Red-Braised Pork Trotters
Braised pork trotters are a classic home-style dish, but they can be difficult to make well and may taste greasy. Since most braised dishes use similar methods, this recipe is approachable. Here’s an easy pressure-cooker version that reduces cooking time while keeping the trotters glossy red, tender, flavorful, and rich without tasting greasy. Save the recipe and try it at home; detailed notes on ingredients and technique follow.
Ingredients
pork trotters
1000 g
ginger
20 g
scallions
20 g
star anise
1
bay leaves
2 slices
cassia bark
1 small piece
dried chilies
6
fermented rice chili paste
4
rock sugar
a pinch
salt
to taste
light soy sauce
2 tbsp
oyster sauce
1 tbsp
strong white liquor
1 tbsp
cooking wine
1 tbsp
Instructions
1
Step 1
First, rinse the pork trotters under running water and chop them into pieces. This can be left to the seller; front trotters are recommended for a better texture. Put enough cold water in a pot, add 1 tbsp cooking wine, and add the pork trotters. The water should cover them, so bring it to a boil over high heat.
2
Step 2
After the water boils, continue cooking for 3 minutes. Skim off the foam, remove the pork trotters, rinse them once more under cold water, and drain well. Rinsing them with cold water helps them cool quickly and gives them a pleasantly springy texture.
3
Step 3
Prepare the aromatics. Trim the roots from the scallions, wash them, and cut the white parts into small sections; the green parts are not needed. Peel the ginger, rinse it, and slice it. Set both aside.
4
Step 4
To make the caramel, place the rock sugar in a cold pot with cold oil and heat it over low heat until the sugar melts.
5
Step 5
Once the caramel reaches an amber color, immediately add the pork trotters and stir-fry them quickly to coat them evenly.
6
Step 6
Add the ginger slices, scallion whites, dried chilies, star anise, bay leaves, and cassia bark. Stir-fry briefly until the aromatics become fragrant.
7
Step 7
Then add a small amount of salt, 1 tbsp strong white liquor, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, and 1 tbsp oyster sauce. Stir until evenly combined, then transfer everything to a Red Double Happiness pressure cooker.
8
Step 8
Add enough water to cover the ingredients, but it does not need to fully cover the pork trotters because they will be cooked in a pressure cooker. This method shortens the cooking time while making the trotters tender and flavorful.
9
Step 9
Close the pressure cooker and heat it over high heat until it comes up to pressure.
10
Step 10
Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes. Fully release the pressure before opening the lid, then reduce the sauce over high heat and transfer the pork trotters to a bowl.
11
Step 11
Sprinkle a little chopped scallion green over the top to make the dish look more appetizing.
12
Step 12
If you would like to try it, start cooking now and enjoy!
