When visiting the market, most people often pay attention to choosing pork belly, pork loin, or pork butt. In addition, they also have a special preference for enticing spare ribs.
However, it is worth noting that there is a relatively small amount of meat on a pig’s body, only about 200g. The interesting thing is that this meat is one of the most delicious parts of pork, with a delicious flavor and significant nutritional value, comparable to rare herbs like ginseng with thousands of years of history.
Meat from this pork jowl has a very small amount, so to ensure that you can buy it, you need to go to the market early or even notify the seller in advance. When choosing to buy, the most important thing is to pay attention to the following points:
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The surface of the pork jowl must be dry and without signs of moisture. If you feel any moisture, it may be because the meat has been injected with water or frozen.
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The color of the meat should be fresh, bright red and without signs of blackening.
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The meat should not have a strange smell, should not release water, and it should also maintain its elasticity. This is especially important to ensure quality and deliciousness when cooking.
There are various ways to cook pork jowl to bring out unique and rich flavors. With alternating tender meat and fat layers, pork jowl not only avoids the problem of toughness, fiber, or dryness but also brings a characteristic smoothness. Here are some ideas for cooking pork jowl:
Stewed Pork Jowl:
Boil or steam to preserve the natural sweetness of the meat. Stewed dishes are a simple and delicious choice, especially suitable for enjoying with family.
Braised Pork Jowl with Quail Eggs:
Apply the usual braised meat recipe, marinate the meat with fish sauce, salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate, purple onion, and minced chili before braising. Add food color and use coconut water to create a natural sweetness. Finally, add quail eggs to complete the dish.
Stir-Fried Pork Jowl with Vegetables:
Grilling the pork jowl helps it retain more moisture and tenderness compared to regular meat. Use pre-packaged grilled meat seasoning to save cooking time. You can grill it with various vegetables to create an exciting BBQ party. The cooking methods above not only preserve the characteristic flavor of pork jowl but also create rich and delicious meals.
Avoid These 7 Critical Mistakes When Grilling Pork
It is possible to grill pork to perfection if the right steps are followed. Key actions to take include selecting the correct type of pork, cutting it into suitable portions, marinating it, browning it, and avoiding overcooking. These tips and more will help ensure the flavor and tenderness of the grilled pork are just right.