VINEGARED PIG'S TROTTERS (Chinese believe black vinegar purifies
the blood, old ginger drives out wind, and brown sugar puts a check
on "dampness". Pigs' Trotters are said to provide collagen and is
good for strengthening joints & lumbar. Sesame seed oil is also
to promote blood circulation and the eggs to nourish the
body.)
2 Pig's Trotters
1 kg Old Ginger, skinned & smashed lightly
4 Tbsp Sesame Seed Oil
1 bottle (4cups) Black Vinegar
600g Brown Sugar
4 Hard Boiled Eggs, shelled
9 cups water
Clean & pluck off the hair from the pig's trotters. Cut into
Big serving pieces.
Heat Sesame Seed Oil. Fry Old ginger until golden brown &
fragrant.
Put fried ginger into a BIG claypot. Add vinegar, water, and brown
sugar. Bring to a boil and leave to simmer for 1/2 an hour until
ginger becomes soft.
Add pig's trotters and continue to simmer until soft & tender
(approx. 2hrs)
Add shelled hard-boiled eggs 1/2 and hour before serving. You can
also put the eggs in with its shells still on though. This way, the
vinegar will dissolve the shells and provide more calcium for the
mother in confinement!
This dish also tastes nicer upon standing for days! If you can
spare your crockpot/slowcooker, you can also prepare this dish in
your crockpot. Some uses a whole kilo of ginger always! It's very
sour, very hot and rather sweet.