Red Braised Pig Trotter

Method5 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Ask the butcher to remove hair and cut the trotters into bite-size sections. Inspect for remaining hairs, remove them carefully and drain the prepared pieces.

   Uses 2 pig trotters (remove the hair and cut into bite size chunks (resort to batcher)) · Water for cleaning/preparing trotters

2. 2

   Step 2: Blanch the trotter pieces in boiling water 2–3 minutes, then drain. Put in fresh water to cover with the preliminary-cooking ginger,1 green onion,5 Sichuan peppercorns and cooking wine. Cook until a chopstick easily enters the meat: the source author uses about 30 minutes under pressure, following the cooker directions and safe pressure release, or at least 2 hours gentle simmering in a conventional pot. Lift out the softened trotters and reserve the cooking liquid.

   Soften trotters: pressure about 30 min or simmer at least 2 hUses Prepared pork-trotter sections · Water for blanching and fresh cooking liquid · 1/2 tablespoon ginger slices · 1 green onion · 5 Sichuan peppercorn · 2 tablespoons cooking wine

3. 3

   Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a wok and stir in the crystal sugar (1 tablespoon) until melted and bubbling. Carefully add about 1 cup hot water in portions, standing back from the hot steam/splashes, and stir to dissolve the caramel. Alternatively, skip caramelization and its oil and add the sugar directly to the braising pot.

   Uses 1 tablespoon cooking oil · 1 tablespoon crystal sugar · About 1 cup hot water for caramel coloring

4. 4

   Step 4: In a deep pan, warm the 5 ginger slices, dried chilies, braising scallion whites,1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, bay leaves (2) and star anise (1/2 tablespoon) with a small splash of reserved stock for 1–2 minutes until aromatic. Add the softened trotters and enough reserved cooking stock to almost cover. Add the caramel coloring (or sugar alternative) and both soy sauces. Simmer uncovered to reduce the liquid until it coats the trotters, stirring to prevent scorching. Add the measured salt (1 teaspoon) near the end, adjusting as needed.

   Uses Softened cooked pork trotters · Reserved pork-trotter cooking stock as needed to almost cover · Caramel coloring or uncooked sugar alternative · 2 Dried chili pepper · 5 ginger slices · Braising scallion whites · 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn · 2 bay leaves

5. 5

   Step 5: Sprinkle some green onion and then serve warm!

   Uses Glazed red-braised pork trotters · Reserved braising scallion greens