Microwave Hotpot

I’ve been meaning to try this recipe ever since @cafemaddy posted it, but never got around to doing it UNTIL I was a little too under the weather and eventually sick girl got to eat. This was truly a delightfully easy Microwave Hotpot recipe, that is made even more effortless if you’ve meal prepped some vegetables over the weekend like I did. If you’re not meal prepping your ingredients, it’s a serious game changer! In this post, I detail my weekly routine to make my weekly meals effortless. how to meal plan.

This was such an easy and nourishing meal for sick days, but I can foresee myself making this even on days when I’m simply craving a warm, comforting meal without the hassle! The one addition I did that is personally a must-have, is to include a few sauce options. After all, what’s a hotpot without some sauce!

What is Microwave Hotpot?

Microwave hotpot is a simplified version of the classic hotpot, a popular Asian dish known for its comforting broth and fresh ingredients. Traditionally, hotpot involves simmering a variety of ingredients like vegetables, meat, and tofu in a flavourful broth at the table. In this microwave version, we streamline the process by using the microwave to cook everything in one container, delivering a delicious and nourishing meal in minutes – yes! Everything cooks adequately!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Quick and Easy: Ready in just 6 to 8 minutes!
• Effortless: Minimal prep and cleanup.
• Comforting: Perfect for when you’re feeling sick or need a cozy meal.
• Healthy: Packed with nutritious vegetables and lean beef.
• Versatile: Customize with your favorite ingredients.

Key Ingredients for Microwave Hot Pot

Vegetables of Choice

Any vegetable should work; make sure the combination can cook at the same time. I like to have a colourful array of vegetables for the most nutritional value.

1. Enoki Mushrooms: Delicate and slightly crunchy, these mushrooms add a unique texture.
2. Carrots: Adds a touch of sweetness and colour. Since carrots require a longer cook time to tenderise than the rest of the ingredients here, make sure to thinly slice. In this recipe, I meal prepped larger discs of carrots, so it was still crunchy by the time the hotpot cooked – but I didn’t mind it at all.
3. Cherry Tomatoes: Bursts of juicy flavour that complement the broth.
4. Yau Mak Chye: Or any Asian greens of choice.
5. Cabbage: Adds bulk and absorbs the flavourful broth.

Proteins of Choice

Thinly Sliced Beef (sirloin, striploin, ribeye, brisket): These can also be known as shabu shabu beef or beef rolls. It cooks quickly and adds a rich, savoury taste to the hotpot! It defrosts quickly too, which is a bonus BUT you can also throw it in the hotpot frozen straight away and cook. Simply add 2 minutes to the regular cook times.

Everything Else

1. Aromatics: Garlic and ginger paste is essential for depth of flavour, and a boost of antioxidants – much needed for when you’re sick!
2. Soy Sauce: Salt will work as well, but soy sauce seasons and gives a layer of umami.
3. Dashi Stock: The base of our broth, provides a light and savoury flavor. Any other stock such as chicken will work as well. I happen to have a jug of dashi meal-prepped and ready to go in the fridge, but if you don’t have any stock, then just use water! If you want to know how I make my dashi stock, see this post!

EASY HOTPOT SAUCES

Here are some simple and delicious hotpot dipping sauce recipes to enhance your microwave hotpot experience; simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl:

1. Thai Spicy Sweet Sauce

• 2 tbsp Thai sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tbsp dashi or water
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 stalk cilantro, chopped

2. Classic Soy Sauce Hotpot Sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp dashi or water
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• Optional: 1 tsp chili oil for heat

3. Nuoc Cham

• 4 tbsps fish sauce
• 2 tbsps vinegar
• 2 tbsps lime juice
• 2 tbsps sugar
• 2 tsps garlic cloves
• 2 stalks birds eye chillies
• 2 tbsps water

Other Sauce options:

I always have these in the fridge, they work beautifully with microwave hotpot.

• Thai Sukiyaki Sauce
• Sambal Kicap

Key Steps to Making Microwave Hotpot

1. Prep the Ingredients

• If you haven’t already, prepare the vegetables of choice. Slice the carrot into thin rounds, halve the cherry tomatoes, and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.

2. Assemble in a Microwaveable Container

• Place the enoki mushrooms, carrot slices, cherry tomato halves, green vegetables, chopped cabbage, and shabu shabu beef in a large microwave-safe container. The order does not matter, but you might want to place the heavier items at the bottom so it doesn’t bruise the leafy vegetables.

3. Make the Seasoning Broth

• Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and soy sauce to stock or water. Stir until well combined. Pour evenly over the ingredients in the container.
• When I first attempted this recipe, I added the minced garlic and ginger, stock, and soy sauce straight into the container with all of the ingredients. Once cooked, mix to combine. This works as well, but my preferred method is combining all of the seasonings into the stock and pouring it over for even distribution of flavour.

4. Microwave

• Cover the container with a microwave-safe lid or plate.
• Microwave on high for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender to preference.

5. Make the Sauce

• While that’s microwaving, prepare the dipping sauce of choice.

6. Stir and Serve

• Carefully remove the container from the microwave and give the contents a quick stir to combine all the flavors.
• Serve immediately, either straight from the container or transferred to bowls. For a more filling meal, serve with with a side of rice!

How to Serve

Serve your microwave hotpot straight from the container for a fuss-free meal, or transfer it to a bowl for a more traditional presentation. Garnish with chopped cilantro or spring onions for an extra touch of fresh flavour.

To turn this into a more complete meal, serve with a side of steamed rice or noodles.

Storing and Reheating

Storing

Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheating

Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

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