Pork bones are an essential part of many traditional dishes, from delicious pho to nutritious porridge. However, not everyone knows how to choose good pork bones.
Tips for choosing good pork bones
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Firstly, consumers should pay attention to the natural color and aroma of the bones. Choose bones that are white-pink in color, with no strange or foul smell. Fresh and good pork bones usually have white fat, without any yellow stains, and the meat around the bones is soft and has a natural pink color. When touched, the bones should not feel sticky and have good elasticity, these are signs that the pork bones are of high quality.
How to prepare the bones
Before simmering, the pork bones need to be carefully prepared to remove any odor and impurities. The first step is to thoroughly wash the bones under cold water, then soak them in cold water with a little salt for about 15-20 minutes.
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Next, boil the bones in water for about 5 minutes and skim off any foam to ensure that the bone broth is clear and clean. This helps to remove any remaining odor and blood on the bones, ensuring that the simmered broth will be clear and more delicious.
How to simmer the bones to make clear and flavorful broth
In the culinary art, bone broth is not only a cooking ingredient but also the essence of the dish, determining the success of soups, pho, or hotpots.
Simmering the bones is a process that requires patience and meticulousness. To have clear and flavorful broth, simmering the bones requires meticulousness and carefulness from preparation to completion. First and foremost, after the bones have been prepared, they need to be boiled on high heat, then simmered on low heat.
Adding green papaya into the pot helps the bones become tender and the broth more flavorful. (Illustration)
To make the bone broth not only clear but also quick and flavorful, you can add a green papaya to the pot. The enzymes in green papaya help break down the collagen structure in the bones, making them tender and soft. Make sure to add the green papaya halfway through the simmering process to avoid losing nutrients.
Once the bones are tender, remove them and strain the broth carefully to obtain a high-quality bone broth, ready to be the base for delicious dishes.
In addition, according to information from Lao Dong newspaper, you can also add some vegetables such as carrots and onions to the broth for added flavor. Remember not to simmer the bones for too long as it will make the broth cloudy and sour.
Lastly, using a pressure cooker can also help save time while preserving the taste and nutrients of the bone broth. After simmering, the bone broth should be strained to remove any residue and bones, leaving only the clear liquid for use in dishes.
