Why pork ears are useful and how to cook them

Today, the benefits and harms of pig ears cause a lot of controversy among nutritionists. Some consider this offal not worthy of attention in the kitchen and just throw it away. And they would probably be surprised that with skillful processing it is possible to create a culinary masterpiece from it, which in addition will help to make beautiful skin, nails and hair.

What is this delicacy

The whole value of the delicacy is provided by the properties of the elastic cartilage that makes up the auricle in a pig. Due to the interlacing of chondriin and elastic fibers in the cartilage tissue, which form a mesh structure, the cartilage swells during cooking, but does not boil. The surface of the ears is covered with a thin skin made of collagen and elastin. There are fat deposits at the bottom. According to the standard, the product should not include a skin-fatty "septum", but it all depends on individual culinary preferences.

Indeed, in a number of countries, pig ears are not even perceived as a healthy food product, but in the hands of culinary specialists in Germany, Korea or the Philippines, these small parts of slaughter animal carcasses turn into exquisite delicacies. The real pride of the Chinese is crispy pork ears.

The chemical composition and calorie content of pork ears

Many will be surprised to learn about pork ears that they catch up with meat in protein content - 21 g (35% of the average body need) and fat - 14 g (21%). The carbohydrate content is low - only 0.6 g (less than 1%) in 100 g.

Cartilage also consists of water: it is almost 61 g per 100 g of product.

The composition also includes vitamins PP, B12, B3 (PP), B6, as well as salts of iron, selenium, iodine, manganese, copper, zinc, sulfur, magnesium and calcium.

The offal has a fairly high cholesterol value of 82 mg per 100-gram portion - with a daily rate of 250 - 300 mg.

However, those who are used to counting every calorie should not worry: there are only 235 kcal in 100 g of pork ears: this is not the most high-calorie food.

The benefits of pig ears

Some, in pursuit of harmony and proper nutrition, try to exclude pork ears from the diet, in particular, because of the harm of large amounts of cholesterol. But, according to scientists, a lack of protein does much more harm to the body. But in the composition of pig ear cartilage, the proportion of animal protein, which the body needs to build cells, is 38%.

The presence of magnesium also testifies to the benefits of pork ears. Refusing to obtain a useful element from a natural source, a person is forced to replace it with expensive vitamin complexes, because a chronic lack of magnesium tends to accelerate the aging process. As a result, the skin becomes less elastic, the muscles become decrepit, and the structure of the bones changes.

The undoubted benefits of pork ears for joints can be explained by the content of collagen and calcium, which is the basis of cartilage. Moreover, the calcium contained in them is completely absorbed. Collagen is also important for healthy skin, nails and hair growth.

Doctors recommend using pig ears to prevent the development of osteoporosis.

In the nutrition of athletes and those who have a lot of physical activity, it is advisable to use this useful product, which has the property of helping to restore strength.

How to cook pork ears at home

The process of cooking offal is simple, and the variety of recipes is great.

Pig ears should have a uniform color ranging from pale pink to dark. Since the ears of pigs are covered with small hairs of bristles, they should be singed before cooking. Put the scorched product in a deep cup of water and leave to soak for 1 - 2 hours. Then it is necessary to clean it with a knife and thoroughly rinse all the bends under the tap, and at the end with hot water.

How much to cook pork ears

Regardless of how you cook pork ears, you should always boil them first. Moreover, it is better to dip it into boiling salted water with the addition of soy sauce, cloves, cinnamon sticks. You need to cook for 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on the size. Water, as it boils, should be added to the same volume. As a result of long cooking, cartilage tends to soften, their skin becomes tender. Since the ears must remain crisp, it is important not to overcook them. To do this, after an hour of cooking, check from time to time with a fork the degree of their readiness. It is better not to remove the product from the broth until it cools completely.

Korean Pork Ears Recipe

Do not be surprised by the presence of many spices in the recipe. After all, Korean cuisine has spicy properties. However, using this recipe at home, nothing prevents you from adding spices at your discretion.

This recipe will need the following ingredients:

• 2 boiled ears;
• 2 small carrots;
• 1 bell pepper;
• 2 medium onions;
• 4 cloves of garlic;
• celery stalk;
• 2 tbsp. l. soy sauce;
• 3 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
• 1 tsp sesame oil;
• half a pod of hot red pepper;
• cilantro greens;
• on the tip of a knife of ground coriander, salt.

Cooking sequence:

1. Peel and chop the onions with garlic cloves.
2. Peel carrots and bell peppers, then cut them into slices and chop them into thin strips.
3. Peel the celery stalk and cut it into oblique slices.
4. Boiled auricles are cut into thin strips.

1. Put the pan on the fire, pour in a little vegetable oil, pour in the chopped vegetables and lightly fry so that they retain their benefits.
2. During the frying process, add garlic and strips of offal.
3. Mix the contents of the pan, pour soy sauce.
4. Continue frying to evaporate excess liquid.
5. Just before the end of cooking, add salt, ground coriander and sesame oil.
6. The pan is removed from the heat.
7. Transfer the finished delicacy to a plate.
   
8. Sprinkle with cilantro and sesame seeds on top.

Pork ears recipe for beer

For cooking, you will need the following products:

• 2 boiled pork ears;
• 3 cloves of garlic;
• ghee for frying;
• salt and spices.

Cooking method:

1. Cut the ears boiled in advance into thin strips, then fry in lard.
2. Transfer them to a salad bowl.
3. Peel the cloves of garlic and squeeze through a press.
4. Season with garlic gruel and spices.

Breaded lovers can make a crispy bread crust by breeding the strips before frying with breadcrumbs. Fans of oriental cuisine will love the sesame seed breading.

Harm of pork ears and contraindications

Despite the benefits of the gourmet product, you should not give it to young children, so as not to overload their stomach and not provoke allergies. For people with an allergy to pig meat, these by-products are not only unhealthy, but also contraindicated.

Product abuse carries a risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Those who have problems with the gallbladder or liver should also treat this delicacy with extreme caution.

And yet, doctors have been debating for a long time about the benefits or harm of smoked pork ears.In theory, their use should be harmful, but in reality everything is not so simple.

In small quantities, they cannot do harm, but people with a sick stomach are better off giving up smoked and fried ears.

If you do not arrange a "belly feast" and buy fresh pork ears, and from trusted sellers, then you do not have to worry about the harm of the product to the body.

Pig ear storage

Pig ears purchased from the supermarket should be stored in accordance with the shelf life and temperature recommendations on the label.

As for the offal purchased on the market, the shelf life is determined by the place of storage:

• at room temperature, the offal should be stored for no more than 24 hours;
• in a refrigerator compartment at a temperature of 0 ° С - no more than 7 days;
• in the freezer - no more than 2 months.

Conclusion

In general, the benefits and harms of pig ears remain a controversial topic. They are undoubtedly useful because they are a source of animal protein and other essential elements for the body. The harm from their use lies in cholesterol deposited on the walls of blood vessels. And only by adhering to moderation in the use of the product, you can not cross the fine line that exists between the benefits and harm of pig ears.