Hot Pots

Hot Pots always have something warm, soothing and comforting about them. This does not mean that because it is typically seen as comfort food that it has to be unhealthy. The pic above is one I made last week for dinner. It was surprisingly quite filling on its own. So instead of going to restaurants that serve hotpots why not stay at home and cook a hearty meal for your family. 

Ingredients (makes 2 Serves, could get 4 smaller serves if you use as a side dish): - 

For the hotpot base

2 - 3 Medium sized Brushed potato's

1 Can of minestrone soup (preferably something that has lots of veggies and borlotti beans) if you want you could use another italian type of soup that might have chicken or beef if you like 

For the Salsa

1 Brown onion finely chopped

1 - 2 Tomato's Roughly chopped

1/2 Green Pepper roughly chopped

1 Tsp Garlic 

1 Tsp Pepper

1/2 Tsp red chilli powder 

Juice of half a lemon 

To Serve

Instead of fresh cream use Sour cream 

Shallot to garnish 

Cheddar cheese (optional) 

Method: - 

Preheat oven at 180 degrees. 

For the hotpot base 

Peel and boil potato's until soft and easy to cut. Cut into rough cubes and divide equally amongst oven proof serving bowls. Place the soup into a pot and warm on stove top. Once warmed pour over potato's. 

For the Salsa

This should really only take ten minutes. Place the onions, tomato's and peppers into a pan with olive oil over a medium heat. Braise until slightly brown and tomato's are soft and mushy. Add garlic, pepper, red chilli powder and lemon juice. Place equal amounts of salsa on top of each serving bowl. You could add the cheese now and place in the oven for 5 to 10 mins at 180 degrees. 

To Serve

Place a heaped tablespoon of sourcream onto each hot pot and garnish with shallots. Serve straight away with some warmly baked garlic bread.