Ingredients
Pork trotters, as needed.
Seasonings
Cured brine, coarse salt, scallion sections, ginger slices, and Shaoxing wine, each to taste.
Instructions
1. Scrape and clean the pork trotters, then split them open flat with a knife, remove the bones, and place skin-side down on a cutting board. Use a bamboo skewer to poke several small holes in the lean meat, sprinkle evenly with curing salt water, then rub thoroughly with coarse salt. After marinating the trotters in a vat, remove them and soak in cold water for 1 hour, then take them out, scrape off any impurities from the skin, and rinse clean with warm water.
2. Place the pork trotters skin-side up in a pot, add scallion sections, ginger slices, Shaoxing wine, and water, then braise until the meat is tender. Remove and place skin-side down in a flat pan, cover with an empty pan, and press flat. Bring the cooking liquid in the pot to a boil, skim off the surface fat, and pour it into the flat pan. Add a little fresh pork skin aspic to help it set, resulting in Crystal Pork Terrine. This dish is tender and rich, luscious without being greasy, and delightfully savory.