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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 180 Minutes |
Ready In: 180 Minutes Servings: 8 |
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Pork belly is usually made into bacon, but when rubbed, brined, and braised it becomes absolutely sublime. This certainly isn't something to eat often, but as a special treat it is exceptional. The flavor of the pork is piggy, tender, and moist beyond belief. Ingredients:
1/2 pork belly (approximately 6 lbs) |
rubbing the belly – day one |
1 tablespoon coriander seed |
1 tablespoon fennel seed |
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed |
1 clove |
1 allspice |
1 teaspoon pepper corns |
brining the belly – day two |
2 quarts water |
1 1/2 cups kosher salt |
1/2 cup sugar |
2 bay leaves |
2 quarts ice cold water |
1 large ziploc bag |
braising the belly – day three |
6 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled |
1 large yellow onion, chopped |
1 stalk of celery, chopped |
2 carrots, peeled and chopped |
1 cup white wine |
3 cups chicken stock or water |
Directions:
1. Rubbing the belly – day one
2. Coarsely grind these spices and toast them in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Trim the fat down to about 3/4 inch on the outer layer, if necessary. Score the belly. Rub the spices all over the belly. Let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.
3. Brining the belly – day two
4. Heat 2 quarts of water over medium high heat. Add the sugar, salt, and bay leaves. Stir and heat until the sugar and salt dissolves. Add the remaining 2 quarts of water. Place the rubbed belly into the ziploc, add the brine, seal it and let it rest in the refrigerator.
5. Braising the belly – day three
6. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
7. Remove the belly from the refrigerator, pat it dry, and allow it to come to room temperature. Heat a large, heavy dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the belly on both sides.
8. Add the chopped veg, the wine, and the stock or water. Bring the heat up on this and then cover with a lid and cook in the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the pork is incredibly tender.
9. Remove from the oven, take the pork, move it to another pan, and keep it covered. Remove the visible fat from the remaining pan juices by either skimming it off or pouring it through cheesecloth.
10. Return the juices to the pan, add wine and water or stock if necessary and reduce over medium-high until the consistency meets your needs. Taste for seasoning.
11. Serve the belly portions in a shallow bowl with the pan juices.
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