Reading guide: When eating hot pot, why is there a piece of lettuce on the plate? Can you eat it? Shopkeeper: Don't understand
During the cold winter months or when the lively friends gather, hot pot has become one of the preferred delicacies. Whether it's spicy red soup, clear soup or mushroom soup, hot pot always attracts many diners with its unique charm.
However, when enjoying the deliciousness of hot pot, have you ever noticed a detail: almost all hot pot restaurants will put a slice of lettuce on the bottom of the plate of ingredients when serving? What is the secret behind this seemingly inconspicuous practice? Can you eat these lettuces? What does the shopkeeper mean when he says "those who know are insiders"? Let's find out.
The adsorption effect of lettuce: a little assistant for healthy eating
There is usually a layer of grease and various spices at the bottom of the hot pot, which not only adds to the flavor of the hot pot, but also makes it easy for the ingredients to absorb too much oil during the cooking process. Lettuce slices have good adsorption, which can effectively absorb excess oil and seasonings, so that the ingredients can reduce contact with excessive oil, thereby reducing calorie intake. This is undoubtedly good news for those who are looking for a healthy diet.
In addition, lettuce may contain some less healthy components, such as cholesterol and trans fatty acids. Through the adsorption effect of lettuce, it helps to reduce the intake of these unhealthy substances and further promote a healthy diet.
A visual feast: improve the quality of your dishes
In a restaurant, the presentation of food is also crucial. A skillfully presented dish not only makes it look more enticing, but also effectively captures the attention of customers. Lettuce plays an important role here. It not only enhances the overall visual grade of the hot pot, but also visually increases the amount of meat on the plate. Lettuce is relatively large in size, and the fluffy texture and moisture content fill the space, making the overall look more hearty. This kind of plating not only satisfies the visual enjoyment of diners, but also improves the quality of the hot pot.
Preserve the taste of the ingredients: buffer and keep them fresh
Hot pot takes a long time to cook, and the ingredients are easy to overcook or too soft, losing their original taste. Putting lettuce slices on the mat can play a certain cushioning role to avoid overheating the ingredients and maintain the tender taste of the ingredients. In this way, every bite of the ingredients can remain authentic, allowing diners to enjoy the delicious taste of the hot pot to the fullest.
Absorb blood and water: Improve the aesthetics and safety of ingredients
Meat often contains a certain amount of blood water, and once this blood water flows out, it not only affects the overall aesthetics of the hot pot, but also may reduce the food safety of the ingredients. The cellular structure of lettuce can absorb and retain this blood and water, reducing its exposure in hot pot, thus improving the overall aesthetics and food safety of the ingredients.
Reduced plate use: cost savings and environmental protection
In hot pot restaurants, dishes are usually served as whole plates, rather than being served in bowls or other utensils. As a result, the hot pot restaurant has to spend more money on plates. Putting lettuce slices on the mat can reduce the number of plates used to a certain extent and save costs. At the same time, this is also in line with the environmental protection concept of the modern catering industry, reducing the use of disposable tableware and being environmentally friendly.
Can you eat lettuce on a mat plate?
Regarding the question of whether lettuce on a mat plate can be eaten or not, it depends on several factors. First of all, these lettuces have been carefully cleaned by the kitchen staff before being served, which has a certain degree of hygiene and safety. However, due to their direct contact with raw meat, it is inevitable that some bacteria will be attached. Therefore, these lettuces cannot be eaten raw, but must be boiled in a pot at high temperatures before they can be eaten.
In addition, customers need to pay attention to whether these leaves have been reused. In order to save costs, some hot pot restaurants may reuse the lettuce leaves left on the plate. For those who don't have a good stomach or don't mind this, it is recommended to order a fresh lettuce separately.
The mystery of the shopkeeper's "insider".
The shopkeeper's statement that "those who understand are insiders" is actually emphasizing the wisdom and experience behind these seemingly simple details. In the hot pot industry, every detail is related to the dining experience and satisfaction of customers. The lettuce slices on the mat not only improve the quality and taste of the hot pot, but also save costs and reduce the use of tableware, which is in line with the environmental protection concept of the modern catering industry. These practices are truly understood and valued only by those in the know.
Inheritance and innovation of hot pot culture
As one of the traditional Chinese cuisines, hot pot has a long history and profound cultural heritage. In the process of inheritance, hot pot is constantly innovating and evolving to adapt to the needs and tastes of modern consumers. The practice of putting lettuce slices on the mat is an innovation in the process of inheriting the hot pot culture. It not only retains the traditional flavor of hot pot, but also incorporates modern people's pursuit of healthy eating and environmental protection concepts.
Precautions: Eat hot pot healthily
While enjoying the delicious taste of hot pot, there are also some health issues that we need to be aware of. First of all, the fire at the bottom of the hot pot should be hot, and boiling at high temperature can kill the bacteria and parasites in the ingredients, ensuring the safety and hygiene of the hot pot ingredients. Secondly, raw and cooked foods should be stored separately to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Finally, avoid alternating hot and cold food intake to avoid burdening the digestive system.
epilogue
Putting slices of lettuce on the mat is a trick in hot pot, but it has important health benefits. By absorbing oil, adding a refreshing taste, keeping ingredients fresh and tender, and providing rich nutritional value, lettuce adds an even more wonderful and healthy element to our hot pot experience. At the same time, this practice also reflects the innovation and wisdom of hot pot culture in the process of inheritance. In the future hot pot industry, we can expect more such innovative practices to revitalize the traditional cuisine of hot pot.