The texturous wonder of stewed pig feet
Today has been good to me, and despite the common attitude of Americans toward anything but “common meats,” I think it’s time to talk about one of the most tasteworthy albeit shunned part of a pig. They package and sell it at the Super Walmart in Humble, they’ve been eating it with banh canh (a Southwestern Vietnamese udon-like rice noodle soup) probably since the Southwestern delta became part of Vietnam. (And no, it is not because meat was rare that they had to eat everything, the Southwestern delta region is the most prosperous piece of land of the country.) It takes some work to cook, a strong hand to rub salt and wash, many hours of stewing on a stove, but the result never fails your satisfaction. Yes, it’s the foot of a pig.
It looks chubby, but if it’s cooked well, it takes almost no effort to rip the edible part off the bone, and even less to chew. It is a layer of thick skin with tendon and very little fat, extremely tender, but not too tender to lose the firm texture. It’s good because it’s firm and tender. It’s not dry and fibrous like a piece of pale chicken breast. It doesn’t need a knife to cut like a chunk of steak, it just comes off the bone. It is washable with salt water before cooking, unlike a snail. It doesn’t need a handful of spice or a skillet of oil and batter to buff up the taste like a fish fillet. You can keep it as simple as boiling in a pot of water, and the natural sweetness from its bone marrow will make it good on its own. My mom doesn’t cook it with banh canh either (for those who are interested in banh canh gio heo, here’s the recipe). She lets it sit on the stove for a while, then throws in vegetable of choice, usually potato, carrot, and broccoli, and a couple of eggs, to make a soup. Her most recent creation is pig’s feet stewed with artichoke, or “gio heo ham atiso“.
A recollection here. During lunch break in high school, some kids usually go out to a noodle shack outside the school gate to get a bowl of banh canh gio heo. They have lots of those in Saigon, where it can be anything from a house transformed into a small eatery indoor, or a few plastic chairs, a small folding table, and a noodle cart on the sidewalk. In those bowls you can see at most a slice or two of pig’s trotter, but never the whole thing. It’s expensive for the work put into cooking it, for its texture, and for its scarcity. One pig has only 4 of those but a ton of meat, and no dummy would raise a pig for its feet, so only when there are tons of pork sold that pigs would be killed, and pig’s feet would be available. Keep buying pork, guys!
PS: Good to see the foggy side of the world enjoy this as well.
Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means appear to get one thing done.
1Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I am hoping you write once more very soon!
2It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it!
3Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a very good job with this. Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me on Chrome. Superb Blog!
4Whats Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist different users like its helped me. Great job.
5I’ve read several just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you set to create one of these excellent informative web site.
6Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, awesome blog!
7Some times its a pain in the ass to read what people wrote but this site is real user pleasant! .
8wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
9I simply needed to thank you very much all over again. I do not know the things I might have implemented in the absence of the type of pointers revealed by you over such topic. Completely was an absolute daunting setting for me personally, but taking a look at a new expert tactic you managed the issue made me to weep with gladness. Extremely happy for the guidance and then hope that you are aware of an amazing job that you are carrying out educating the rest thru your webblog. Probably you have never met any of us.
10Whats Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & aid other users like its aided me. Good job.
11I simply wished to thank you very much yet again. I am not sure what I would’ve implemented in the absence of the actual techniques provided by you directly on such a problem. This has been an absolute intimidating difficulty in my circumstances, nevertheless spending time with your specialized manner you dealt with that forced me to cry over gladness. Now i’m happier for this assistance and in addition hope that you realize what a great job your are undertaking training most people via your blog post. Probably you’ve never got to know any of us.
12I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
13I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Many thanks
14After I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any means you may take away me from that service? Thanks!
15Respect to post author, some excellent entropy.
16I loved as much as you’ll obtain carried out proper here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. however, you command get got an nervousness over that you would like be turning in the following. in poor health certainly come further beforehand once more as exactly the same just about a lot continuously inside case you protect this hike.
17I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often to check up on new posts
18Precisely what I was looking for, thanks for posting.
19Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for rookie blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
20Someone essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish extraordinary. Fantastic job!
21Only wanna remark on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the content is very great : D.
22I’m extremely impressed with your writing abilities as smartly as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you modify it your self? Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it is uncommon to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..
23I am happy that I noticed this website, exactly the right info that I was searching for! .
24Hi there, I found your site via Google while searching for a related topic, your site came up, it looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
25You have remarked very interesting details! ps decent website.
26Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
27I’ve learn some just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you set to make such a fantastic informative website.
28I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. cheers
29I have recently started a website, the info you offer on this site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
30Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great style. “The price one pays for pursuing a profession, or calling, is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.” by James Arthur Baldwin.
31You are my aspiration, I have few blogs and occasionally run out from to post : (.
32This really answered my problem, thank you!
33I really enjoy reading through on this internet site, it holds superb blog posts. “One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.” by Andre Gide.
34Yay google is my queen helped me to find this outstanding internet site! .
35I was just looking for this info for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative sites in top of the list. Generally the top web sites are full of garbage.
36excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the opposite experts of this sector do not understand this. You should continue your writing. I’m sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
37WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. …
38This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
39Would love to always get updated outstanding website! .
40Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
41Its great as your other posts : D, thankyou for putting up.
42Thank you for sharing with us, I conceive this website genuinely stands out :D.
43I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
44Some times its a pain in the ass to read what website owners wrote but this internet site is rattling user genial! .
45Good day! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My website addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!
46I see something really special in this web site.
47You should take part in a contest for among the best blogs on the web. I will advocate this website!
48I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!
49Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers
50