Pigs Foot Au Pied Du Cochon Food

COCHON DE LAIT

Steps:

• Cochon de lait is the art of cooking a pig before an open hardwood fire. Although the term cochon de lait is French, the origin of this Louisiana social event is obscure. It is know that the custom began at least a century ago and has since been popular throughout Cajun country. It is possible that the Germans who settled in St. James Parish in 1690 were the first to introduce the cochon de lait. These settlers brought pigs to the area and were skilled butchers. Local legend, however, tells that veterans of Napoleon's army brought the traditional preparation of cochon de lait to Louisiana in the early 1800s. Many of these soldiers settled in a town in Avoylles Parish they named Manusra in honor of the site of their last major campaign. Since then, Mansura, LA has been designated by the Louisiana legislature as "La Capital du Cochon de Lait."
• Normally, families cooked pigs in cochon de lait style as the centerpiece for holiday gatherings. The pig, usually weighing less than 30 pounds, was sometimes cooked hanging from the fireplace in the kitchen. The most common method was to cook the pig outdoors over a pecan wood and sugarcane fire. The basic process of the cochon de lait has remained the same over the years. Today, much larger pigs are cooked to feed groups of people. Pigs up to 200 pounds are regarded as excellent for open-fire cooking.
• When preparing a cochon de lait, season the pig well inside and out with salt, cracked black pepper, and granulated garlic. Inject the front and rear hams and tenderloin with an infused liquid made with 2 cups melted butter, 1 cup white wine, 3/4 cup Louisiana hot sauce and 1/2 cup granulated garlic. Using a meat saw, cut through the backbone at the neck and tail and lay the pig open flat. Wrap the pig in wire mesh that has been washed and cleaned thoroughly and then secure it with wire to hold it in proper form during the long cooking process. The pig should then be slowly rotated in front of a hardwood fire built 3 to 4 feet away from the pig. The fire, constantly maintained, cooks a 50-pound pig in 6 hours. Estimate 1 hour of cooking time for every 10 pounds, but keep in mind that not all pigs will cook at the same rate. After each hour of cooking, flip the pig head side down to ensure even cooking.

FRENCH CANADIAN "RAGOûT DE PATTES DE COCHON" (STEWED PIG'S FEET) RECIPE

Steps:

• Take the pork's feet and cut the skin from top to bottom with a kitchen scissor. Remove the meat from the feet with a knife and put in a medium bowl.
• Add salt, cinnamon, ground cloves and nutmeg, and mix.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat add oil. When oil is hot, add pork feet mixture, and cook until they meat is a dark brown colour.
• In a skillet at medium heat, add 1 tbs of vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add 1 cup of onions and cook until they are grilled- slightly brown.
• When the meat is nicely grilled, add the lukewarm water and roasted onions.
• Cover and let cook at low for about 2 hours.
• In a jar (Mason), add 1 cup of water and the browned flour. Close lid and shake until it's mixed.
• Pour in the stew, stir regularly until the gravy has thicken (15 -30 minutes). If you find the gravy is not thick enough, add 4 more tablespoon of brown flour with 1/2 cup of warm water. Repeat as necessary.

OAXACAN PICKLED PIGS' FEET

Steps:

• Place the pigs' feet, water, 3 cups of the red wine vinegar, the black peppercorns, bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of the salt and the dried thyme in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the skin starts to pull away from the bones and the meat slips off easily when pierced with a fork, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Set aside to cool completely, then refrigerate 1 hour.
• Remove and discard the outer layer of skin and fat from the pigs' feet and discard the bones. Slice the meat and soft cartilage into 1 x 1/8-inch thick strips.
• Place the meat, carrot and all the peppers in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, the remaining 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, the 3/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper and toss well to combine. Cover and chill 2 to 4 hours. Serve cold on lettuce-lined plates.