The Magic Bus Trip

Erasmus · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject: Adventures with Pork Belly

After reading "Slow-Roasted Pork Belly" I became a man with a mission.

So, went to my local pan-Asian market and picked up one fresh side. Problem was I had way too much steak that I didn't want to freeze. I also knew I would be BBQing up few pork butts that had just gone on sale that weekend. So I figured to try to make bacon! Heart

Attempt 1:
Pork belly skin side down hot smoked (180F) with maple wood for 2 hours.
Trim skin off, make dog treats. (too leathery)
Thick slice it.

Result 1:
Nice and smoky.
Pan fries up just like normal except almost no popping and splattering. Gets tough rather than brittle if overcooked.
VERY bland.
If lightly salted before cooking, VERY tasty.

Best application: Lardons! In a more usable no-salt style.

Attempt #2 will involve a brine. Results to follow...

-E

wifezilla · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting the results. I haven't seem any at the stores near me, but I am going to check out a REAL butcher shop next week.
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Dean · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject:

Yah, zilla, I could not find it in a regular supermarket either, but a large meat processor in the city had that and a whole lot more! I even get pork fat, to render down to lard, from them.
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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
- Jimi Hendrix

Every day you'll see the dust
Never get off the Bus!

wifezilla · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject:

I swear...getting pork fat around here is nearly impossible. Only the Safeway sells the fat only...they want $1/lb for it and they are always out!

I may have to make a midwest field trip with a giant cooler full of dry ice and get some of that deer meat and pork fat!
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Erasmus · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:00 am Post subject:

Most markets will special order for you. If Safway won't, others will.
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“Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans ... are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit.” - Anthony Bourdain

Erasmus · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject:

Experiment #2

One fresh side brined in a salt water solution with 1 tbls of maple syrup for 5 days. Rinsed. Then HOT smoked with maple for 3 hours. Rind removed and extra thick sliced.

Results:
Flavor is excellent.
Rind softer than before almost edible.
Good smoke ring to 1/4 inch.
Good maple flavor despite minimal syrup.
A bit too salty. Could be my taste buds going lower salt or just too salty brine or too long a soak.
Still a bit tough. Most likely due to the double cooking (Hot smoke is ~170F, then pan fried like normal)

Plan for Exp #3:
Shorter brine time/less salt
Build a cold smoker and cold smoke for 8 hours -OR-
Hot smoke for 90 minutes.
Slice thinner.
Possibly a dry cure. Maybe both.

Naturally, I'm open to suggestions. Yup

-E
_________________
“Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans ... are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit.” - Anthony Bourdain

Dean · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:36 pm Post subject:

Heather · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject:

Erasmus · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject:

Dean · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:15 am Post subject:

You need to blend those raw eggs with that raw cream. Yup

Eggnog for brekky! Cool

_________________
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
- Jimi Hendrix

Every day you'll see the dust
Never get off the Bus!

jem51 · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject:

you might have better luck finding fresh side at a mexican supermarket.