Fall – The Ideal Time to Boost Your Natural Collagen
Seasonal changes can be challenging for your skin. Dry air, chilly winds, and low humidity can lead to moisture loss and dullness. Instead of solely relying on moisturizers, many women are now paying more attention to nourishing their skin from within through their diet. And one such delicious and effective tradition is enjoying pig’s trotters braised in soy sauce during the fall season.
Pig’s trotters, a traditional delicacy, are an excellent source of natural collagen, an essential component for achieving supple, soft, and elastic skin. Collagen also promotes strong joints and bones, healthier hair, and stronger nails. On chilly days, indulging in a hot, aromatic bowl of this delicious dish is a treat for both your taste buds and your skin – a win-win situation!
Secrets to Cooking Delicious and Tender Pig’s Trotters in Soy Sauce
Below is a detailed guide to help you recreate this mouthwatering dish at home. The ingredients are easy to source, and the cooking process is straightforward. Just follow these simple steps to achieve perfection.
Ingredients
- 4 pig’s trotters (cleaned)
- 2 tablespoons of rock sugar
- A pinch of white pepper
- 3 slices of ginger, spring onions, or leek
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of cooking wine
- 2 star anise, 1 small cinnamon stick, 1 cardamom pod
- Seasonings: salt, seasoning powder, white pepper to taste
- A handful of coriander for garnishing

Cooking Steps
Step 1 – Trotters Preparation
To eliminate any unpleasant odors and thoroughly clean the skin, use a blow torch or pan-sear the trotters to burn off the outer layer. Then, scrub the trotters with warm water. Cut them into small pieces, blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes to remove impurities, and set aside to drain.
Step 2 – Caramelizing and Sautéing
Heat some cooking oil in a pan, add the rock sugar, and cook over low heat until it turns a beautiful amber color. Once the sugar starts to bubble slightly, add the star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Sauté briefly before adding the trotters and continue cooking until they turn a golden brown color.

Step 3 – Seasoning and Braising
Pour the cooking wine along the side of the pot to enhance the fragrance. Then, add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white pepper, and other seasonings to taste. Once the flavors are well combined and the trotters are evenly coated, transfer the contents to a pressure cooker or a regular pot.
Add just enough boiling water to cover the trotters, along with a bunch of spring onions tied together. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 30-40 minutes until the trotters are tender. For a regular pot, simmer gently for 1.5-2 hours to achieve the desired tenderness and allow the collagen to melt into the broth.

The Perfect Result: Glossy Skin, Thick Sauce, and Intense Flavor
The braised pig’s trotters will exhibit a gorgeous reddish-brown color, with soft yet intact skin and meat. The sauce will be slightly thickened and infused with the aromatic flavors of cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom, blended perfectly with the richness of the trotters.
A final touch of chopped coriander adds freshness to the dish. Whether served with rice, bread, or noodles, this dish is a true comfort food, especially on chilly evenings spent with family and friends.

A Monthly Indulgence for Youthful Skin
Incorporating this delicious dish into your monthly routine is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a natural way to nurture your skin and overall health. Many people have reported noticeable improvements in their skin’s elasticity, stronger nails, and healthier hair after regularly including this collagen-rich meal in their diet.
Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep are also crucial for achieving and maintaining healthy skin. However, supplementing your body with natural collagen through delicious food is always a worthwhile consideration – it’s effective, enjoyable, and easy to stick to in our busy lives.
Nurturing Nature’s Nurture: A Journey to Harmonious Health and Beauty
The launch of the book, “Wellness from Within”, will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 2 pm at Aldora Dynasty, 1A Ton That Tung, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Dr. Nguyen Thu Huong, a renowned beauty queen and entrepreneur, will be introducing her latest work. As the 1995 Vietnamese Sports Beauty Queen, the 2011 runner-up for Mrs. World, and the current Chairman of WLIN Global Holdings and CEO of Nam Huong Media Group, her expertise and influence span across multiple industries.
The Ultimate Pork Delicacies: A Tasty Treasure Trove for the Discerning Foodie.
The pig is a treasure trove of nutritional goodness, with two particular parts that are akin to culinary gems. These prized cuts boast nutritional value comparable to that of ginseng or bird’s nest, offering a plethora of health benefits. They are nature’s very own tonic, boosting immunity and aiding recovery for the infirm.