Fermented Bean Curd Braised Pig's Trotters (南乳燜猪手)
Get ready for a gastronomic adventure that will take your taste buds straight to the heart of Chinese cuisine. The dish in the spotlight is 南乳燜猪手, or Fermented Bean Curd Braised Pig's Trotters. This delicacy is an incredible blend of flavors and textures, featuring the richness of pig's trotters cooked to perfection with the deep, umami notes of fermented bean curd. It's a dish that's sure to impress at any gathering.
Ingredients
- 4 pig's trotters cleaned and cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons fermented red bean curd
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 thumb-sized ginger sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2-3 cups water enough to cover the pig's trotters
- Salt to taste
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Preparation:
- Clean the pig's trotters thoroughly and cut them into smaller pieces, if not already done.
- Prepare the fermented red bean curd, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
Blanch the Pig's Trotters:
- In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the pig's trotters for about 5 minutes to remove impurities.
- Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
Cook the Aromatics:
- Heat a large pot or wok over medium heat.
- Add the vegetable oil, followed by the garlic, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon stick.
- Stir-fry until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the Pig's Trotters:
- Add the blanched pig's trotters to the pot.
- Add the fermented red bean curd, breaking it up and mixing it well with the trotters.
Add the Sauce and Water:
- Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar in a small bowl.
- Pour the sauce mixture and enough water to cover the trotters into the pot.
Braise:
- Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the pig's trotters are tender. Check occasionally to make sure there is enough liquid, adding more water if needed.
Season and Serve:
- Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- Once the trotters are tender, remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish.
