Pork Shank
6 February 2009
18,191 views
26 Comments

Ingredient Name: Pork Shank (Fresh)
Traditional Chinese Name: 豬展(zhū zhǎn)
What is this?
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Pork shank or shin is the lower part of the meat around the lower leg of the pig
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The meat in its raw state is tough and lean
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When cooked, it is soft and can become gelatinous
How do I prepare it?
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Simply wash with cool water
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Blanching is required when used in soups
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Use the entire shank as one piece
Where can I buy this?
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You can buy this in any supermarket
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In Asian supermarkets, you can purchase them by weight and request the size of cut you want
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You can purchase the shank with or without the leg bone
What is the cost?
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Pork shank costs around $30 HKD for 200 grams
Any benefits?
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Pork contains many nutrients (including 6 essential vitamins)
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It is a good source of iron, zinc, Vitamin B6 and protein
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It is said to be a healthier red meat substitute over beef
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This cut is lean and relatively fat free
Any precautions?
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Pork must be cooked thoroughly before consumption as there is still a potential risk of salmonella
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Consumption of meat must be done in moderation
Additional Information?
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Pork shanks can be kept frozen for up to 3 months
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Fresh pork shanks should be consumed within 4 days
References:










[...] g of fresh pork shank 3-4 snow pears 1/2 watermelon 2-3 large dried dates 3-4 L of water 1 teaspoon of salt (to marinate [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 3-4 fresh chayotes 2 large carrots 2-3 fresh corn 2-3 L of water 1 teaspoon of salt (to marinate [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork bones or fresh pork shank (any pork will do) 10-15 red dates 4-5 dried scallops (conpoys) 10 flakes of dried seabed coconut [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 10 red dates 2 big fish tails 3 slices of fresh ginger 1 young coconut 2-3 L of water 1 teaspoon of [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 1 large fresh papaya 1 foot of fresh chinese yam 2 fresh corn 2-3 L of water 1 teaspoon of salt (to [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 2-3 fresh chayotes 5-6 fresh seabed coconuts (or Coco de Mer) 10 dragon’s tongue leaves 2-3 [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 1/2 – 1 fresh Japanese pumpkin 10 – 15 fresh chestnuts (optional, especially for very young [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 3 large Chinese radishes 3 large carrots 4-5 large dried dates 1 tsp of salt to marinate your [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 1 large unripe papaya (ripe is also suitable) 4 medium-sized fuji apples 20-30 apricot kernals 2-3 [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 1 tablespoon of apricot kernals 4-5 large dried dates 2-3 bunches of fresh watercress 20 fresh [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 1 dried luo han guo 1 tablespoon of apricot kernals 3 large dried dates 2 litres of water 1 [...]
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 3 large carrots 4-5 large dried dates 8 water chestnuts 2 fresh corn 80g of raw and ripe barley [...]
[...] dried lotus seeds 1 tablespoon of fox seeds 4-5 pieces of snow fungus (optional) 1 pound of fresh pork shank (optional) 2-3 fresh fuzzy melons (optional) 2-3 L of [...]
A few workers in our area got Salmonella poisoning. It is a good thing that they did not die and they have fully recovered. “
Hi,
I love your website and the photos of the yummy soups. I have a quick question. Why do you marinate the pork with salt for an hour before blanching? What does salt do to the pork?
Thanks!
Lisa
Hi Lisa, according to the Chinese, by marinating the pork in salt you release the “Fire” in the bones. This is particularly applicable to pork bones (rather than pork shank). It’s actually something that I learned from my mom and mother-in-law. However for me, I find that the marinating gives the meat flavor and after you blanch it, most of the salt goes away and you don’t have to use salt to further flavor your soup. Hope this helps!
Lisa
[...] pound of fresh pork shank 4-5 large dried dates 5-6 slices of dried red lingzhi 5 pieces of dried hawthorn 1 palm solomon’s [...]
[...] whole fresh soft shell turtle 1 pound of fresh pork shank 15 dried longans 6 slices of dried Chinese yam 3 slices of ginger 8 dried dates (for sweetness. [...]
[...] 1 pound fresh pork shank [...]
[...] fresh whole chicken, prepared and quartered 1 pound of fresh pork shank (or any other pork parts for soups is suitable) 6-7 fresh small abalones (or dried) 5-6 dried [...]
Hi,
I notice you use pork for most of your soups. Can I substitute with chicken bone instead?
Thanks,
Nelly
Dear Nelly,
Yes, lots of Chinese soups use pork (and even when it’s Chicken soup, they still add pork!). It really has to do with the history of the country where pork is in abundance. You can absolutely also substitute chicken, chicken bones, chicken feet. Hope this helps and thanks for your interest and support! Lisa
[...] g of pork shank 10 g of dried Astragalus Root 15 g of dried Codonopsis Pilosula Root 20 g of dried Chinese Yam 20 g [...]
[...] g of pork shank 1 large fresh bitter melon, seeded and sliced 100 g of preserved/salted mustard greens, largely [...]
[...] half of a turkey carcass (bones) 2 cups of turkey meat 10 dried scallops (conpoys) 2 cups of long, grained rice 18 cups of water [...]
[...] whole roasted piglet head (or other parts, but the head is the least fatty), quartered 20 fresh chestnuts, peeled 4-5 dried scallops (conpoys) 1-2 bunches of fresh [...]
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