Jokbal (Korean Braised Pig's Trotters)
This homemade jokbal rivals any restaurant version. Pig's trotters are soaked in cold water to draw out the blood, blanched once to remove any off-smell, then simmered gently in a broth of soy sauce, doenjang, espresso, white wine and aromatic vegetables. Without any caramel coloring, the soy sauce and espresso give it a glossy deep color, and the meat turns out tender.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Mini pig's trotters (short cut)2
- Long trotter (below the knee bone)1
- Onion1
- Garlic cloves1 whole head
- Green onion1 stalk
- Cheongyang chili2
- Green onion rootsAs needed
Broth & Seasoning
- WaterAs needed
- White wine2 shot glasses
- Espresso2 shots
- Whole peppercorns1 tbsp
- Doenjang (soybean paste)2 tbsp
- Soy sauce2½ cups
- Corn syrup1 cup
- Sugar1½ cups
Directions
- 1
Soak the trotters in cold water for 1-2 hours to draw out the blood. Changing the water now and then removes the smell more effectively.
- 2
The mini trotters tend to have a lot of hair, so shave the surface clean with a disposable razor.
- 3
Bring plenty of water to a rolling boil, add the trotters, and once it boils again, blanch for 5 minutes to remove the off-smell.
- 4
Rinse the blanched trotters in cold water to wash off the clotted blood and debris. An old toothbrush is handy for cleaning between the toes.
- 5
Prepare the broth ingredients: onion, cheongyang chili, garlic, green onion, and green onion roots (optional).
- 6
In a large pot, pour enough water to cover the trotters and bring to a boil, then add the trotters, 2 shot glasses of white wine, and the prepared broth vegetables.
- 7
Add 2 shots of espresso and 1 tbsp of whole peppercorns. The espresso removes the off-smell and deepens the color (substitute 2 sticks of instant coffee mix if needed).
- 8
Add 2 tbsp of doenjang and 2½ cups of soy sauce. Season only with soy sauce instead of salt, adding a little more if it tastes flat.
- 9
Add 1 cup of corn syrup and 1½ cups of sugar. Adjust the sweetness to taste and check the seasoning by tasting the broth.
- 10
Cover and simmer over medium heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- 11
Take out the fully cooked trotters. Even without caramel, the soy sauce and espresso give a lovely color. Let them cool slightly in the open air.
- 12
Slice the slightly cooled trotters into bite-sized pieces. Cutting them once cooled a bit keeps the slices neat.
- 13
Arrange on a plate and serve with wrapping greens, ssamjang, salted shrimp, chive salad, and garlic.
Tips
Espresso (or instant coffee mix) and soy sauce give an appetizing color without any caramel. Slice the jokbal after it has cooled slightly rather than while hot, so the pieces keep their shape.