how to cook pigs feet in the oven

How to Cook Pigs Feet in the Oven

Introduction

Pig’s feet are a delicacy that has been enjoyed for centuries. They are often prepared using traditional methods such as boiling or pickling. However, today we will explore a newer way of cooking pig’s feet – in the oven. In this article, we will explore how to buy and prepare pigs feet, choose a cooking method, provide recipes for roasting and braising pigs’ feet, suggest side dishes that complement them, talk about their health benefits and answer frequently asked questions.

Buying and Preparing Pig’s Feet

Before you start cooking pigs’ feet, it is essential to buy fresh high-quality ones. You can purchase them at your local butcher or grocery store. Some stores may also offer online buying options with home delivery.

Once you have bought the pig’s feet, the next step is to clean and trim them before cooking. Take note that pig’s feet often come with fur, toenails and residual dirt on them.

Clean the pig’s feet by soaking them in water for about 30 minutes to an hour, which will soften the skin and facilitate easier removal of any unwanted debris. Once washed, use a sharp knife to scrape off the outer layer of skin and excess fat.

Choose a Cooking Method

You can choose to roast or braise your pig’s feet depending on your preference.

Roasting Pig’s Feet in The Oven

Roasting pig’s feet gives them a crispy exterior with juicy meat on the inside.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 4-6 pig’s feet
  • 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Dried thyme or rosemary (optional)

Cooking Directions Step-by-Step:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Rub your seasoning mix all over the pig’s feet, including inside the crevices and gently massage it in.
  3. Grease a baking sheet with oil and place the pig’s feet on it.
  4. Drizzle some vegetable oil over the pigs’ feet and roast them for 1 hour or until they are crispy brown.

Tips for ensuring success:

  • Pat dry the pig’s feet before applying seasoning to avoid dilution.
  • For better results, score the pig’s feet before seasoning to help them cook faster.
  • Ensure oven temperatures are correct to prevent undercooking or burning.

Braising Pig’s Feet in The Oven

Braising is an excellent way of cooking pig’s feet because it slowly tenderizes the meat, making it more flavorful.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 4-6 pig’s feet
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 3 cups of broth or water
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 2-3 chopped garlic cloves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Directions Step by Step:

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
  2. Wash and dry pig’s feet, then season with salt and black pepper.
  3. In a hot pan, add the oil, onions, and garlic cloves, then cook until fragrant.
  4. Add the pig’s feet to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side or until browned evenly.
  5. In an oven-safe dish, add the broth or water and transfer pig’s feet into it.
  6. Cover the pan with foil and cook in the oven for 4-5 hours on low heat setting or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone easily.

Tips for ensuring success:

  • Cook slowly at low temperatures to ensure tenderness.
  • Always cover with foil to avoid loss of moisture during cooking.
  • Use broth instead of water to add extra flavor to your braise.

Recipes: Roasted Pig’s Feet in The Oven

Here are two roasted pig’s feet recipes you can try:

Classic Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 pig’s feet
  • 2 tablespoons salt

  • 1 tablespoon black pepper

  • Dried thyme or rosemary to taste (Optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Rinse your pigs’ feet and dry thoroughly using paper towels.
  3. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together to form a seasoning blend.
  4. Rub the seasoning mixture on both sides of the pig’s feet, including in and around the crevices.
  5. Place pigs’ feet on a greased baking sheet, then put them in the oven and let cook for 1 hour until golden brown.
  6. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or thyme.

Modern Twist Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 pig’s feet
  • 2 tablespoons salt

  • 1 tablespoon black pepper

  • 2 minced garlic cloves

  • 1 minced onion

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • Tsp paprika (Optional)

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix together all the seasoning ingredients except oil to form a spice blend, add salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Rub this spice blend all over pigs’ feet and inside the crevices firmly to absorb the flavors.

  3. In an oven-safe pan, heat up your oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic to the hot pan and cook until fragrant.
  4. Add your seasoned pigs’ feet to the hot pan, turning frequently to brown both sides evenly.
  5. Transfer your pan into the oven at 375°F and roast for 1 hour until crispy brown. Remove from oven, let cool and Serve!

Serving suggestions:

  • Garnish with fresh chives or coriander.
  • Pair with warm buttered bread and salad.

Recipes: Braised Pigs Feet in The Oven

Here are two braised pig’s feet recipes you can try:

Traditional Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 pig’s feet
  • 2 tablespoons salt

  • 1 tablespoon black pepper

  • 3 cups of broth or water

  • 1 whole sliced onion

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced or crushed

Directions:

  1. Rinse pigs’ feet with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

  2. Mix spices and rub them on the pigs’ feet and in the crevices to evenly distribute the flavors.

  3. In a large saucepan, heat-up your oil, add the onions, garlic, and seasonings; stir frequently until fragrant.
  4. Add the pig’s feet into this mixture and sauté to brown thoroughly — 8-10 minutes per side.
  5. Cover the pig’s feet completely with broth or water.
  6. Cover the pot with foil paper, place it in the oven and let cook on low heat for about 4 hours or until tender.Take out from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve!

