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When you head up to Big Bear Lake, California you can expect a few things: Beautiful views, lasting memories, and a lot of bear-inspired lawn art. For food, you can count on various forms of heavy mountain fare (read: American food). So the last thing you expect to find in Big Bear is Authentic Chinese Cooking!
My newlywed friends, John & Christine played host to us in their beautiful home on Big Bear Lake, and Christine prepared the most amazing Sichuan meals ever! I was in heaven.
It all started with a delicious lunch: Noodle soup and dumplings.
The dipping sauce Christine made for the dumplings is so delicious! Roughly chopped garlic, ginger, cilantro and sesame oil. If I’m not mistaken, there’s something spicy in there, too!
UPDATE: Get the recipe for the dipping sauce here.
UPDATE: I made some perfect shrimp and used Christine’s yummy dipping sauce instead of Sriracha. Mmm… we likey that! More Perfecter Shrimp… Definitely a future episode.
Shrimp, mushrooms, noodles and “A” Choy surrounded by a steaming, flavorful broth.
A stroll on the lake after lunch…
And before Betty knew it the preparations for Hot-Pot were under way!
WARNING: Hot-Pot preparations are not your average preparations. We’re talkin’ A LOT of ingredients!
Sichuan Hot-Pot is a boiling pot of spicy, Sichuan yumminess. The spices specific to the Sichuan variety of Hot-Pot create a sensation on the tongue that is spicy and slightly numbing. Oh yes, we’re talking Hot, Hot-Pot!
The spice packets read: Sichuan Flavor Hot-Pot Seasoning; Chongqing Hot-Pot.
Tofu, veggies and meats are cooked in the boiling pot of yumminess then dredged (and allowed to cool) in a glorious bowl of dipping sauce. UPDATE: Get the recipe for the dipping sauce here.
Pay attention! The meatballs are underway.
Ma Ling Spicy Luncheon Loaf (read: Spam) opened.
The now innocent looking vessel of firey delight: The Hot-Pot pot.
Oh look, how cute! (That’s John in the canoe. If you look closely you can see Abigail, their super-cute Westie Terrier, looking for fish!)
I should mention that John is a great cook as well! He made a mean mountain breakfast while in Big Bear, AND he does a lot of their cooking at home… You rock, John!
Lotus root sliced. Christine says Lotus root is, “Good for man.”
Mushrooms. Mushrooms. Mushrooms.
So many different kinds of mushrooms. These Enokii are similar to noodles when cooked.
Then adds chicken broth. And oh, you’ll notice how the pot is split in two sections: Spicy and Spicier!
While things heat up on the stove, Christine finishes the dipping sauce.
Sesame oil puts out hot-pot-mouth-fires.
UPDATE: Get the recipe for the dipping sauce here.
Christine adds the ground pork meatballs to the boiling pot.
Everything else is nearby for cooking right at the table. The meatballs, shrimp, tofu and thin slices of beef were crowd favorites. The spam, different mushroom varieties, and Lotus root were a treat! Definitely not ingredients an averagebetty has everyday.
We ate and ate. Sure there’s a lot of preparation in this meal, but it’s so delicious! It’s a healthy AND fun way to share special time with friends! Thanks, Christine, for the delicious Hot-Pot…
I can hardly wait to make the Hot, Hot-Pot video!
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Mike Hawkins says
What a spread! Incredible.
Eating that kind of food on a regular basis, you begin to realize just how healthy and balanced the cuisine is. Meats are savoured in small portions, spices and other flavours are huge, vegetables are always a big part of the diet. Wonderful stuff.
Bill says
Betty, that meal looks very good. Can’t wait for the video.
Denise says
When I first found your site I saw a recipe for fried rice. Now I can’t seem to find it?
Average Betty says
Hey Mike!
It was incredible, wonderful stuff! So healthy and so flavorful. And eating as a group, it really gets people interacting and having fun!
Thanks, Bill! I can’t wait for the video either ;)
Average Betty says
Oh, Hi Denise!
Sorry my site is a little hard to navigate…
Here is the link to the Fried Rice Recipe.
If you go to the Archive you can find everything posted by month.
