Pork Trotters Recipe

As we all know, Chinese cuisine excels at using various parts of animals to create delicious dishes. Today, I’m excited to share a recipe for pig trotters. This dish features tender meat and rich flavors, making it both economical and perfect for most families to cook at home.

If you’ve never tried pig trotters, this recipe is a must-try! It’s not only simple to make but also incredibly delicious—one bite will have you wanting more. Pig trotters pair perfectly with rice and vegetables. In this recipe, we’ll share all the tips and tricks to ensure you create this dish successfully.

1.What Are Pig Trotters?

Pig trotters refer to the feet and lower legs of pigs, also known as "yuan ti" in China. They are a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine, featuring a variety of cooking methods. Rich in collagen and relatively low in fat, pig trotters are considered a healthy choice. They help prevent dry skin and wrinkles, enhancing skin elasticity and resilience. This makes them particularly significant for delaying aging and promoting healthy growth and development in children.

2.Ingredients

For this pig trotters recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:

Pig trotters

Ginger

Rock sugar

Eggs

Sweet vinegar

Where to Find Ingredients:

Pig Trotters: Usually available at most grocery stores, but it's best to purchase them from an Asian supermarket.

Sweet Vinegar:

A common condiment in Chinese cooking, typically found in Asian grocery stores. You can substitute it with syrup vinegar if necessary.

Rock Sugar:

If unavailable, you can use granulated white sugar as a replacement.

3.How to Prepare Pig Trotters

When you buy pig trotters, you can ask the vendor to help with the preparation, requesting that they cut them into suitable sizes. If you purchase whole, unprocessed pig trotters, follow these steps:

Remove Hair: Use fire or tweezers to pluck any stray hairs from the surface of the trotters.

Wash: Place the trotters in clean water and use a brush or scrub pad to thoroughly clean the surface, removing dirt and impurities.

Soak: Soak the cleaned trotters in saltwater for about 30 minutes to eliminate blood and any unpleasant odors.

Cut: Cut the trotters into appropriate-sized pieces as needed.

Blanch: In a pot, add cold water along with the trotters, ginger slices, scallion segments, and cooking wine. Bring to a boil, skim off the foam, and boil for about 5 minutes. Then, remove the trotters and rinse them under cold water.

4.How Long to Simmer Pig Trotters

The cooking time for pig trotters will vary based on factors like the cooking method, size, and quantity of the trotters. For this recipe, you will need to simmer the trotters for 1 hour.

In general, if using a standard pot, the simmering time is about 1.5 to 3 hours. If using a pressure cooker, the time is significantly reduced, typically around 20 to 30 minutes once it reaches pressure.

Tip:

You can check if the trotters are done by observing their texture or using chopsticks to poke them. When the trotters become tender and easily pierced with chopsticks without much resistance, they are cooked through. Additionally, you can adjust the simmering time based on your preference for texture; if you like them softer and more tender, feel free to extend the cooking time slightly.

5.What to Pair with Pig Trotters

We recommend enjoying pig trotters with rice, as it's the perfect combination. However, you can also opt for noodles. If you're interested in adding pig trotters to your noodles, consider trying this simple wonton noodle recipe.

Given the rich flavor of pig trotters, I suggest pairing them with lighter side dishes, such as bok choy, lettuce recipes (not salad), or cucumber salad. These will balance the flavors while adding nutritional value.

6.How to Store Pig Trotters

Refrigeration: If you plan to eat the pig trotters within a short time, store them in a sealed food container or freezer bag in the refrigerator. Make sure the trotters are completely cooled before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth due to high temperatures. They can be stored in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.

Freezing: For long-term storage of braised pig trotters, divide them into appropriate portions and place them in sealed freezer bags or containers. This method allows them to be stored for several weeks.

Reheating: When reheating braised pig trotters, you can steam, boil, or bake them, ensuring they are heated thoroughly to a safe eating temperature. Avoid consuming undercooked or long-stored ingredients.

7.Nutritional Value of Pig Trotters

Pig trotters are highly nutritious, and moderate consumption offers numerous health benefits:

Protein: Rich in protein, pig trotters are important for building and repairing tissues, helping to maintain healthy muscles, skin, and hair.

Collagen: The abundant collagen in pig trotters helps keep skin elastic and youthful, while also promoting joint health and maintaining strong bones.

Minerals: Pig trotters are rich in minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc, which support bone health, enhance blood circulation, and boost immune function.

Chondroitin: The chondroitin found in pig trotters positively impacts joint health, helping to reduce arthritis and alleviate joint pain.

Low Carbohydrates: With a low carbohydrate content, pig trotters are a suitable choice for those pursuing a low-carb diet.

8.More Delicious Recipe Recommendations

Lettuce Recipes

Pork Hamburger Meatloaf

Chinese Pan-Fried Fish

Chinese Sausage Recipe

Here’s the detailed tutorial for the pig trotters recipe. Let’s get cooking!

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