「Braised Pork Trotters」

Ingredients and amounts

• 2-3 pork trotters (cut into pieces)
• 30ml cooking oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 slices ginger
• 0.5 scallion
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 7-8 rock sugar pieces
• 30ml cooking wine
• 20ml light soy sauce
• 20ml dark soy sauce
• 8g salt
• 4 star anise

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Step 1

   Place the chopped pork trotters in a pot of cold water with 20ml cooking wine, scallion, and ginger. Boil for 15 minutes to remove blood and odor.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Heat 30ml oil in a pan over low heat, add 7-8 rock sugar pieces, and cook until caramelized, crushing the sugar with a spatula, about 2 minutes.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Add the blanched pork trotters to the caramelized sugar and stir-fry over low heat until all sides are lightly browned.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Add 2 bay leaves, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 star anise, 20ml light soy sauce, 20ml dark soy sauce, 10ml cooking wine, 3 slices ginger, and 8g salt. Turn to medium heat and stir-fry for 1 minute.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Add boiling or cold water until the trotters are submerged. Cover the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then turn off the heat.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Transfer all ingredients to a pressure cooker and cook for 15 minutes. (If no pressure cooker, simmer on low heat after boiling.)

7. 7

   Step 7

   After 15 minutes, return the contents to a wok and reduce the sauce over high heat. Taste and add 2-3g salt if needed.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Reduce the sauce for about 30 seconds, depending on the liquid amount. Leaving extra sauce is fine as it pairs well with rice.