Are you looking for a delicious and hearty meal? Look no further than eisbein, also known as pork knuckle or ham hock. Cooking eisbein can be intimidating, but with the right techniques, it can be a tender and tasty treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 pork hock
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 cups water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Step 2: Prepare the eisbein
Wash your eisbein and pat it dry with a paper towel. Score the skin with a sharp knife in a criss-cross pattern. This will help the skin to crisp up while cooking.
Step 3: Season the eisbein
Rub the eisbein with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together caraway seeds, dried thyme, and paprika. Sprinkle this mixture over the eisbein and rub it in gently with your hands.
Step 4: Prepare the cooking liquid
In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, combine sliced onions, minced garlic, bay leaves, and water. Place the seasoned eisbein on top of the vegetables.
Step 5: Cook the eisbein in the oven
Cover the baking dish or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for about 3 hours, or until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Step 6: Crisp the skin
If you want crispy skin, remove the foil or lid from the baking dish or Dutch oven and set the oven to broil. Broil the eisbein for 5-10 minutes or until the skin is crisp and golden brown. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy!
Remove the eisbein from the baking dish or Dutch oven and let it rest for a few minutes before carving. Serve with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes and sauerkraut.
And there you have it - a delicious and flavorful eisbein that will impress your friends and family. Don't be intimidated by cooking eisbein in the oven - just follow these simple steps and you'll have a delectable meal in no time.
