How to Make Vietnamese Frozen Meat
How to make frozen meat shared by Cookbeo is quite simple, not too complicated in terms of ingredients and preparation, but the final product will surely satisfy you with the combination of pork leg, pig ears, wood ear mushrooms, carrots... making the dish even more visually appealing.
Ingredients
- 500g pork leg
- 2 pig ears: 500-600g
- a small amount of pork skin
- 2 dried shallots
- 6-7 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 10g wood ear mushrooms ~ 1 large ear
- 1 carrot
- Seasonings: Salt, MSG, ground pepper, fish sauce
Ingredient Notes
Some people do not use dried shallots when making frozen meat because it can spoil the dish faster. However, not using dried shallots can reduce the flavor a bit. If you plan to consume the frozen meat within 4-5 days, using shallots is fine.
The characteristic of frozen meat is that it is usually cooked with less seasoning than other dishes. Cooking it with less salt helps it set better and also gives it a cool, refreshing taste when eaten.
Instructions
Prepare Pork Leg and Pig Ears
Rub the pork leg and pig ears with coarse salt, scrape off any remaining hair, especially cleaning out any black residue in the small crevices of the ears. Rinse thoroughly.
Boil a pot of water, and when it reaches a rolling boil, blanch the pork leg and pig ears with a tablespoon of salt for about 3 minutes.
Remove the meat and ears, rinse under cold water to cool them down. Rub again with a little coarse salt, rinse thoroughly, and let them drain well.
If possible, after blanching, immediately submerge the pork leg, pig ears, and pork skin in an ice water bath before rinsing them again. The ice water helps the meat firm up and prevents it from becoming mushy during the simmering process.
After preparation, cut the pork leg and pig ears into bite-sized pieces. Be careful not to cut them too small, as they may crumble during cooking.
Marinate the Meat
Marinate the meat with:
- 1/2 tablespoon of fine salt
- 1 tablespoon of MSG
- 1/2 tablespoon of ground pepper
Prepare Other Ingredients
Peel the dried shallots and slice them thinly.
Peel the carrot, remove the ends, and carve into flower shapes for a decorative touch, about 0.5 cm thick.
Rinse the wood ear and shiitake mushrooms, then soak them in lukewarm water. Once softened, rinse again thoroughly, remove the stems, and cut into 2-3 cm pieces or long strips as desired.
Cook the Frozen Meat
Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the pot, heat the oil, then add 2/3 of the sliced shallots to fry until fragrant. Add the pork leg and pig ears and stir-fry until the meat is firm. Then add water, covering the meat by about 2 cm.
Initially, use high heat to bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer. During cooking, skim off any foam to keep the broth clear. Cook the meat for about 1 hour.
While waiting for the meat to tenderize, stir-fry the wood ear and shiitake mushrooms. Since these mushrooms tend to absorb salt, stir-fry them separately and add them when the meat is almost done. This is the key to making delicious frozen meat without having to adjust the seasoning too many times.
Heat 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pot, sauté the remaining shallots, then add the wood ear and shiitake mushrooms, stir-frying for about 1 minute before removing from heat and setting aside.
Another tip for making delicious frozen meat that lasts longer without spoiling quickly is to use only a small amount of shiitake mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms have a strong, distinctive aroma that can overpower the delicate sweetness of the meat if used excessively.
Once the meat and pig ears are tender, add the stir-fried wood ear and shiitake mushrooms, and cook for another 10 minutes. Finally, adjust the seasoning to taste, add a bit of fish sauce for extra flavor, and turn off the heat.
Images of frozen meat
How to Enjoy
Turn the frozen meat out of the bowl onto a plate, and serve with pickled vegetables, salted onions, and spicy fish sauce. Frozen meat has a cool and light taste, delicious and rich, but not overwhelming thanks to the crispy pig ears and wood ear mushrooms.
Video
This dish is often made during the winter and around the Lunar New Year. Typically, in the North, frozen meat is cooked with a lighter flavor compared to the Central and Southern regions. However, when cooking, you should adjust the seasoning to suit your family's taste. Good luck with Cookbeo's tips on making frozen meat!
