Friday, December 28, 2012

The "Unusual" Christmas Eve Dinner.

Because Qing and I decided this Holiday to stay at home and have a quiet Christmas for a change, we needed to come up with... what will our special Dinner be?

Thinking it over didn't actually take that long. Hence we had bought a "Hot-Pot"(*) heating unit a week ago, along with all the necessary items. Such as, the Broth-base (a Mild and a Spicy one) and whatever we were going to put in there to eat.

At first it sounded of course strange (to me at least) not having a Turkey or a Ham for Christmas. That faded fast though, the minute I saw what all Qing was preparing around this Hot Pot Bowl.

Let me see... I had very thin sliced Tri-Tip Steak ready to go, which was not easy... because Qing wanted it so thin that one could almost look through it. Then came... large Shrimp-Pork Balls-Shrimp Balls-Beef Balls-Fish Balls (good thing "Mine" were safe)- Spinach-Mushrooms-Noodles and to dip it all in before stuffing it down... a special Sauce (a la Shanghaiese) just for this occasion.

When we were done, I must say... this was as good as any Turkey/Ham Dinner (if not better) that I ever had.

Here is a Photo (sorry... I forgot to take it before we started) in the middle of this delicious Feast.

(*) Hot-Pot... for those that don't know what that is, I try to explain.

This dish is very common and loved by most People in China and by Westerner's ones they visit China, something they should NOT miss.
It is started by having a large Bowl (which can be "Single" or "Split" for two different Broth's) in the center of your Table. The Broth is heated from below during the whole time your eating and if the Broth ever runs low, will be refilled/topped-off by you or the Restaurant.

Then you Order whatever suits your fancy... Meat/Fish/Vegetables ect... and "You" cook it for yourself til it is to your taste... done.

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