Just like everything else in China, steam boat cooking is considered to be an art in itself. It requires the perfect combination of textures, tastes and of course, a certain technique in cooking to make the meal come out as perfect as it should. For those of you who are planning to have some friends over for an authentic home made steam boat experience then here are some things that you need to learn first before you start cooking!

• The major complain about hot pot meals are that most of the meats take quite some time to cook. The secret here is to slice your meat as thinly as you can. This way, it only requires a smaller amount of heat and a shorter amount of time for it to be thoroughly cooked. You also need to make sure that the meats are not over cooked because to much time in that boiling broth can cause it to be too gummy and hard.
• The key to tasty and flavorful steam boats are always fresh ingredients. So it is best that you buy your meat and vegetables within the day if you plan to have your guests over for dinner.
• How to tell if the meat is cooked? When all the pinkish color has disappeared, then you meat should be good for eating, Remember that thinly sliced meat require very short time for cooking; usually around 20 to 30 second in the hot broth.  Seafood on the other hand, takes longer time to cook. So remember to check them regularly in the pot to avoid over cooking as well.
• Play it on the safe side and always use different chopstick to handle the raw and cooked meat. This will avoid contamination from bacteria that could still be present in your raw meat. But not to worry, the boiling broth will be more than enough to kill any harmful bacteria before eating.

So there you have it! Simple tips for easier and more enjoyable steam boat meals. Always remember to start cooking early where you guests are not that hungry yet. This way, the waiting can be more pleasant and the meal more enjoyable singapore restaurants reviews!