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Preparation
6 hours
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Difficulty
Easy
If you are looking for a dish that is both delicious and can be stored for a long time, and is prepared in a healthy way like steamed dishes, then try this delicious salted pig trotter recipe below. Let’s go to the kitchen with TasteVN now!
Ingredients for Salted Pig Trotters For 1 pig trotter
Pork trotters 1 piece (1.6kg) Rice 100 gr Mac Khen seeds 10 gr Black cardamom 10 gr Ground black cardamom 10 gr Peppercorns 20 gr Pepper seeds 10 gr Cardamom 5 gr (1 fruit) Dổi seeds 3 seeds Ground lemongrass 30 gr Lemongrass 5 stalks Ground garlic 20 gr Ginger powder 1/2 teaspoon Fish sauce 1 tablespoon Lemon 1 fruit MSG/salt a little
How to choose fresh and delicious pork trotters
- The best trotters are the front trotters because they are more active, resulting in thinner, softer, sweeter meat with more tendons. Therefore, when cooked, they will be softer, absorb the seasoning better, and taste better.
- Delicious trotters will have a bright pink color, without any fishy smell. When pressed, they will have good elasticity and will not sink in. The hooves should be intact and not peeling off.
- Avoid buying trotters that are waterlogged and have yellow fluid oozing out when cut. There should be round white spots on the meat like rice grains. This is a sign that the pig has been fed with lean-meat additives and has rice worm disease.
Tools needed
Steamer, plastic container, blender, bowl, pork shaping net, small knife, pot, pan, stove
How to prepare salted pork trotters
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Roast the spices
You place the pan on the stove, turn on the stove to low heat until the pan is hot, then add 10g of mac khén seeds, 10g of star anise flowers, 20g of white pepper, 1 star anise flower, 1 cardamom pod, and 3 seeds of dổi into the pan and roast fragrant for about 30 seconds, then turn off the heat and let it cool.
When the spices have cooled, you put them into a dry grinder and grind until the ingredients in the grinder are completely fine, then turn off the machine and pour them into a dry bowl.
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Prepare the pig trotters
You place the pig trotters on a cutting board with the small bone facing up, then slowly use a knife to cut closely along the bone to separate the meat. You should cut slowly and rotate evenly so that the meat after separation still looks good and does not stick too much to the bone.
After separating the meat from the bone, put the meat into a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of salt, squeeze in half a lemon, then add cold water to soak the meat for about 10 minutes.
Next, you take the pig trotters out of the lemon-salt water, rinse them with clean water, and scrape the skin to remove any hair and dirt still attached to the trotters, then rinse again with clean water and drain in a colander.
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Marinate the pig trotters
You place the pig trotters in a bowl, add 30g of minced lemongrass, 20g of minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, and the roasted spices from step 1.
Next, you use your hands to rub the spices evenly onto the meat until the spices cover all sides, including both the inside and outside of the pig trotters, then marinate the meat for 2 hours.
Tip: You can place it in the refrigerator to avoid bacteria and dust settling on it.
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Shaping and Salting
You place a pot on the stove, add 2 liters of water and 2 tablespoons of salt, stir well over high heat until the salt is completely dissolved, then continue to cook until the brine is boiling, then turn off the heat and let it cool.
After marinating the pork leg, use a spoon to remove all the seasoning stuck to the meat, then turn the meat inside out to expose the skin.
Next, use a net to wrap the pork leg from the smaller end up until the meat is completely enclosed in the net, then pull the two ends of the string tight.
You boil a pot of water, then place the pork leg just above the water surface and use a ladle to pour boiling water over the pork leg until the pork skin tightens evenly.
Place the pork leg into a large bowl, then pour the cooled brine over it until the brine covers the meat, then cover and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for 24 hours.
Tip: If you don’t have a large bowl, you can also use a plastic container or a glass jar for marinating!
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Steaming the pork leg
After 24 hours, take the pork leg out of the brine and put it in a basket to drain.
Take a pot, cut a piece of aluminum foil the size of the bottom of the pot and place it inside. Next, add 100g of rice on top of the foil, 100g of salt, 50g of sugar, 10g of five-spice powder, and 10g of whole pepper, then turn on the heat and stir until the ingredients start to smoke.
Next, place a steamer into the hot pot, lining the bottom with 5 stalks of lemongrass, then add the pork leg and cover the pot. Steam the pork leg on low heat for about 1 hour.
Finally, turn off the heat while keeping the lid on and let the pork leg cool naturally. After that, transfer the pork leg to a plate and place it in front of a fan to dry until the skin is dry, then put it in a plastic container, seal it tightly, and refrigerate for 1 day before serving!
Tip: After the time is up, use a toothpick to poke the meat; if clear juice comes out, the pork leg is cooked.
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Final Product
The trotters are tender, with a pleasantly chewy and crispy texture that is very attractive, the meat absorbs the flavors evenly and has an enticing aroma. The salted trotters can also be enjoyed with pickled onions or pickled vegetables along with fresh herbs, which will be fantastic!
With the detailed steps to make salted trotters above, it will help you and your family have a delicious and unique dish. TasteVN wishes you success!