Hope this helps :)
Kirk says
Mmmmm. That looks delicious. Haven’t been to Big Bear in over 20 yrs… looks the same tho, according to the pictures… nice and relaxing. Looks like you had a good time. Looking forward to the vid.
Average Betty says
Hey Kirk, Yeah, I hadn’t been since 2006 and that was just too long. It is so relaxing… I hope to get back in the winter to see some snow :)
Judy says
Thanks for providing information and prices of different variety of shopping product. I need this info because i am using online shopping services.
Thanks
scott moorhouse says
Betty,
I do not know what the hell is wrong with my computer!I can’t watch your videos,but I am still with you!Your chow is yummy!!!
Scott
Average Betty says
Hi Scott!
Hmmm… you can’t watch any of the videos on the site? That is strange…
Thank goodness you’re still with me Scott, don’t know what I’d do without ya!
Cheers,
Betty
Christine Steendahl says
The pictures alone are amazing. The food looks delicious
Average Betty says
Hi Christine,
Thanks for stopping by :) Mmmm that meal was delicious. If only we *could* eat the pictures!
Cheers,
Betty
Cornelia says
Oh my. There is a hot pot restaurant a 20 minute drive away. They serve lovely mild broth and fiercely peppery hot broth. Goose uterus is on the menu, too. :0
I need hot pot. now.
Lovely post.
Average Betty says
Hi Cornelia,
OH MY is right! Goose uterus!?! Have you tried it?
Thanks for stopping by. Love your site too: http://www.homegrown.org/ :)
Cheers,
Betty
eleanor says
wow, hey did you use chopstick etc.?
looks soo tatsty!
cant wait for the video!
Amy Boyd says
hey there,
found your pics and explanations fantastic (I’m pregnant and craving strong dipping sauce flavours!).
Can you expand on what else goes into the pot apart from the Sichuan seasoning packet; was it oil with spring onions, garlic and chillis?
Any tips on making the soup as yummy as possible – adding chicken stock instead of just water (as my packet says).
The local Chinese take-away here in country Tasmania, Aus, just serves up Chinese food like it used to be watered down in the 70’s, not the genuine stuff so I’m looking to re-create at home with the help of some good Asian grocery stores opening up.
Amy
Average Betty says
Hi Amy,
Thank you and congratulations!
You got it – in addition to the Sichuan seasoning packet it was it oil with spring onions, garlic and chillis but also *minced ginger root*. And yes, you can see the chicken broth being added to the pot in the 6th photo from the bottom of the post.
Also, please take a look at this post: http://www.averagebetty.com/recipes/spicy-asian-dipping-sauce-recipe/
Hope this helps with your cravings!
Cheers,
Betty
Amy Boyd says
Thanks Betty,
hubby came home with some great Korean noodles, so we fried some beef up in garlic, soy and sesame oil, then added them to the accompanying Korean packet soup, vegetable content being vege noodles made with the vege peeler. Wasn’t bad , so your hot pot is planned for a more adult/chilli-friendly night sometime soon . . .
ps. I pretty much dreamt about that dipping sauce, it’s just the thing; just dreaming of enough time to make home-made dumplings too.
Crystal says
Wuwuwu… I am originally from Chongqing (the birthplace of hot pot), but currently live in Israel. I can’t find the necessary spices here – so my cousin sends me by mail so that I can cook hot-pot at home.
Looking at your pictures – mmm… so mouthwatering.
Average Betty says
Hi Crystal! Thanks for visiting my site!! My great friend Christine makes hot pot like no other… it is mouthwatering :) So good of your cousin – What new foods have you discovered in Israel that you like?
Name karen meyer says
Love it where do I find the split pan.
Average Betty says
Hi karen!
Google or search Amazon for “steamboat” “shabu shabu” “hot pot” with words like “pot” “electric” “divider” and you should be able to find one… So delicious! I am craving hot pot now :)
Myrth says
Where did you get the pot (the one split in two)? Having one of those would make my life so much easier! :)
Average Betty says
Hi Myrth,
Google or search Amazon for “steamboat” “shabu shabu” “hot pot” with words like “pot” “electric” “divider” and you should be able to find one.