The glory of the pig’s foot! Pork trotter is perhaps one of the most underrated parts of the pig. Also known as pork knuckles, the thick, big chunks have a nice balance of fleshy meat, together with a nice coating of gelatinous fats, and can be prepared in a myriad of different methods.
Across the world, there are many famous preparation methods of pork trotters. As a cut itself, it can be cooked and served in different ways, and present fabulous flavours to the diners. And because it’s such a wonderful cut that is so flexible, chefs love to experiment with the meat to bring exciting tastes to their guests and gastronomic audiences.
What are pork trotters and what are their benefits?
Pork trotters, or pig’s trotters, refer to the pig’s feet (hooves) and calves. In China, it is called Yuan Shou or Ti Pang, which sounds like high court positions, lending them additional meaning of good luck and well wishes.
In the Chinese world, trotters are one of the most frequently eaten parts of the pig. The trotters are rich in collagen, and surprisingly have a lower fat content than the other parts of the pig. The high concentration of collagen is said to be able to prevent the emergence of dry skin and wrinkles, and is also able to enhance the skin’s elasticity and ease any skin toughness. Collectively, it has special significance in delaying ageing, and can also promote healthy growth and development in children.
Interestingly, it is also said that regular controlled consumption is able to aid in fighting coronary heart diseases.
Here, we take a look at some of the most popular methods of preparation, and hopefully tempt you to have it for a meal this week.
Braised pork trotters
Every family and every eatery would have their own variation of recipes to prepare braised pork trotters. The most basic ingredient in most braising liquids would be ginger, crystal sugar, cooking wine, light soy sauce and dark soy sauce.
A well-braised pork trotter should be evenly coloured dark brown all over, and the taste a balance of savoury-sweetness. Biting into it, the layer of fats enveloping the entire trotter should be nicely firm and bouncy, and yet easy to bite into. The fats should melt-in-your-mouth, without leaving an oily aftertaste. The chunks of meat within should have soaked up the braising liquid and are delicious in every bite.
Braised pork trotters are great as a dish on its own, but also fabulous when paired with something lighter tasting. At Feng Xiang, you can enjoy the comfort food with a satisfying Klang fried porridge. That’s a match made in culinary heavens.
Spicy Jokbal
Next, we move on to Korea to find a cousin to the popular braised pork trotters.
Jokbal is essentially the Korean style of braising pork trotters, with the added option to add some spicy kick to it. It is a rich, savoury dish made by braising pig’s trotters in seasonings over long hours, until the meat fully absorbs the flavours and has turned soft, shiny, and gorgeously glazed, with the meat delicately falling off the bone.
Stewed Szechuan Ginger Pork Knuckles
Here’s another Asian pork knuckle dish that’s spicy and zesty. China’s Szechuan province is renowned for the heat in their food, and it’s the same when it comes to their preparation of pork trotters or pork knuckles.
The pig’s legs are lovingly stewed for long hours, in a slightly spicy broth, filled with plenty of slices of ginger. The result is a dish that is yummy, and also has the benefit of helping the body get rid of ‘cold’, aiding in reducing inflammation and soothing sore throats. It’s a perfect dish for the wintry seasons.
German crispy pork knuckles
Now, we’ve seen different variations of braising pork trotters above. And it’s time to go west.
In Germany, pork knuckles are best marinated then flash fried, to get crispy and delicious German pork knuckles.
There is an origin tale to the recipe of German crispy pork knuckles, attributed to a table in Sainte-Menehould, that’s surprisingly from France. The cook then, was to have forgotten about leaving her pig’s feet on a fire. Tasting them out of the pot, she was surprised to find them not only cooked to perfection, but the bones so melting that you can taste them with the marrow.
Later, in Germany, the pork knuckles were prepared by deep frying them in a large pot of oil until the exterior is golden brown and lovingly crispy, with some bits nicely charred. The result is a pig’s leg that has an incredulous bite, and the fat is only left with a nice layer of gelatine (or collagen, as a better way of saying).
Vinegar pork trotters
Vinegar pork trotters is a popular dish in confinement meals, catered to post-partum mums. But it can also be enjoyed by all diners, young and old. Pork trotters are believed to aid mothers in lactation, and with the complementary warming ingredients like ginger, are also said to be warming, restorative, and a good (and delicious) way to help the body rebuild its energy.
The name ‘vinegar pork trotter’ might deter diners who are not a fan of sour and astringent tastes. But the dish is actually hardly vinegarish. (At least for the ones served at Feng Xiang.) Through the slow stewing process, the sourness and tanginess are largely reduced, leaving just a gentle whiff of the vinegar’s scent. The braising liquid is nicely sweet and savoury as well, covering the chunks of pork trotters that are gelatinous on the outside, and oh-so-tender on the inside.
Enjoy some delicious pork trotter dishes at Feng Xiang
Are you now tempted to have some yummy pork trotters? Be delighted by some great pork trotter dishes, conveniently made available to you at a Feng Xiang outlet near you. Yes, no need to spend long hours preparing them yourself!
Feng Xiang offers a variety of Malaysian-style street food at affordable prices, all prepared according to special in-house recipes. Get ready for a delightful porky feast! Try our braised pork trotters or vinegar pork trotters, alongside our signature herbal bak kut teh and dry bak kut teh. Of course, you can also have some comforting Klang fried porridge with your choice of proteins.
Make a trip down to a Feng Xiang near you today for your comfort food fix! Find us at the following locations:
- Fernvale Hawker Centre & CC (nearest MRT station: Sengkang)
- Food Republic @ BreadTalk iHQ (nearest MRT station: Tai Seng)
- Food Republic @ VivoCity (nearest MRT station: HarbourFront)
- Food Republic @ Parkway Parade (nearest MRT station: Dakota)
- Kopitiam @ AMK Hub (nearest MRT station: Ang Mo Kio)
- Kopitiam Food Hall @ JEM (nearest MRT station: Jurong East)
- Kopitiam @ Northpoint City (nearest MRT station: Yishun)
- Lau Pa Sat (nearest MRT station: Downtown)
- Senja Hawker Centre (nearest MRT station: Bukit Panjang)