Braised pork, a home-cooked delicacy that has different cooking techniques in different parts of China. To make a delicious pot of braised pork, it's not just a simple boil, stew, and stew, the secret lies in two steps: marinade and soak. As the old saying goes, "Braised pork depends on marinade for three points, and soak for seven points." ”
This sentence expresses the essence of braised pork making: the preparation of marinade is important, but the subsequent soaking is the key to making braised meat more flavorful and fragrant. Next, we will explain in detail why soaking, what it does, and how to make a delicious pot of braised pork with proper soaking and the use of spices.
Why soak?
1. Taste better
In the marinating process, although the marinated meat has absorbed part of the flavor of the marinade, it still needs to be soaked for a long time in order for the marinated meat to truly achieve the effect of "flavoring". By soaking, the marinade penetrates deeper into the inside of the meat, imbuing every bite with a rich aroma.
2. Make the meat more fragrant
Soaking is not only to make the meat tasteful, but also to make the meat more mellow. After a long period of soaking, the spices and seasonings in the marinade can be fully combined with the meat to enhance the overall aroma level.
3. Absorb the marinade
The first major effect of soaking is to allow the meat to absorb more marinade. The marinade is rich in spices and condiments, and through long-term soaking, these substances can be fully absorbed by the meat, making the flavor of the marinated meat more intense.
4. Ripening
Soaking can also play a role in ripening, making the meat softer and more rotten. Especially in some harder meats, such as beef or pig's trotters, after a long time of soaking, the meat can be made softer and melt in the mouth.
A brief introduction to several spices that are flavorful
1. Cloves
Cloves are a common spice that has a rich aroma and a unique taste. During the marinating process, cloves provide a warm aroma that enhances the overall taste level. When using cloves, be careful with the amount you douse, as using too much can mask the flavor of other spices.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a spice with a spicy flavor that is often used to enhance freshness and remove fishiness. In the marinating process, ginger can not only increase the aroma, but also enhance the freshness of the marinade. When using ginger, do not use too much, otherwise it will mask the flavor of the ingredients themselves.
The specific process of making braised pork
Preparation of Materials:
Ingredients: 1 kg of pork belly
Excipients: ginger slices, green onions, garlic cloves
Seasoning: soy sauce, cooking wine, rock sugar, dark soy sauce
Spices: cloves, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves
Step 1: Preparation
1. Cut the pork belly into pieces of appropriate size, wash and set aside.
2. Prepare ginger slices, green onions, garlic cloves, and wrap cloves, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves and other spices in gauze to make a spice bag.
Step 2: Blanch
1. Put the processed ingredients in water, heat until boiling, and cook for about 5 minutes to remove blood and impurities from the meat.
2. Remove the pork belly, rinse with water and drain.
Step 3: Marinate
1. Put some water in a pot, add ginger slices, green onions, garlic cloves and spice packets.
2. Add soy sauce, cooking wine, rock sugar and dark soy sauce and stir well.
3. Put the pork belly in a pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer slowly for about 1.5 hours until the meat is tender.
Step 4: Soak
1. Turn off the heat, keep the marinade and soak the marinated pork belly in the marinade for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
2. During the soaking process, the marinade can be turned from time to time so that the meat pieces can absorb the flavor of the marinade evenly.
Through the above steps, you can make a pot of braised pork with good color and flavor. As the saying of "three points of marinade, seven points of bubble", after a long time of soaking, the taste of braised meat is richer and the meat quality is more mellow. Whether it is used as the main course of a meal or as a daily snack, braised pork can bring people endless delicious enjoyment.
I hope this article will help you better understand the essence of braised pork making and try to make your own delicious braised pork at home.