Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce is a classic dish in the Northeast region of China. It is highly regarded by food enthusiasts for its delicious taste and nutritional value. The uniqueness of this dish lies in its cooking method and ingredients selection. Firstly, fresh pork knuckles are chosen and soaked in a special marinade. After marinating and stewing for a period of time, the knuckles fully absorb the flavors and nutrients from the sauce. Finally, the cooked knuckles are thinly sliced and served with various seasonings and side dishes, presenting a delightful combination of color, aroma, and taste.Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce has a tender and juicy texture, with delicate meat. It tastes especially delicious when paired with rice or noodles. Not only is it a gourmet dish, but it also boasts abundant nutritional value. Pork knuckles contain rich nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, providing energy and nutrition to the body. Moderate consumption of this dish can bring many benefits.Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce is a traditional delicacy with unique taste and abundant nutrition. With a long history, it continues to be loved by food enthusiasts to this day. If you visit the Northeast region or embark on a culinary journey, make sure not to miss this mouthwatering delicacy.
Ingredients for Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce:
| Pork knuckle | 1500g |
| Green onion | 10g |
| Ginger | 8g |
| Dark soy sauce | 8g |
| Essence of chicken | 3g |
| Sugar | 6g |
| Star anise | 4g |
| Cinnamon bark | 2g |
| Fragrant leaves | 1g |
| Tangerine peel | 2g |
| Sichuan Pepper | 1g |
| Amomum tsao-ko | 1g |
| Nutmeg | 1g |
| Clove | 2g |
| Dried chilli | 5g |
| Soybean paste | 8g |
Step:
1.Before preparing Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce, you need to prepare a fresh pork knuckle. The pork knuckle should be fresh and free from any damage or spoilage. During the preparation process, start by thoroughly washing the pork knuckle to ensure that any grease or dirt on the surface is completely removed. To enhance the texture and flavor of the pork knuckle, use a knife to carefully scrape the surface of the skin, removing any remaining hair stubble. This will prevent the hair from affecting the texture during the cooking process and ensure that the pork knuckle is smooth and delicious after cooking.
2.Before stewing the pork knuckle, it is necessary to blanch it. This step is done to remove any blood and impurities from the pork knuckle, ensuring that it does not have a gamey smell. First, bring a pot of water to a boil, then place the pork knuckle into the pot and blanch it in cool water. This helps to extract any blood and impurities from the pork knuckle. During the blanching process, occasionally turn the pork knuckle to ensure even heating. The blanching time should be sufficient, usually taking a few minutes. This ensures that the blood is thoroughly removed from the pork knuckle. After blanching, remove the pork knuckle from the water and drain off any excess moisture for further use.
3.In the pot, add a small amount of cooking oil. Then, thinly slice the green onion and ginger, and wash the dried peppers before adding them to the pot. Stir-fry them over medium heat until evenly mixed. This step brings out the aroma of the ingredients and lays a good foundation for subsequent cooking. After frying until fragrant, add half a tablespoon of soybean paste to the pot and continue stirring to mix well. The addition of soybean paste adds a rich savory flavor to the dish, enhancing the taste of the Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce.Next, add enough water to the pot to fully dilute the ingredients and allow the knuckles to be flavored. Then, start seasoning by adding a little dark soy sauce to adjust the color and saltiness of the dish. Add enough salt and chicken bouillon, followed by a small amount of sugar to enhance the sweetness and umami flavor. Put in spices such as star anise, cinnamon bark, fragrant leaves, and tangerine peel to further enhance the aroma and taste of the dish. Additionally, include seasonings like Sichuan peppercorns, Amomum tsao-ko, nutmeg, and cloves to add unique flavors and textures. Finally, place the pork knuckles into the pot, bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and keep it simmering. Cover the pot and let it stew for two hours. This allows the pork knuckle to fully absorb the flavors from the seasoning and the delicious sauce. During the stewing process, pay attention to the heat and time to avoid overcooking or undercooking. Also, monitor the water level in the pot to prevent it from drying out or becoming too watery. When stewed at the right temperature and time, the Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce will have a red, shiny appearance and a tender and juicy texture.
