VINEGARED PIG'S TROTTERS (Chinese believe black vinegar purifies the blood, old ginger drives out wind, and brown sugar puts a check on "dampness". Pigs' Trotters are said to provide collagen and is good for strengthening joints & lumbar. Sesame seed oil is also to promote blood circulation and the eggs to nourish the body.)
2 Pig's Trotters
1 kg Old Ginger, skinned & smashed lightly
4 Tbsp Sesame Seed Oil
1 bottle (4cups) Black Vinegar
600g Brown Sugar
4 Hard Boiled Eggs, shelled
9 cups water
Clean & pluck off the hair from the pig's trotters. Cut into Big serving pieces.
Heat Sesame Seed Oil. Fry Old ginger until golden brown & fragrant.
Put fried ginger into a BIG claypot. Add vinegar, water, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and leave to simmer for 1/2 an hour until ginger becomes soft.
Add pig's trotters and continue to simmer until soft & tender (approx. 2hrs)
Add shelled hard-boiled eggs 1/2 and hour before serving. You can also put the eggs in with its shells still on though. This way, the vinegar will dissolve the shells and provide more calcium for the mother in confinement!
This dish also tastes nicer upon standing for days! If you can spare your crockpot/slowcooker, you can also prepare this dish in your crockpot. Some uses a whole kilo of ginger always! It's very sour, very hot and rather sweet.