6 Steps Guide to Preparing Steamboat At Home This CNY

This coming 22nd of January, make sure to do some early grocery shopping as Chinese New Year is just right around the corner. If you’re opting to include the traditional Steamboat in your dinner with your family, read this article on how you can prepare this at your own home.

In Chinese communities around the world, the Chinese New Year is an annual 15-day festival that begins with the new moon, which falls sometime between January 21 and February 20, according to Western calendars. Also known as Lunar New Year, the festival lasts about 15 days. After the full moon, the festival will end.

Since the mid-1990s, Chinese people have been given seven consecutive days off from work during the Chinese New Year, a holiday commonly referred to as the Lunar New Year, since the days of celebration coincide with the moon's phases. In this week of relaxation, the Chinese New Year has been called the Spring Festival, a term that is sometimes used as a generic term to refer to the Chinese New Year in general.

The Chinese New Year is when many activities are available, and one of these activities is sharing a feast with your loved ones. The reunion dinner, also known as Tuan Nian or Wei Lu, marks a family gathering on Lunar New Year’s Eve and is regarded as one of the essential parts of the celebration by the Chinese.

Different dishes are served during the reunion, representing something meaningful about each family member's life. One of these dishes that is done is the steamboat. A steamboat is a dish that symbolizes a family reunion because the steamboat pot usually is round in shape and represents "reunion" in Chinese.

A lot of the ingredients in this dish are raw, so most of the cooking is done on the ground, so it does not require constant cooking. It is easy to prepare and can accommodate a large number of people. There is no doubt a lot of work is needed during the preparation; however, once everyone sits down, it is a matter of self-service, and all that is necessary is to top up the stock/soup when needed.

Here are six (6) steps to guide you in preparing the steamboat.

Take advantage of good steamboat equipment.

You must ensure you have the right steamboat apparatuses before you go all out. That means you have a reliable cooker capable of boiling and cooking all the ingredients for your steamboat. Most coffee shops and hawker stalls use portable gas stoves in Singapore for better heat control. However, this requires regular replacement of gas canisters, which is often an inconvenience. To avoid this, I suggest that you purchase an induction cooker instead.

Choose the broth you like best.

There is no need to spend countless hours brewing your favorite broths with stock! In Singapore, there are several pre-packaged soup bases available for you to choose from, ranging from tangy tomatoes to umami mushrooms. Here are a few recommended brands that are good for steep steamboat ingredients for the best soup bases.

Get the freshest steamboat ingredients in Singapore.

When preparing a steamboat in Singapore, some meats must be noticed. For instance, make sure that you dip some thinly-sliced Sanuki Wagyu Beef and Pre-cut Pork Belly into the broth and watch them simmer. Also, add some Fresh Chicken Fillets to enhance the broth's flavor.

If you want to save some time on food preparation, why not get your steamboat meat delivered to you by one of our trusted meat delivery vendors in Singapore instead? They can provide fresh, juicy cuts of meat that keep your steamboat good and tasty all day long.

You must include some seafood ingredients to add some natural sweetness to your steamboat. Red Grouper Meat Slices are among the most popular as they go well with various broths and are a great addition to any steamboat. If you’re feeling generous, consider adding some Jumbo Japanese Scallops or Large Black Tiger Prawns to your steamboat. With so many choices available, there is no shortage of premium seafood to complement your steamboat experience at home.

Abalones

A CNY steamboat at home would be complete with some auspicious abalones. With options such as Yoshihama Abalone and New Moon Abalone Treasure Pot at your fingertips, your steamboat at home will get a savory edge that will garner rave reviews from your guests.

Mushrooms

Those who prefer a noodle-like texture can use Enoki Mushrooms to enhance their steamboat. If you want to add more umami, consider adding some mushrooms to your steamboat ingredients at home. On the other hand, Shiitake Mushrooms can add a fibrous and earthy flavor to your steamboat. If you would like to enhance the steamboat experience at home, White Button Mushrooms and Shimeji Mushrooms are the best choices.

Vegetables

To enjoy a square meal, vegetables are certainly a vital component of the meal. You can get a variety of common vegetables for steamboat parties at home, such as winter melon, carrots, Chinese spinach, Chinese cabbages, and sweet corn, among others, for steamboat parties at home. The adventurous soul can also add taro and pumpkin to the broth for a strong and sweet flavor.

Chilled pre-cooked food

If you are looking for a convenient way to make most soupy Asian dishes and steamboats, you will want to try pre-cooked seafood like Fried Fish Cakes or Fresh Fishballs. If you are looking for a surprise every time, opt for the Fishballs With Roe and Cheese Tofu. These options are popular steamboat ingredients in Singapore that are simply too good to pass up.

Noodles

Don't worry, carb fans; we still remember you. In Singapore, noodles are one of the most common ingredients for steamboats. They come in various shapes and sizes and fit perfectly with steamboat meals. Adding some glass and udon noodles to your steamboat meal will give it a chewy and flavourful taste.

Preparation of dipping sauce condiments

It is enough for the broth to make the ingredients taste good, but you can use dipping sauces, such as the all-time favorites Lao Gan Ma Chilli Sauce or MIZKAN Roasted Sesame Sauce, to add extra zing to the dish. A steamboat experience at home is more authentic if you mix your sauces as you would in a restaurant to make it more accurate.

Cool yourself off with drinks

The best way to end your steamboat meal in Singapore is to add a refreshing drink after you've finished shopping for steamboat ingredients. To soothe the heat of the lousy bro, try an Asahi Super Dry Beer or a Sapporo Premium Draft Beer. Combine them with fruit juice or soda for a refreshing beer cocktail.

Those who do not like alcohol can choose Pokka Jasmine Green Tea or Qoo White Grape to cleanse their palate. This will refresh your appetite and allow you to continue eating your CNY steamboat at home with a renewed appetite.

Safety Precautions

It is essential to take some precautions when you have a steamboat so that no accidents are caused. You will first want to make sure the pot is on a stable surface and that the handles are pointing away from you. Do not add a little stock or water to the pot, so it does not overflow.

It is essential to be careful while cooking as the steam can be scalding. Furthermore, one should wait until the steamboat has cooled down before eating it.

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