When going to the market, most people usually only care about pork belly, pork loin, or pork butt. Additionally, they also love rib bones. However, in reality, on a pig, only a small part of the whole pig accounts for about 200g. Notably, this part is the most delicious part of the pork, bringing a flavorful and valuable taste, like a thousand-year-old ginseng, that is the pork cheek.
Things to note when buying pork cheek
This pork cheek is very rare, so if you want to buy it, you have to go to the market early or even have to tell the seller in advance to ensure there is stock. When choosing, pay attention to the following criteria:
The surface of the pork cheek must be dry, without any signs of moisture. If you touch the pork and feel moist, it may have been injected with water or frozen.
The color of the meat must be bright, pink-red, without any signs of blackening.
The meat should not have a strange smell, not be watery, and not lose its elasticity.
What delicious dishes can you make with pork cheek?
Braised pork cheek with quail eggs
To make this dish, you apply a formula that is not much different from the usual way of braising meat. After buying the meat, you wash it thoroughly with saltwater, and boil the quail eggs then peel. Before braising, marinate the meat with fish sauce, salt, sugar, MSG, purple onions, minced chili.
When braising, you add the marinade into the pan, then briefly stir-fry the marinated meat along with coconut water to allow the meat to naturally sweeten. Finally, add the quail eggs, and it’s done. This braised pork cheek dish is not only less greasy than regular fatty meat, but also tender thanks to the combination of meat and tendons.
Stir-fried pork cheek with vegetables
Many people also stir-fry pork cheek with vegetables, which has a unique and delicious flavor, resembling beef tenderloin. You can stir-fry pork cheek with various vegetables such as bell peppers, snow peas, corn, etc. The fragrant and sweet taste from fresh vegetables, along with the soft meat tendons, guarantees an irresistible dish.
Grilled pork cheek
While regular meat tends to dry out and become tough when grilled, pork cheek absorbs the seasoning deeply and becomes tender when cooked. To save time, you can use a packet of marinade for grilled meat. When cooking, you can grill it together with various vegetables to create a small BBQ party.
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A Pig with a 2-ounce organ just as valuable as ginseng and bird’s nest, no worries about weight gain when eating
When you go grocery shopping, don’t overlook this part of the pig, as it is very valuable and beneficial for your health.
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