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.
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
1Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
2I think you have noted some very interesting points, thankyou for the post.
3Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
4Hello.This post was really interesting, especially because I was looking for thoughts on this issue last Monday.
5Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.
6Hello.This article was really motivating, especially because I was looking for thoughts on this matter last Sunday.
7I like this web site so much, saved to my bookmarks. “To hold a pen is to be at war.” by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
8The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
9I have learn several just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make this type of magnificent informative web site.
10After research a few of the weblog posts on your website now, and I actually like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website checklist and can be checking back soon. Pls check out my site as effectively and let me know what you think.
11Hi, after rezding thos amazing piece of wrriting i am also deslighted to shuare mmy know-how
12heere woth friends.xnxx
Great awesome things here. I am very happy to look your article. Thanks so much and i’m taking a look ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
13certainly like your web-site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll surely come back again.
14naturally like your website but you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to inform the reality on the other hand I will surely come back again.
15you’re actually a good webmaster. The site loading pace is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a great process on this subject!
16Thanks for all of the effort on this blog. Kate enjoys working on investigations and it’s simple to grasp why. We all notice all of the powerful method you convey worthwhile strategies via the web site and in addition strongly encourage participation from other individuals about this content so our own daughter is without a doubt understanding a great deal. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. You have been conducting a wonderful job.
17You have brought up a very superb details , thankyou for the post.
18Right now it looks like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
19I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
20You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most persons will consent with your website.
21You have brought up a very superb points, thankyou for the post.
22Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
23Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, let alone the content!
24Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
25I think other web site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
26It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
27What i don’t understood is actually how you’re not really much more smartly-preferred than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You already know therefore significantly when it comes to this matter, made me in my view imagine it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated unless it’s something to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. At all times maintain it up!
28I’m curious to find out what blog platform you’re utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any suggestions?
29Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
30Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
31WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. …
32Would you be enthusiastic about exchanging hyperlinks?
33I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
34Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
35I am continually browsing online for posts that can help me. Thx!
36This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
37I couldn’t resist commenting
38I conceive you have mentioned some very interesting details, regards for the post.
39What i do not understood is if truth be told how you are no longer actually a lot more neatly-appreciated than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You understand thus considerably on the subject of this matter, made me for my part consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated until it’s one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs great. At all times maintain it up!
40Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Appreciate it!
41We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to paintings on. You have done a formidable task and our entire neighborhood might be thankful to you.
42Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
43Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances appear to get one thing done.
44Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
45I will right away seize your rss feed as I can not to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me recognize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
46This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
47Very nice article and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is actually the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thank you 🙂
48Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What a great website.
49Thanks for this post, I am a big fan of this website would like to go on updated.
50