stewed pig's feet with peanuts

Peanut Braised Pork Trotters: A Comprehensive Guide

Peanut braised pork trotters is a beloved comfort dish, celebrated for its tender meat, creamy peanuts, and rich umami flavor. Here’s a detailed guide to mastering this recipe.

Ingredients: 1 kg pork trotters (cut into pieces), 200 g raw peanuts (soaked for 4 hours), 50 g ginger (sliced), 3 garlic cloves, 2 bay leaves, 1 star anise, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp cooking wine, 1 tbsp sugar, and enough water to cover.

Steps:

1. Prep the trotters: Blanch pork trotters in boiling water for 5 minutes, then rinse to remove impurities. Soak peanuts until slightly softened.

2. Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a pot, stir-fry ginger, garlic, bay leaves, and star anise until fragrant.

3. Brown the trotters: Add trotters, cooking wine, and soy sauces, searing until lightly browned.

4. Simmer: Pour in water (just cover the ingredients), add peanuts and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5–2 hours, until trotters are fork-tender and peanuts are creamy.

5. Thicken (optional): Uncover, increase heat slightly, and simmer for 10 minutes to reduce the sauce if desired.

Serving: Serve hot with steamed rice, garnished with scallions. The dish pairs perfectly with a touch of vinegar to cut through the richness.

This hearty meal, slow-cooked to perfection, promises warmth and satisfaction with every bite.