)
• Rapeseed oil
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
• Cut broccoli into small pieces.
• Slice tofu skin into wide strips.
• Halve shiitake mushrooms.
• Wash enoki mushrooms and remove the roots.
• Cut baby cabbage into long strips.
2. Wash the Ingredients:
• Rinse each ingredient thoroughly to remove dust and impurities.
• Break up enoki mushrooms by hand.
• Set aside an appropriate amount of hot pot meatballs.
3. Prepare the Aromatics:
• Mince garlic and chop green onion and ginger.
• Combine with Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies.
• Slice the hot pot base and set aside.
4. Make the Soup Base:
• Heat a pot and add rapeseed oil and butter.
• Once melted, lower the heat and stir-fry scallions, ginger, garlic, and spices.
• Add bean paste and fermented black beans; simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Simmer the Soup:
• Pour water into the pot, followed by salt and chicken essence.
• Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes to blend the flavors.
6. Blanch the Vegetables:
• Use a strainer to immerse broccoli in the soup.
• Remove after 1 minute to maintain its crispness.
7. Cook the Remaining Ingredients:
• Add tofu skin and mushrooms to the pot, followed by baby cabbage, enoki mushrooms, and meatballs.
• Cook for 2 minutes and serve with a spoonful of soup base over the side dishes.
Tips:
• For a flavorful soup base, fry over low heat before boiling.
• Use a strainer to separate food while blanching to keep the dish visually appealing.
FAQs:
1. What ingredients are essential for an authentic soup base?
Cooks might wonder which specific spices and sauces are crucial for achieving the traditional flavor profile of Malatang. Ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilies, and bean paste may be unfamiliar, so understanding their roles can help replicate authenticity.
2. How can I adjust the spice level to suit my taste?
Since Malatang can be quite spicy, cooks may want to know how to modify the amount of dried chilies or Sichuan peppercorns to make the soup more palatable for those who prefer milder flavors.
3. What cooking techniques enhance the flavor of the soup base?
Home cooks might seek advice on specific techniques, such as the proper way to sauté aromatics or the importance of simmering times, to ensure the soup base is flavorful and well-balanced.
