Braised Pork Trotters
Braised Pork Trotters are definitely a standout dish for any dining table. With their enticing glossy red color and incredibly tender texture, they are full of collagen that will completely win you over with just one bite. Whether it’s a family gathering or entertaining friends, Braised Pork Trotters are an excellent choice.
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1.What are Braised Pork Trotters?
Braised Pork Trotters are a delicious dish made primarily from pig trotters, expertly prepared using techniques like pan-frying, stir-frying, and simmering. A variety of spices and seasonings, such as rock sugar, star anise, cinnamon, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce, are added for flavor. The dish features a vibrant red color, enticing aroma, and a tender yet chewy texture. Packed with collagen, it’s both tasty and nutritious, making it a favorite on many dining tables.
2.Ingredients and Substitutes
Ingredients:
Pig Trotters: The main ingredient, providing meatiness and a tender texture, rich in collagen after cooking.
Scallions: Adds aromatic freshness and helps eliminate any unpleasant odors.
Ginger: Enhances flavor, removes the gaminess of the trotters, and adds fragrance.
Cinnamon: Provides a unique aroma and elevates the overall taste, while also helping to mask any strong flavors.
Bay Leaves: Adds a distinctive fragrance and enhances the dish's complexity, assisting in odor reduction.
Yellow Soybeans: Boosts umami and thickens the broth.
Star Anise: Contributes a unique aroma and flavor, enhancing depth and helping with odor removal.
Rock Sugar: Used for sweetness, making the trotters more delicious while enhancing the color and texture of the dish.
Substitutes:
Scallions: Can be replaced with onions or leeks.
Cinnamon and Bay Leaves: Can be omitted if unavailable, though this will affect the dish's aroma.
Yellow Soybeans: Can be substituted with black beans or white kidney beans.
Star Anise: Can be replaced with five-spice powder, though the flavor will differ slightly.
3.Guide to Preparing Pig Trotters
Pig trotters are the main ingredient for this dish, and they need to be cut into even pieces before cooking. If you purchase pre-cut trotters from an Asian grocery store, the process is much simpler. However, if you buy whole trotters, here’s how to prepare them:
1. Cleaning: Thoroughly wash the pig trotters and lay them flat on a cutting board.
2. Initial Cut: Use a knife to cut between the two toes on the back of the trotters, following the natural seams.
3. Vertical Cut: Stand the trotters upright and slice down from the top until you reach the large bone at the bottom.
4. Open Up: Grip the two halves of the trotters and gently pull them apart to expose the large bone underneath.
5. Bone Removal: Cut along the seam of the large bone to remove it.
6. Cutting into Pieces: Slice the remaining pieces along the bone seams into two parts, repeating for the other half.
4.Soak the Yellow Soybeans in Advance
Because yellow soybeans are quite hard, it's important to soak them in a bowl of cold water to allow them to expand and soften. Avoid using hot water, as it may cause the nutritional components to leach out.
5.Secrets to Successfully Making Braised Pork Trotters
Selecting fresh pork trotters is crucial; look for ones with a shiny white skin and no off-putting smells. Blanching is an essential step to remove blood and impurities, enhancing the overall texture. When caramelizing sugar, use low heat to slowly melt the rock sugar until it turns a caramel color, giving the trotters a vibrant, enticing appearance. Don’t overlook the seasoning; spices like star anise, cinnamon, and bay leaves add rich flavors. Ensure you simmer long enough for the trotters to absorb the broth's essence and become tender and flavorful. Using a pressure cooker typically takes about 30 minutes, while a regular pot requires around 2 hours.
6.Storage and Reheating
Storage:
If you have leftover Braised Pork Trotters and plan to eat them within 1-2 days, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator to maintain their texture and flavor. For longer storage (more than 3 days), divide the pork trotters into smaller portions, place them in resealable bags or airtight containers, and freeze them. Thaw the frozen trotters before reheating until thoroughly warmed.
Reheating:
Microwave: Place the Braised Pork Trotters in the microwave, selecting an appropriate time and power level, typically heating on high for 2-3 minutes. This method is quick but may slightly toughen the texture.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 150-180°C (300-350°F), then bake the Braised Pork Trotters for 10-15 minutes until heated through. This method can crisp the surface, but be careful not to burn them.
Regardless of the reheating method used, keep these tips in mind:
Ensure the Braised Pork Trotters are fully thawed before reheating.
