Spicy Beef Hotpot with a North African Vibe

This beef hotpot features a delicious spicy beef stew that features almonds & dried apricots and is finished with a crispy sliced potato lid.

Moroccan Spiced Hotpot.

Depending on where you are from, the name hotpot or occasionally hot pot means different things. I'm British, so to me it is a pie with a "scalloped" potato topping.

The most well-known British variant is the Lancashire hotpot, which features either lamb or mutton. I also have a chicken hotpot, an easy minced beef hotpot, an Indian-inspired spicy minced lamb hotpot a wonderful sausage hotpot and a vegan mushroom hotpot!

A Chinese hotpot is a group meal; it is a broth that simmers away whilst you dip in an array of raw ingredients, cooking them in the broth.

Japanese hotpots follow a similar idea, although they can be less communal. The most famous is Sukiyaki, and it features very finely sliced beef that you cook in a broth.

This beef hotpot recipe goes trawling for new influences and flavours. It features a rich, sweet and sour stew heavily influenced by North African flavours.

We have dried apricots, almonds, zaatar and sumac offering sweet and sour elements and a bit of chilli to liven everything up.

Everything is then finished off with some finely sliced potatoes and cooked until jammy, and the potatoes are crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What cut of beef should I use?

The recipe calls for stewing beef, which kinda covers everything from chuck to shoulder.

If you want to be really particular and get the very best out of this recipe, try either beef cheeks or beef shin. They add a real depth of flavour to this recipe.

Can this be made in advance?

Yes, you can make the stew well in advance; in fact, as with most stews, it will taste even better on day 2 or 3.

Do not top with the potato until you are ready to flash it through the oven for the last half an hour.

The stew will save in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

How do you cut the potatoes so thin?

I use a mandolin to slice everything from thin potatoes to cutting vegetables into a julienne for stir-frying.

Be sure to invest in something decent, they are pretty scary bits of kit and buying cheap is not wise. I personally use an OXO Good Grips 2.0 if that helps.

Serving Suggestions.

A classic British hotpot tends to be a one-pot dinner, much like my chicken hotpot.

This beef hotpot recipe is no different and is perfectly filling as a meal in and of itself.

But it is a very meaty meal, and I serve this for two.

Although I do often add a simple salad on the side, something like a scaled-down version of this carrot salad is perfect, or just throw on some peppery rocket, arugula, for my American visitors.

However, you could stretch this to a meal for four and add some sides. It is tempting to suggest some simple steamed vegetables.

But I would personally embrace the North African influence and serve this with some bulgur wheat or buttered couscous.

If you wanted to increase the vegetable element, then you could serve this with my roasted vegetable couscous.

Equipment Used

I only mention brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below the recipe.

• Hob/stovetop.
• Oven.
• 28cm or 11" frying pan or skillet with a lid.
• Mixing bowl.
• Kicthen knife.
• Chopping board.
• Mandolin, this is optional, but it really does make slicing potatoes a breeze.
• Stirring and serving spoons.
• A combination of weighing scales, a measuring jug, measuring cups and spoons.