Chapter 50 Bar-Headed Cake

The pig's head had to be thoroughly washed and first boiled in a large metal barrel to remove the gaminess, and that water had to be discarded, followed by a second wash with hot water.

Eating this thing was just a hassle.

The cow's head had to be prepared separately, it couldn't be put with the pig's head, as they didn't share the same flavor and would mix.

Only once the pig's head was completely clean did the braising begin, using the large metal barrel, adding some pigskin to stew with it. After stewing for an hour, it was left to soak overnight, then taken out, the skin was peeled, bones removed, with the pigskin on the outside, then the meat was layered with alternating strips of lean and fat. A layer of lean meat followed by a layer of fat, all nicely arranged, then wrapped up in the outer pigskin and tightly enveloped in cheesecloth into a brick shape.