Adjust the heating time and power based on the size and number of trotters to avoid overheating or underheating.
Allow the Braised Pork Trotters to cool slightly after reheating to prevent burns.
7.More Delicious Pork Recipes to Try
Mei Cai Kou Rou (Steamed Pork with Preserved Vegetables)
Here’s the detailed recipe tutorial for Braised Pork Trotters. Let’s get cooking!
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INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 500g (2 pieces) Pig Trotters
ACCESSORIES
- 5g (1 stalk) Green Onion
- 3g (3 slices) Ginger
- 50g Yellow Soybeans
SEASONINGS
- 2 small pieces Cinnamon
- 2g (3 leaves) Bay Leaves
- 10ml Vegetable Oil
- 4 Star Anise
- 30g Rock Sugar
- 3.5 tablespoons Cooking Wine
- 3 tablespoons Light Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
- 2g Salt
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Prepare all the ingredients:
Clean the pig trotters thoroughly, burn off any hair, and chop them into small pieces. Soak the yellow soybeans in advance until they expand.
STEP 2
After cutting the pig trotters, place them in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil over high heat.
STEP 3
Add 2 tablespoons of cooking wine to remove the odor.
STEP 4
Cook until the trotters change color, then skim off any foam.
STEP 5
Remove the trotters, rinse them thoroughly, and drain excess water.
STEP 6
Heat a pan, add 10ml of vegetable oil, and then add 30g of rock sugar.
STEP 7
Melt on low heat, stirring until it turns a dark red color.
STEP 8
Add the drained pig trotters and stir well.
STEP 9
Add 5g of green onion, 3g of ginger, 4 star anise, 2 small pieces of cinnamon, and 3 bay leaves, sautéing until fragrant.
STEP 10
Add 1.5 tablespoons of cooking wine.
STEP 11
Add 3 tablespoons of light soy sauce.
STEP 12
Add 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce.
STEP 13
Add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce.
STEP 14
Pour in enough water to cover the trotters, about 7 bowls, and bring to a boil. Add the soaked yellow soybeans.
STEP 15
Reduce to low heat and simmer for about 45 minutes. Test tenderness with chopsticks; if they pierce easily, add 2g of salt.
STEP 16
Turn up the heat to reduce the sauce, stirring frequently, and then serve hot
Frequently Asked Questions:
1.Are pig trotters healthy?
Pig trotters are rich in collagen, which benefits the skin by helping it maintain elasticity and shine. They also contain a fair amount of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. However, due to their relatively high fat content, consuming them in excess may lead to excessive calorie intake and potential weight gain. Therefore, enjoying pig trotters in moderation is healthy, but it’s important to balance them with other foods for a well-rounded diet.
2.Are pig trotters the same as pig feet?
Pig trotters typically refer to the lower legs of the pig, including the shank, made up of skin, meat, tendons, and bones. They are divided into front trotters, which have more meat and less bone, and hind trotters, which have more bone and less meat. Whether braised, stewed, or used in soups, pig trotters provide a rich texture and delicious flavor.
3.What if the pig trotters don't become tender?
Method 1: Extend the cooking time. Simmer on low heat to allow the trotters to cook through slowly; this may take 1.5 hours or longer.
Method 2: Use a pressure cooker. The high temperature and pressure can significantly reduce cooking time, making the trotters very tender in about 30 minutes.
Method 3: Add vinegar or hawthorn. Incorporating a small amount of vinegar or a few slices of hawthorn during cooking can help break down the collagen, speeding up tenderness.
4.What if the pig trotters lack flavor?
Method 1: Marinate in advance. Cut the trotters into appropriate sizes and marinate them with salt, light soy sauce, cooking wine, and ginger slices for a while to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Method 2: Score the surface. Make a few shallow cuts on the trotters to help the seasonings seep in, enhancing the flavor.
Method 3: Simmer on low heat. Extend the cooking time so the trotters can absorb the flavors from the broth, allowing the taste to infuse evenly.
Method 4: Season multiple times. Add seasonings in several stages during cooking to build layers of flavor and enhance the overall taste.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Braised Pork Trotters
- Main Ingredients:4
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:558 g
-
Energy (calories)：1682 kcal
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Protein：64.28 g
-
Fat：111.15 g
Why gray?
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Carbohydrates：104.7 g
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Protein: 15%254 kcal
-
Fat: 60%998 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 25%419 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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