Tender, succulent, and bursting with flavor, braised pork trotters are a culinary delight often underestimated. This classic dish, beloved in many cultures, offers a rich, savory experience that's surprisingly easy to achieve at home. Forget tough, chewy meat – with our simple recipe and helpful tips, you'll unlock the secret to perfectly braised pork trotters that melt in your mouth. The collagen-rich trotters transform into a gelatinous masterpiece, creating a deeply satisfying and comforting meal.
This recipe walks you through every step, from preparing the trotters to achieving that perfect balance of tender meat and flavorful broth. We'll explore the best techniques for ensuring tender, fall-off-the-bone results, and provide expert tips for maximizing flavor. Ready to embark on this delicious culinary adventure? Let's dive into the step-by-step guide below!
Tools Needed
- Pot
- Clay pot
- Razor blade
- Small bowl
- Gloves
Ingredients
- Pig's Trotter: 800g
- Ginger: 10g
- Shallots: 3 large
- Chili Peppers: a few
- Green Onions: 3 stalks
- Salt
- Vinegar
- White Wine
- Caramel: 1 tablespoon
- Seasoning Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon
- Fish Sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon + 2 teaspoons
- Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Beer: 200ml
- Water: 200ml
- Cinnamon: small branch
- Star Anise: 2
- Peppercorns: 5g
- Rock Sugar: 2 teaspoons
- Seasoning Seeds: 2 teaspoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Trotters
- Clean the pig's trotters by soaking and washing them with salt and vinegar. Then, boil them for 1-2 minutes with water, crushed ginger, salt, and white wine or vinegar to remove the pork smell. Immediately soak in cold water to keep the ham white and skin firm.
- Scrape off any remaining hair on the skin using a razor blade.
- Marinate the pig's trotters with caramel, seasoning powder, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and oil for 15-20 minutes.
Step 2. Sauté and Braise
- Prepare the shallots (finely chopped and halved), chili peppers, ginger, and green onions.
- Roast cinnamon, star anise, and peppercorns until fragrant.
- Heat oil in a clay pot, saute the finely chopped shallots until fragrant. Add the marinated pig's trotters and stir well.
- Add beer, water, aromatic spices (cinnamon, pepper, star anise, green onions, shallots, ginger), rock sugar, and seasoning seeds to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, checking and turning the meat occasionally.
Step 3. Reduce and Season
- Add soy sauce and sugar, simmer for another 15 minutes until the braising liquid is reduced to about 1/3 of the original amount.
Step 4. Finish and Serve
- Add pepper and green onions. Turn off the heat.
Read more: Vietnamese Braised Pork Ribs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tips
- Soaking the pig's trotters in cold water after boiling helps keep them white and the skin firm and crispy.
- Using a clay pot helps retain heat and make the pork leg more tender and delicious.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. How long does it take to braise pork trotters?
Braising time depends on the size of the trotters and your preferred tenderness. Generally, it takes anywhere from 2-3 hours on the stovetop or 4-6 hours in a slow cooker or oven.
2. Can I use a pressure cooker to braise pork trotters?
Yes! A pressure cooker significantly reduces braising time to about 45-60 minutes. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and adjust cooking time based on your pressure cooker model.
With minimal effort and readily available ingredients, you can now confidently create a restaurant-quality braised pork trotter dish at home. Enjoy the rich, savory flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture of this comforting classic. Impress your friends and family with this surprisingly simple yet incredibly rewarding recipe!