A Berkshire hot pot at home comes together faster than most people expect. Start with a pot of simmering stock, add a few things that cook in minutes, and let everyone at the table cook their own. If you are planning 打邊爐 for a cold October night, this guide shows what to put in the pot using FAV Craft Kitchen products, with the cooking directions from each product page.
What do you need for a hot pot at home?
You need five things: a base stock, thin-sliced meat, something hearty like wontons or meatballs, a dipping sauce, and whatever vegetables and noodles your household enjoys. Keep the list short. Two or three items from each group is plenty for most tables.
1. Start with the stock
Berkshire Pork Stock 黑毛豬濃湯 is made from Berkshire pork and pork bone, seasoned with white peppercorn, sea salt and bay leaf, with no MSG. The 750g pack goes from frozen into a saucepan over medium heat and comes to a boil in about 5 minutes. You can dilute it with water, up to a 1:1 ratio, if you prefer a lighter base. Pour it into your hot pot and keep it at a gentle simmer.
2. Add thin-sliced Berkshire pork
Thin slices are the classic hot pot protein because they cook in moments. Both cuts below are 100% purebred Berkshire pork, farm raised in southern Ontario without hormones or antibiotics. Each portion is individually vacuum packed and averages 225g.
- Berkshire Pork Belly Hot Pot Slices 黑毛豬五花火鍋肉片: add straight from frozen to the simmering broth.
- Berkshire Pork Shoulder Hot Pot Slices 黑毛豬梅頭火鍋肉片: thaw in the refrigerator first, then cook briefly until no longer pink.
Want help choosing? Read our comparison, Berkshire Pork Hot Pot Slices in Toronto: Belly or Shoulder?
3. Bring in something hearty
Wontons, meatballs and fish cakes make the pot feel like a full meal.
- Berkshire Pork and Bok Choy Shanghai Wontons 黑毛豬上海菜肉雲吞: a 700g frozen pack with 25 wontons. The product page cooks them in boiling water over medium heat for 8 minutes, or until fully cooked through, so cook them in the hot pot at a steady boil and check that they are cooked through.
- Berkshire Pork Meat Balls with Shiitake Mushroom 手打黑毛豬冬菇肉丸: hand-made without additives, nine pieces per pack. Add them from frozen to simmering broth for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Vietnamese Fish Cake 越式魚餅: made with fish and shrimp and flavoured with fresh dill. Add from frozen to simmering broth for 4 to 5 minutes. Please check the full allergen information if anyone at your table has a seafood allergy.
4. Set out a dipping sauce
A small dish of chilli oil lets each person season to taste. Pure Chilli Oil 純辣椒油 is made with just red chilli flakes and grape seed oil. Signature Blend Chilli Oil 秘制辣椒紅油 combines chilli oil, sichuan pepper oil, soy sauce, aged rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar and salt. Both pages suggest using them as a dipping sauce, and both should be refrigerated after opening.
5. Round out the table
Add the vegetables, tofu and noodles your family already likes. Cook raw meat until it is no longer pink, keep unopened packs frozen until you need them, and keep the cooker and hot broth away from small children.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to thaw the pork belly slices for hot pot?
No. The product page says to add the belly slices directly to simmering broth from frozen.
Do the Shanghai wontons need to be thawed?
No. The product page says to keep them frozen until you are ready to cook, then cook for 8 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
Can I dilute the Berkshire pork stock?
Yes. The product page says you can dilute it with water, up to a 1:1 ratio.
Where does the pork come from?
The slices are 100% purebred Berkshire pork, farm raised in southern Ontario without hormones or antibiotics.
Where can I buy hot pot ingredients near Toronto?
Order online for Ontario/GTA delivery, or pick up at FAV Craft Kitchen, 95 East Beaver Creek Rd., Richmond Hill. Stock changes, so check each product page before you plan your menu.
Ready to plan your hot pot night?
Browse the Hot Pot Collection 火鍋精選, pick your slices, stock and add-ons, and order online for Richmond Hill pickup or Ontario/GTA delivery.