Fragrant Five-Spice Mini Pig Trotters
How to Make Delicious Five-Spice Mini Pig Trotters at Home
A delightful appetizer that will tantalize your taste buds! This dish features the deep aroma of five-spice powder combined with the chewy texture of mini pig trotters. It’s perfect for special occasions, home parties, or as a simple snack with drinks. We’ll guide you through each step to make it easy for anyone to follow.
Main Ingredients- 1 set Mini Pig Trotters (approx. 500g)
- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 50g Cilantro (Coriander leaves)
- 30g Ginger (sliced)
- 20g Garlic (whole cloves or sliced)
- 20g Dried Chili Peppers (seeds removed)
Five-Spice Marinade- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Rice Wine (or Cooking Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt
- 1 tsp MSG (optional)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 20g Whole Peppercorns
- 2 Star Anise pods
- 50g Five-Spice Powder
- 5g Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp “Shuang Lao Dou” Sauce (or Soy Sauce)
- 1 tsp Instant Coffee Granules
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Rice Wine (or Cooking Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt
- 1 tsp MSG (optional)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 20g Whole Peppercorns
- 2 Star Anise pods
- 50g Five-Spice Powder
- 5g Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp “Shuang Lao Dou” Sauce (or Soy Sauce)
- 1 tsp Instant Coffee Granules
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Soak the mini pig trotters in cold running water for at least 4 hours to remove blood. Change the water periodically for better results. Rinse the trotters thoroughly under running water once the blood is removed.
Step 2
In a pot, add enough water to cover the trotters and 1 Tbsp of rice wine. Bring to a boil, add the trotters, and blanch for about 3 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse under cold water. This step helps to eliminate any gamey smell.
Step 3
Prepare the whole peppercorns for the aromatic spices.
Step 4
Prepare the star anise. The unique aroma of star anise will enhance the overall flavor profile.
Step 5
You can use store-bought five-spice powder or make your own. Add the prepared ginger, garlic, dried chili peppers, star anise, whole peppercorns, and five-spice powder to the pot. The amount of spices can be adjusted to your preference.
Step 6
Place the blanched mini pig trotters in the pot. Add all the marinade ingredients: soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, coarse salt, MSG (optional), sugar, ‘Shuang Lao Dou’ sauce, and instant coffee granules. Mix well. Add just enough water to almost cover the trotters.
Step 7
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes until the trotters are tender. Once they are partially cooked, add the cilantro and continue to simmer for another 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. The longer cilantro cooks, the milder its flavor becomes.
Step 8
Simmer gently until the sauce has reduced to a thick glaze. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it steam for about 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful trotters.
Step 9
Arrange the beautifully glazed five-spice mini pig trotters on a serving plate. They are delicious served warm immediately, or can be enjoyed chilled.
