Boiled pork is a familiar dish in Vietnam. Boiled pork is easy to eat and not greasy. However, there is a certain technique to boiling pork to ensure the meat is tender, juicy, and not dry. With the following recipe, you will be able to master the art of boiling pork and create a memorable dining experience.
How to Choose the Best Pork
When buying pork, don’t just close your eyes and ask for a certain weight. Instead, carefully observe the meat to ensure you’re getting the best quality. Here are some things to keep in mind:
– Avoid buying pork that looks pale and watery, as this could indicate that the pig has been injected with water to increase its weight. Such meat tends to have a mushy texture and releases more water during cooking.
– Be cautious of unusually lean and thin cuts of meat, as they may have been injected with lean meat-promoting agents, which can be harmful to your health.
– It’s best to steer clear of meat with a deep red color, as this could be a sign that the pig was injected with sedatives before slaughter, causing the blood to pool and darken in the cells.
– A good way to test the quality of the meat is to press it with your finger. If the indentation quickly returns to its original shape, it’s a good indication that the pork is fresh and of high quality.
Proper Meat Preparation
Pork contains high levels of protein, but when you soak it in hot water, a significant amount of protein is lost. Additionally, blanching meat in boiling water can cause it to toughen and absorb more chemicals and impurities, making it even more harmful. The correct way to handle raw pork is to quickly rinse it under clean running water or wash it in a dilute salt solution.
The most effective method is to soak the pork in a brine solution to remove any impurities and enhance the flavor of your dish.
Alternatively, you can place the pork in a pot of cold water and bring it to a boil. If you notice any scum rising to the surface during this process, skim it off, as it contains toxins released from the meat.
By diligently following these steps before cooking, you can rest assured that the pork you’re consuming is safe and of good quality.