Braised elbow is a traditional Chinese delicacy that is loved for its tender meat and mellow taste. To make a rotten and delicious stewed elbow, there are some key cooking techniques and steps that need to be mastered. Below, I'll go into more detail about how to make a delicious stewed elbow.
First of all, we need to prepare the ingredients and seasonings we need. The main ingredients include pork knuckle, green onion, ginger, garlic, etc., while the seasonings include cooking wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, sugar, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, etc. The choice of these ingredients and seasonings is crucial to the final taste, so make sure they are fresh and of good quality.
Next, we started working on the pork knuckle. Wash the pork knuckle to remove hair and impurities from the surface, and then use a knife to make a few cuts on the skin of the pork knuckle to absorb the flavor. This may seem like a simple step, but it actually has a significant impact on the subsequent cooking process. A few cuts will not only allow the seasoning to penetrate into the meat better, but also make the meat more tender.
After processing the pork knuckle, we put it in a pot, add enough water, and skim off the foam after boiling over high heat. This step is to remove blood and impurities from the pork knuckle and make the final product more refreshing. Then, add cooking wine, green onions, ginger, garlic and other seasonings, turn to low heat and simmer for a while. This will give the pork knuckle an initial flavor and make the meat more crispy.
During the simmering process, we can prepare the seasoning for the stew. Pour an appropriate amount of oil into the pan, add sugar, and fry over low heat until the sugar dissolves and shows a reddish-brown sugar color. Sugar is one of the key steps in braising elbows, as it adds an attractive colour and flavor to them. Next, put the stewed pork knuckles in a pan and fry until the surface is evenly colored.
After the coloring is completed, we add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt and other seasonings to taste. These spices not only add texture and flavor to the elbow, but also add flavor to it. Then, add an appropriate amount of water, just above your elbow. At the same time, add spices such as star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, etc., turn to low heat after boiling, cover the pot and simmer.
The simmering time depends on the situation, generally 1.5-2 hours. During this process, we should always pay attention to the amount of water in the pot and the heat to ensure that the elbow can be heated evenly and fully absorb the flavor of the seasoning. When the elbows are simmered until soft and flavoury, we can reduce the heat to a minimum and continue to simmer for a while to thicken the soup.
The final step is plating and matching. Remove the stewed elbow and place on a plate. Pour the soup from the pot over the surface of the elbow to add more flavor. At this time, a stewed elbow with bright red color, soft and salty fragrance, and mellow juice is completed. Pair it with a bowl of hot rice or some refreshing vegetables to accentuate the deliciousness of the braised elbow.
Overall, there are some key cooking skills and steps that need to be mastered to make braised elbows. By choosing fresh ingredients and seasonings, handling pork knuckles correctly, carefully stewing and seasoning, and matching them properly, we can make a rotten and delicious stewed elbow. Whether it's a family dinner or a gathering of friends, this delicious stewed elbow can be a highlight on the table, allowing people to enjoy the pleasure and satisfaction of the food.