Where to get pig legs
I’m pretty sure you’ll have to stand on your own two feet at an Asian grocery store. I can find pork legs in my Asian store both in the refrigerated section and in the frozen section. You can get whole legs of pigs but why do it for yourself. Take them already cut into cubes. I prefer ones without fingers, because removing them at home can cost you a nice cutting board and knife.
How to cook pork legs
In Asian cultures, we like to clean everything, including animal proteins. Sometimes, we can run away with animal protein straight from a stove shop like steak chunks. But pork legs are one of those proteins that need to be cleaned. Without exception. Just like internal organs, it can taste wonderful if cleaned properly, but you will know immediately when it is not.
To clean, rub it with a combination of salt and vinegar. Sometimes white wine is used instead of vinegar. Use coarse salt to scrub your feet and then rinse well with water. You can stop here if you are pressed for time or angry at the world. But I highly recommend continuing to whiten your bones with aromatics.
To do this, bring a large pot to a boil and toss in ginger, shallots and / or green onions. Add the pork legs and cook for 5 minutes until the impurities (foam) float to the top. Remove the pork legs from the boiling liquid. Rinse well with cold water, strain dry and set aside. Now we can finally use it to start cooking. Pio. Did you do it!
By the way, the boiling liquid that was used to pigs’ feet? Make sure you do not throw it in the sewer. After cooling, it will solidify and smell devastating on your drain over time. Set aside to cool completely and then dispose of properly in the trash.
How long to cook pork legs
For the legs of pigs it will take about one hour to cook to the end, if already cut into cubes. You want it to be really soft and gelatinous before you add vegetables. Once you can easily pierce it with a chopstick, you can continue with the rest of the soup.
