Braised Pork Trotters with Ginger and Black Vinegar

While I was in China at my brother-in-law's place, I enjoyed local food outside and also from the home cooked dishes prepared by their domestic helper.

However, that did not stop our hosts; my brother-in-law and sister-in-law from chipping in and surprising us with their very own set of culinary skills from their kitchen.
Of course, that was also with the help of my mother-in-law who acted as the advisor and supervisor in the kitchen and sharing her own secret recipe in cooking simple dishes.

One of such dish is this: Braised Pork Trotters with Ginger and Black Vinegar

Due to the elements and ingredients of this dish which included ginger, garlic, black vinegar and pork, it is a popular dish made to be consumed by women who were in their confinement period (one month after giving birth).
The Chinese believed that the ingredients composed of 'heat-induced' elements which could help to provide heat and replenish the energy lost in the process of giving birth, and at the same time, rejuvenate the blood flow in the women's bodies.

This is a traditional dish typically used to maintain the health of birth giving mothers after labor; and is only one of the dishes served during the period. There is not much of variety either, for women nursing their health after birth as there were too many taboos preventing them from simply consuming anything that is deemed to deteriorate the immune system which is said to have weakened following their major loss of blood during birth. Therefore, based on the principles of the Yin and Yang in the traditional Chinese medicinal practice, when one is sick or weak, it usually refers to the loss of Yang energy and food/ingredients should often contain the elements of Yang in it to return the immune system to normal; or balanced in terms of the Yin and the Yang.

Despite this being a confinement type of food, it does not mean that this cannot be consumed by others or in normal times as it is an exceptionally popular dish among the Chinese community as well, to be served during meals.
My brother-in-law used a lot of black vinegar and garlic in cooking this dish; as he loved the strong taste and I guess he was also, at the same time trying to use garlic to counter or repel the odor of the black vinegar which filled the whole house the minute he started cooking.

Then my mother-in-law and his wife just stood beside him and told him to put in the ginger and add in sugar, and keep stirring, to make sure that the tastes of the dish is even and aromatic.
Also, the sugar is to dilute and balance the sour tastes from the black vinegar.

The end result was not too bad; in appearance although most mentioned that the taste was a little uneven. I am not really a fan of this, so I didn't taste it myself.


Maybe it is true that 'Too many cooks spoil the soup?' :)

Winter Solstice Saga: How to make Fried Rice

Winter Solstice is one of the most important festival celebrated by the Chinese community all over the world, to observe the end of the winter season as the day starts to get longer and there will be more sunshine.
The festival is commonly observed on December 22nd; where sunshine is at its weakest point and the day tends to be shorter.
It seems that the daylight will be longer after this celebration.

Like all Chinese festivals, the Winter Solstice focuses on family gatherings and reunions, and it is said that this festival precedes in importance of the Lunar Chinese New Year as it is considered to mark a new cycle of season.

My mother, being a traditionalist, tells us about the importance of this festival and we try to make it a point to celebrate it together as a family each year.
(Since we have our meals together every day, it did not really make that much of difference anyway, but this year it's special as I am already married :)

I still managed to celebrate with my family, as my in-laws were out of town, and they do not really observe the festival. (They are simple people, really, but they don't mind celebrating either ;)

My brother's gf is a natural at cooking, and having her around was really a good thing as she helped with the cooking and also shared a few tips and tricks about the kitchen.
That's really good for noob cooks like me, LOL!:P

As the title mentioned, I learnt how to make fried rice as we have a lot of leftover rice in the fridge.

Yeah, when you have lots of fried rice in the fridge, you naturally think of making Fried rice, which makes everything simpler; has everything in one dish and tastes great.

One mistake we made was to put the rice in the freezer, and we spent some time de-frosting it :p

The following are the ingredients for the Fried Rice Recipe:
Leftover white rice (obviously) - I heard that leftover rice makes better fried rice, is that true?

Onions, grounded garlic, sliced carrot


Diced long beans


Minced meat (pork or chicken works) or if you are a seafood fan like me, you can substitute with prawns too! (not to mention if you have the budget as well ;)


Eggs


Spring onions to garnish the fried rice


Now, on to the steps to cook Fried rice!

Step 1: Pour oil into the wok/pan (a non-stick type would be best)

Step 2: Pour the eggs into the wok and fry the eggs





Eggs to be fried to the scrambled type


Step 3: Fry the minced meat



Step 4: Throw in the carrots and cook 'em!


Step 5: Throw in the long beans as well


Step 6: Take out the carrots and long beans, and cook the onions next


Step 7: Put in the rice and fry together with the carrots, long beans, and onions
Note: If you have too much rice to fit into the wok, like us, it would be best to cook them in two separate rounds to maintain the even taste and quality of the fried rice.


All cooked and ready to serve; a simple plate of fried rice!

It really sounded and seemed so simple to make this, really!

We had some dishes to complement the fried rice as well :)
Fried mackerel


Baked beans with potato and eggs


Braised vegetables


All ready for lunch!:)


I am sure it was a breeze for most of you, who are just so used to the kitchen and cooking :)
For me, it was a great learning experience, and hopefully I can make some one day ;)