Crystal Jade Vinegar Pork Trotters

Stewed pork trotters in sweet dark vinegar sauce, originally uploaded by Camemberu.

My first meal outside the culinary prison that is the hospital! I thought I should at least go for a confinement dish, and one such signature dish is stewed pork trotters in dark vinegar sauce. Not too familiar with many places that serve this, but I had it once at Crystal Jade in Parkway Parade, so back there we went. I realise it's no longer on the menu but it may be available if you ask for it (the waitress will check first). The portion (S$5.50) seems to have shrunk but then again maybe the price too.

Unfortunately, these pork trotters were not stewed long enough for my personal liking - they were still a bit tough and chewy. Not to mention bony, with hardly any meat. Lots of ginger pieces and sauce but the flavour is not too overpowering.

Roast pork, originally uploaded by Camemberu.

We also went for some roast pork. Nicely done as usual with crackling skin. Wish the portion was bigger, that's all.

Hong Kong kailan, originally uploaded by Camemberu.

I prefer baby kailan to Hong Kong kailan but sometimes it's good to vary things a little. I'm sure these huge stalks provided much needed fibre!

Plain noodles, dry, originally uploaded by Camemberu.

I'm avoiding prawns where possible since I've just had surgery, so I had my noodles plain and dry (without shrimp wantans/dumplings). Still tasty and only S$2.50!