4.After two hours, you can open the pot lid and check the cooking progress of the pork knuckle. If the meat has become tender and can be easily pierced with chopsticks, it means it is cooked. At this stage, cover the pot again and let the knuckle absorb the flavors of the seasoning and sauce for a while. When the pork knuckle is very hot but not too hot to handle, carefully remove it from the pot and transfer it to a plate. Handle it with care to avoid damaging the shape and texture of the knuckle. Next, use a knife to remove the bones. This requires carefulness and patience to avoid compromising the integrity and texture of the knuckle. You can insert the knife from the side of the knuckle and gradually separate the bones from the meat. Finally, place the boneless knuckle onto a plate. In summary, it is important to control the cooking time and temperature to prevent overcooking or undercooking. Also, pay attention to your technique to ensure the texture of the knuckle remains intact.
5.After completing the above steps, prepare some plastic wrap to tightly roll up the boneless knuckle. While rolling, make sure the skin is on the outside, as this will make the knuckle more compact and visually appealing. Once the knuckle is rolled, use toothpicks to create small holes all around the plastic wrap to allow better airflow and help the knuckle hold its shape. Then, place the wrapped knuckle on a plate and cover it with another plate to prevent dust and impurities from getting in. Put a weight on top of the plate to further shape and compress the knuckle. The duration of resting time depends on the temperature at home; the lower the temperature, the faster it will set. It is generally recommended to let it rest for at least 12 hours to achieve stability and visual appeal. During the resting process, observe the state of the knuckle to avoid it becoming too dry or moist. If necessary, adjust the resting time and weight promptly. In conclusion, rolling the pork knuckle requires carefulness, patience, and attention to technique and timing. Following these steps will make the knuckle more visually appealing and delicious.
6.After 12 hours, remove the weight placed on top of the plate and carefully take the knuckle out of the plate. By now, the knuckle has undergone a long period of rest and compression, making it more compact and visually pleasing. Next, peel off the plastic wrap and vertically cut the knuckle in half to examine the result. The cut knuckle should appear red, shiny, with plump and well-defined meat texture. Additionally, the shape of the knuckle should remain intact, presenting an aesthetically pleasing curve.
7.If you are satisfied with the result after cutting, you can slice the knuckle and arrange it on a plate. When plating, pay attention to aesthetics and neatness. You can arrange the knuckle slices in a circle, layer by layer, to create an appealing presentation. Once plated, you can prepare some sauce or seasoning. For those who enjoy spicy flavors, you can add some chili oil or chili sauce. If you prefer a sweet and sour taste, you can add some sweet and sour sauce or tomato sauce, among others. Finally, serve the prepared knuckle dish to your family or friends and enjoy this delicious delicacy together.Each step of making Northeast-style braised pork knuckle requires carefulness and patience. From ingredient selection, blanching, cooking, rolling, to plating, every step needs to be mastered with skill and attention to detail. Only then can you create truly delicious Northeast-style braised pork knuckle and treat your taste buds to an unparalleled feast.
Tips:
1.It is important to choose fresh pork knuckle for better texture and higher nutritional value.
2.During the stewing process, it is crucial to control the heat. The heat should not be too high or too low to prevent the knuckle from becoming too tender or undercooked.
Pork knuckle with Northeast-style sauce is a traditional and unique dish with a long history. This dish features pork knuckle as the main ingredient, meticulously prepared through multiple steps. It has a shiny and reddish appearance, tender and juicy meat, and a rich and diverse flavor profile. Whether paired with rice, noodles, or vegetables, it offers a feast for your taste buds. Northeast-style braised pork knuckle also holds high nutritional value, containing abundant proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, providing ample energy and nutrition for the body. Not only is this dish delicious, but it also offers significant nutritional benefits, making it a must-try culinary delight.