The islet hot pot misses you in the West

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Very elaborate hot pot dish, not only delicious in taste but also beautiful in appearance, used to be an indispensable dish at parties in the West.

In the past, every time there was a party in my hometown, I always say that there was always a hot pot in the middle of the island. The name of the hot pot dish comes from the shape of the pot. The round pot has a handle, in the middle is a hollow aluminum tube protruding for coal, the heat from the coal in the aluminum tube will heat the broth in the pot without having to use a gas stove or alcohol stove at the bottom of the pot. The aluminum tube in the middle of the hot pot reminds people of the islands floating in the middle of the river in the West surrounded by water.

On some occasions of partying in the house, the ladies and aunts often get together a few meals in advance to prepare a menu to treat guests, and then each person divides and cooks a dish according to their forte. Some people choose to mix the lotus root chicken salad, the person in charge of arranging the dumplings, roasting the pork, pouring the jelly for dessert… And always, the islet hot pot is also for people with good cooking skills and seniority in charge. , because to cook a delicious isle pot is also very elaborate, not only delicious in taste but also beautiful in appearance, showing the ingenuity of the maker and the decent preparation of the owner.

Islet hot pot in the West has a rich sweet broth from bones and meat, rich side dishes and beautifully decorated, served with fresh vermicelli.  Photo: @anyen_makeup/Instagram
The island hot pot in the West has a rich sweet broth from bones and meat, rich side dishes, and beautifully decorated, served with fresh vermicelli. Photo: @anyen_makeup/Instagram

I like to go to the kitchen to help cook, the atmosphere of the party is as busy as a family gathering, this place is full of firewood and the smell of food is floating, blending together impressively. In all, I focused on the largest pot, which was burning with fire, cooking the islet broth with pork bones, and the head, wings, and legs of the duck being stewed hot.

My aunt Hai said, a good isle broth must be very clear and fragrant from meat and bones, and homegrown vegetables such as cassava roots (beans) or melons are put in a common stew. When the pot of broth is delicious, turn down the heat, leave the charcoal to keep the broth warm.

The ingredients in the isle pot are carefully selected and fresh before preliminary processing, including liver, pork heart, chicken gizzard (duck), minced meat rolled with cabbage, shrimp, squid. In Hau Giang, there is a specialty of sliced ​​fish (waterfall), so the hot pot also has fish cakes. The part that is bought back is put into the bowl to be evenly brushed to make it tough, just kneaded and seasoned with salt, sugar, seasoning, ground pepper, adding non-yellow garlic to make it fragrant, then it will be molded again to eat the shape. Beautifully cooked cana fruit, steamed and presented in a hot pot with other ingredients. In addition to the meat, the islet hot pot also has vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, straw mushrooms…

Whether the isle hot pot is eye-catching, colorful, or not depends on the hands of the people who trim the decorative flowers made from carrots, cabbage, white radish, green onions, coriander, and red pepper. Finished pruning flowers are soaked in ice-cold water to keep fresh and bloom beautifully.

Isle hot pot is always kept hot for a long time with smoldering coals in the middle of the pot.  Photo: @rio.thefoodlist_/Instagram
The isle hot pot is always kept hot for a long time with the smoldering mangrove charcoal in the middle of the pot. Photo: @rio.thefoodlist_/Instagram

Before being brought to the table to serve diners, the islet hot pot was filled with hot coals that caught fire in the aluminum tube in the middle of the furnace, the coal must be used for a long time and with little dust. After bringing the hot pot to the customer, the waiter will pour the broth into the pot and close the lid to quickly boil the dish. At this time, around the table are arranged more fresh vermicelli and a cup of spicy, salty chili fish sauce to dip the ingredients to enjoy.

Waiting for the hot pot to boil, diners take the bowl to pick up the vermicelli, finish the hot broth, inhale the mild aroma from the cilantro and add the meat to the bowl and then slowly enjoy. Soft vermicelli noodles are mixed in hot, sweet broth, eaten with rich chewy fish cakes, soft fragrant cabbage rolls, crispy chicken gizzards dipped with salty spicy chili fish sauce.

While enjoying the island, whenever the pot of broth on the table is low, a waiter will fill the broth continuously so as not to interrupt the enjoyment of the diners. Charcoal is also added to the pot to keep the heat for delicious dishes that make everyone satisfied. Follow vnexpress

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