Chinese Fire Pot Fish Balls

This is the Chinese version of Swiss fondue, Korean BBQ, Japanese shabu-shabu, French raclette, etc. It is communal cooking and eating at its best. This recipe will create enough food for 8-12 people, depending on appetite and cultural origin, i.e., we Chinese eat like there is no tomorrow. We would hate to leave this planet hungry! You can add other seafood, meats and vegetables. This is what the Tsai family ate.

2 pounds flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain
2 pounds chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 pound large shrimp, U-15's peeled and de-veined (15 shrimp per pound)
20 fish balls
2 pounds bay scallops
3 packages soaked mung bean noodles
4 Shanghai cabbage, whole leaves
4 baby bok choy, whole leaves
1 napa cabbage large chopped
2 quarts chicken stock
1 pound shiitake mushrooms, de-stemmed
Boiling water

Fish Balls

2 pounds Chilean sea bass or other fatty white fish
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon fish sauce
3 minced Thai bird chilies
1/3 cup sliced scallions

In a food processor, puree fish with egg yolks until smooth. Add pepper, salt, sesame oil, fish sauce and chilies; pulse processor a few times.

Transfer mousse to a large, chilled bowl and fold in the scallions. Using a mixer, lift egg whites to a stiff peak. Gently fold in egg whites with mousse.Cook a very small portion either in boiling water or in a microwave oven to verify seasonings.
Using wet hands, make small balls (1-inch in diameter). Quickly blanch in salted boiling water for only 2 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.

For the table, jars/small bottles of the following to make your own dipping sauce:

Samba Oelek
Peanut butter
Chinese sesame paste
Sesame oil
Oyster sauce
Rice wine vinegar
Shaoxing wine
Thin soy sauce
2 cups chopped scallions
2 cups chopped cilantro
Eggs (optional)

Equipment Needed

Electric wok to keep cooking liquid boiling
Small Chinese strainers
Rice bowls and side plates
Chopsticks Chinese spoons
Spoons for all of the above condiments
Huge appetite