Ingredients
Cooking pork trotters with sea cucumber requires a few important ingredients. These include half a kilogram of pork trotters, three sea cucumbers, two cloves of minced garlic, one sliced onion, one teaspoon of crushed ginger, one teaspoon of five spice powder, one teaspoon of light soy sauce, half a teaspoon of dark soy sauce, one tablespoon of rice wine, one teaspoon of brown sugar, one tablespoon of sesame oil, one cup of water or stock, one tablespoon of thin soy sauce, chopped spring onion and coriander. Make sure to season to taste with salt and pepper.
Preparing the Ingredients
To prepare the ingredients, begin by washing the sea cucumbers thoroughly in cold water. Cut the sea cucumbers into 1 cm slices. Peel the pork trotters and cut them into chunks of about 15 cm. Mince the garlic, and slice the onion and ginger. Set aside the chopped spring onion and coriander.
Cooking the Pork Trotters and Sea Cucumbers
In a pan, heat some oil and fry the garlic, onion and ginger until fragrant. Add the pork trotters and fry for a few minutes until they start to brown. Pour in the water or stock, five spice powder, light and dark soy sauce, sesame oil, thin soy sauce and rice wine. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes or longer until the pork trotters are tender. Add in the sea cucumbers and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serving the Pork Trotter and Sea Cucumber Dish
When the pork trotters and sea cucumbers are cooked, add in the brown sugar and combine well. Serve the dish in a bowl with the spring onions and coriander sprinkled on top and season generously with salt and pepper. The dish is ready to be eaten with steamed white rice.
Health Benefits of Eating Pork Trotters and Sea Cucumbers
Pork trotters are an excellent source of protein, fat, minerals and vitamins which are beneficial for the human body. Sea cucumbers are also a rich source of antioxidant compounds, polysaccharides and fatty acids which are great for boosting overall health and wellness. The pork trotters provide fatty acids such as omega 3s which are great for cardiovascular health. Eating the pork trotters and sea cucumbers together provide a balanced meal that can be beneficial for maintaining good health.
Tips for Cooking Pork Trotters and Sea Cucumbers
When preparing and cooking the pork trotters and sea cucumbers, it is essential to mince the garlic, slice the onion and ginger and chop the spring onion and coriander. Make sure to simmer the pork trotters for 45 minutes or more until it is tender. Adding in the sea cucumbers after 15 minutes and simmering for another 15 minutes is important for the dish to be cooked properly. Also, seasoning the dish with salt and pepper is important for flavoring the dish.
Alternatives to Pork Trotters and Sea Cucumbers
Pork trotters and sea cucumbers are a traditional dish in Chinese cuisine, but there are other alternatives for cooking pork trotters and sea cucumbers. One alternative is to deep fry the pork trotters in oil, then add the sea cucumber into the sauce and simmer for a few minutes. Another alternative is to steam both the pork trotters and sea cucumbers together with other ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic and peppers. Both of these alternatives are just as flavorful and delicious as the traditional dish.
Pairing Suggestions for Pork Trotters and Sea Cucumbers
When serving the pork trotters and sea cucumbers for a meal, a few pairing suggestions can make the dish more enjoyable. Steamed white rice, cooked noodles or fried bread are popular pairings for this dish. Roasted or steamed vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and beans can also make great accompaniments. A cold glass of beer or Chinese spirit can help to wash the dish down nicely.
Conclusion
Cooking pork trotters and sea cucumbers is a delicious dish which is filled with flavour and nutrition. It is important to prepare the ingredients correctly and simmer the pork trotters for 45 minutes or more until they are tender. Adding the sea cucumber for the final 15 minutes of cooking and seasoning with salt and pepper can help to bring out all the flavours of the dish. Paired with steamed white rice or cooked noodles and some roasted or steamed vegetables, this is an enjoyable and tasty dish that will have everyone asking for more.
