Warm and Hearty Dry Malatang: Perfect for Chilly Evenings!

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings: 6 pieces

• Lotus root: 1, peeled and sliced

• Lettuce: 1, peeled and cut into strips

• Carrot: 1, sliced into semicircles

• Hot pot meatballs: 1 bowl

• Round noodles: 2 pieces

• Ginger: 1 piece, sliced

• Garlic: 3 cloves, sliced

• Dried chilies: 2, chopped

• Cooking oil: as needed

• Hot pot base: to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare Chicken Wings: Clean the wings, drain, and make 2 cuts on each to enhance flavor absorption.

2. Prep Aromatics: Slice garlic, ginger, and chop dried chilies.

3. Marinate: Mix chicken wings with half of the ginger, marinate for 10 minutes.

4. Prep Vegetables: Slice lotus root, lettuce, and carrot.

5. Cook Noodles: Boil water, cook noodles, rinse in cold water.

6. Blanch Vegetables: Blanch lotus root, lettuce, and carrot for 2 minutes, then rinse.

7. Cook Meatballs: Add meatballs to boiling water for 2 minutes, then rinse.

8. Cook Chicken: Add marinated chicken wings to boiling water for 5 minutes, then rinse.

9. Stir-fry Base: Heat oil, add garlic, ginger, and chilies, stir-fry until fragrant. Add hot pot base and stir-fry until red oil appears.

10. Combine Ingredients: Add chicken wings and meatballs, stir-fry until coated.

11. Add Noodles and Veggies: Add blanched vegetables and cooked noodles, stir-fry evenly. Enjoy your delicious spicy hotpot!

Tips:

1. Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh chicken wings and vegetables for the best flavor and nutrition.

2. Adjust Spiciness: Feel free to modify the amount of dried chilies and hot pot base according to your heat preference.

3. Marination Time: Allow the chicken wings to marinate for at least 10 minutes to enhance the flavor.

4. Blanching is Key: Properly blanching vegetables and meat helps to remove impurities and ensures a cleaner taste.

5. Cooking Order: Follow the cooking order carefully to ensure that everything is cooked perfectly without overcooking.

6. Garnish: Consider adding fresh herbs like coriander or green onions as a garnish for added freshness and flavor.

FAQs:

Q1: Can I use frozen chicken wings instead of fresh?
A1: Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings! Just make sure to thaw them first before marinating and cooking. This will help them absorb the flavors better!

Q2: What can I substitute for hot pot base if I can’t find it?
A2: If you can’t find hot pot base, you can create your own by mixing soy sauce, chili oil, and some spices like garlic powder and ginger powder. Adjust the spice level to your liking!

Q3: Are there any alternatives to round noodles?
A3: Definitely! If you can’t find round noodles, you can use rice noodles, udon, or even ramen noodles. Just adjust the cooking time according to the type of noodle you choose!