Pork Tail Aspic
Description
A tasty appetizer for any gathering. Pig tails contain enough gelling substances on their own, but if you like, you can add gelatin for a firmer set, following the package instructions. The tails are very fatty, so I add homemade chicken, which also needs a fairly long simmer. Do not leave the herbs and onion in the pot for more than an hour—they will have given up all their flavor by then and will turn to mush. If you like, during the main simmer you can add whole allspice berries and a peeled carrot to the pot.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare all necessary ingredients for making pork tail aspic.
- 2
Step 2
Thoroughly scrape the pig tails, removing any charred spots and remaining bristles, and rinse them. Place them in a deep pot, add half a chicken, and cover with cold water. Let stand like this for 2 hours. This is necessary to remove the blood so the aspic is not too cloudy.
- 3
Step 3
Pour out the water in which the meat and chicken were soaked, and rinse. Pour in water, set over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, drain the first broth, and rinse everything. Cover with cold water so that it covers the tails and the chicken, add herbs and a washed whole onion in its skin, and black peppercorns.
- 4
Step 4
Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to minimum and simmer for one hour. Remove the herbs and onion, and add salt. Continue simmering on minimum heat for 5 more hours. Remove from the heat and cool until warm.
- 5
Step 5
Now we'll also need garlic and salt, in case you didn't add enough salt.
- 6
Step 6
Remove the tails and chicken from the pot and separate the meat from the bones.
- 7
Step 7
Strain the broth through a fine sieve or several layers of cheesecloth.
- 8
Step 8
Cut the cooled meat into small pieces. Combine the meat with the broth, stir, and bring to a boil. Season with salt to taste if needed.
- 9
Step 9
Mince the garlic finely, add it to the hot aspic, and stir.
- 10
Step 10
Pour the aspic into bowls and let cool.
- 11
Step 11
Place in a cold place until set. This will take several hours.
- 12
Step 12
The appetizer is ready. Serve at the table.