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The Ultimate Guide to Boiling Pork: A Delicious, Tender and Odorless Experience

To cook a delicious boiled pork dish, follow these simple steps.

11 September, 2024

How to Choose and Prepare Delicious Pork

To create a mouth-watering boiled pork dish, it’s essential to start with fresh, high-quality meat. The best cuts for boiling are pork belly or hind leg, offering a balanced ratio of lean meat and fat that results in tender and flavorful bites.

When selecting your pork, look for a bright pink color, a firm texture, and good elasticity when gently pressed. The cut surface should be dry and clean, indicating freshness. Avoid meat that appears pale, has a soft texture, or emits an unpleasant odor, as these are signs of spoilage due to improper storage.

Eliminating the Unpleasant Odor from Pork

Typically, pork from healthy, naturally-raised pigs should have a pleasant aroma and taste. However, due to the use of growth-promoting feed, some pork in the market today may have an undesirable odor. To address this, follow these steps to clean and deodorize your meat:

Thoroughly wash the pork: Before boiling, rinse the meat multiple times with clean water to remove any impurities and chemical residues. You can also add a small amount of salt to the water for a deeper clean.

Two-step boiling process: A little-known secret to preventing boiled pork from smelling is to boil it twice. The first boil helps eliminate impurities, while the second boil ensures thorough cooking.

The Right Way to Boil Pork

First boil: Start by adding a teaspoon of vinegar, a few thin slices of ginger, and half a teaspoon of salt to boiling water. Then, place the pork in the pot and blanch for about 2 minutes. Remove the meat and rinse it under clean water. The vinegar and salt combination helps maintain the meat’s whiteness while removing any unpleasant odors.

Second boil: Place the meat in a pot, covering it with water. Add a few crushed scallion bulbs and a touch of seasoning. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. To check if the pork is cooked, pierce it with a skewer; if no red liquid seeps out, it’s ready.

The boiling time depends on the thickness of the meat. For larger, thicker pieces, it’s advisable to make cuts or notches to ensure even cooking and tenderness. During boiling, regularly skim off any foam that forms to keep the water clean and prevent residue from adhering to the meat.

Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot and allow it to cool slightly. Then, slice the meat into thin, bite-sized pieces, cutting across the grain to ensure tenderness. Finally, arrange the pork on a plate and prepare a delicious dipping sauce to accompany your tender and aromatic boiled pork dish.

Frequently asked questions

Boiling pork is a fantastic way to prepare this meat as it results in tender, delicious, and odorless pork. This method is also versatile, allowing you to create a variety of dishes with different flavors and textures. By boiling pork, you can easily remove any strong pork odor, making it more pleasant and appealing to a wider range of tastes.

Preparing the pork before boiling is simple but important. Start by choosing the right cut of pork, preferably with some fat content for extra flavor and moisture. Trim any excess fat, and then rinse the meat under cold running water. Finally, use a sharp knife to remove any remaining hair and cut the pork into your desired size and thickness.

To ensure your boiled pork is tender, there are a few key steps to follow. First, always use a pot that is large enough to completely submerge the pork in water. Bring the water to a rolling boil before adding the pork, and then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Cook the pork for approximately 10 minutes per inch of thickness, and always use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for safe consumption.

Adding flavor to boiled pork is easy and can be done in a few ways. One simple method is to create a flavorful broth by adding ingredients like garlic, ginger, onions, bay leaves, and peppercorns to the boiling water. You can also marinate the pork before boiling it, using a mixture of soy sauce, honey, or other spices and herbs to infuse flavor into the meat.

Once your pork is boiled, there are numerous ways to serve it. You can slice or shred the pork and use it in salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries. For a heartier meal, serve the boiled pork with a flavorful sauce or gravy, and a side of vegetables or rice. Don’t forget to use the pork broth created during boiling to add extra flavor to soups, stews, or sauces!