    7. Serving Suggestions:

    • Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
    • Serve alongside steamed vegetables and mashed potato.

    Spicy Recipe:

    Ingredients:

    • 4-6 pig’s feet
    • 2 chopped Scotch Bonnet peppers

    • 1 tablespoon black pepper

    • 1 can of diced tomatoes

    • 3 cups of broth or water

    • 1 whole sliced onion

    • 5 cloves garlic, minced or crushed

    Directions:

    1. Rinse the pigs’ feet thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel.

    2. Add salt, black pepper, and scotch Bonnet pepper in a bowl to make a seasoning blend. Rub on the pigs’ feet generously to ensure that they absorb these flavors.

    3. Pour oil into an oven-safe pan over medium heat, add onions, garlic, and sauté until golden.
    4. Add diced tomatoes sauce to the pan, cover the pan with foil, and cook for 15 minutes.

    5. Add your seasoned pigs feet to the pan with broth or water. Bring them to boil over high heat. Cover with foil again and allow it to cook for 4-5 hours on low heat or until tender.
    6. Serve with your preferred matching side dish. Bon appetite!

      7. Serving Suggestions:

      • Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions.
      • Serve alongside rice pilaf.

      Side Dishes That Compliment Pig’s Feet in The Oven

      Pig’s feet pair well with traditional side dishes such as mashed potatoes and greens. Here are a few more side dish suggestions:

      Creamy Mashed Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese and Chives

      Ingredients:

      • 2-3 lbs. of potatoes
      • 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

      • 2-3 diced scallion

      • Salt and pepper to taste

      Directions:

      1. Peel and salt potatoes, then cook in boiling water for about 15 minutes.
      2. Drain your potatoes and mash them with unsalted butter.

      3. Add sour cream, parmesan cheese, scallion, salt and ground black pepper to taste and stir well.
      4. Serve alongside roasted pig’s feet and your preferred vegetables!

      Crispy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

      Ingredients:

      • 1 pound elbow macaroni
      • 1/4 cup of butter

      • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

      • 1 teaspoon of salt

      • A half-cup of milk

      • A quarter-cup all-purpose flour

      Directions:

      1. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions.
      2. Melt your butter in a saucepan over medium heat before adding garlic powder, flour, milk, salt and blending until smooth.

      3. Add the macaroni to the mix. Spoon into a baking dish greased with oiled baking spray.

      4. In oven at preheated 375°F.

      5. Bake for about ~20 minutes or until golden-brown.
      6. Serve with your favorite greens side dishes. Enjoy!

      Buttered Corn on the Cob With Bacon Bits

      Ingredients:

      • 4-6 ears of corn
      • 1/4 cup of butter, melted

      • 2 strips of diced cooked bacon

      • A teaspoon of salt

      Directions:

      1. Peel the corn and steam it for 3 to 5 minutes.
      2. Melt your butter and mix in diced bacon.

      3. Dip each ear of corn into the butter mixture.

      4. Serve alongside roasted pig’s feet and enjoy!

      Health Benefits of Eating Pig’s Feet

      While pig’s feet are not always the first choice for meat, they do provide some health benefits. Here are a few examples:

      High in Collagen:

      Pig’s feet contain a lot of collagen, which is excellent for improving joint health.

      Rich Source of Essential Minerals:

      Pig’s feet are also a rich source of essential minerals such as copper, zinc, and iron that play vital roles in the body.

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

      How do I store pig’s feet?

      Store your pig’s feet in an airtight container in the refrigerator after cooking. It will last for about three days.

      Can you cook pigs’ feet in a slow cooker?

      Yes, you can! Use the braised recipe highlighted earlier to prepare it using a slow cooker.

      Conclusion

      Cooking pig’s feet at home in the oven is easy and enjoyable. The recipes we have provided offer diverse flavor options that cater to specific tastebuds. Pig’s feet have amazing health benefits such as aiding joint health and supplying minerals that boost your overall well-being. We hope this article helps you to gain the confidence you need to enjoy the flavors of pig’s feet in the oven.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      #### Can I bake pig feet instead of boiling them?

      Yes, absolutely! Baking is a great alternative to boiling and results in tender, flavorful pig feet with a crispy exterior.

      #### How long does it take to cook pig feet in the oven?

      It typically takes about 3-4 hours to cook pig feet in the oven, but this can vary depending on the size and quantity of the pig feet being cooked.

      #### Do I have to season the pig feet before baking them?

      While it’s not required, seasoning your pig feet before baking them will help enhance their flavor. You can use your favorite spices or seasonings, or try one of our recommended recipes for delicious results.

      #### Can I store leftover pig feet in the refrigerator?

      Absolutely! Store leftover pig feet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

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