Sichuan Spicy Hot Pot

Sweet Tortellini's Note:

Found and completely ADORED from http://yireservation.com, this recipe is not mine. I have been looking for this recipe for years now and finally, it's here for your enjoyment. Re-posted so that the Food.com community can enjoy it and the nutrition facts would be available :)

• Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

For the stock

• 2 lbs beef or 2 lbs pork or 2 lbs chicken bones, -or-
• chicken or beef bouillon
• 3 slices fresh ginger
• 2 scallions
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 gallon water

For Aged-spicy paste

• 3 tablespoons szechuan spicy bean paste
• 5 dried chilies, soaked until soft
• 4 slices ginger
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup cooking wine (medium sherry)
• 1 tablespoon rock sugar
• 3 star anise
• 1 tablespoon szechuan peppercorn
• 1 black cardamom pod
• 4 green cardamoms
• 2 sand ginger
• 1 piece cinnamon stick
• 3 slices dried licorice
• 1 tablespoon fennel seed

Directions:

1. Make the base stock by combining beef or pork bones or chicken skeleton with water, ginger, scallion, bay leaves. Bring to boil then simmer for 3 hours. Alternatively, season with the bouillon of your choice to skip the 3 hours of boiling bones.
2. To make the aged-spicy paste, chop the Szechuan Spicy Bean Paste, soaked dry chili, ginger, garlic, and black bean. Combine 4 tbsp of oil and all the chopped ingredients, cook in low heat for 10 minutes. Stir frequently. Add the rest of the dry spices and cooking wine and sugar to the paste. Continue to cook in low heat for another 30 minutes then turn off the heat.
3. Before serving the hot pot, combine the aged-spicy paste with base stock and bring to boil. Add additional ginger, dried chili, and salt to taste.
4. Enjoy the spicy goodness!