Pork Belly Guanciale Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S CARAMEL PORK BELLY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
• Lay a large sheet of aluminum foil on a flat work surface. Lay 1/2 the green parts of the green onions down in the center of the foil. Place pork belly, fattiest-side down, on top of the green onions and top pork belly with remaining 1/2 the green parts of the green onions; sprinkle with salt. Fold aluminum foil tightly around pork and green onions. Wrap pork belly again in another sheet of aluminum foil. Place wrapped pork, seam-side up, in a loaf pan.
• Cook pork belly in preheated oven for 5 1/2 hours. Turn off the oven heat and let cool in the oven for 2 hours. Remove from oven and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove pork from foil and discard green onions. Cut pork into 8 pieces.
• Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp all over, 2 to 4 minutes per side.
• Whisk brown sugar, rice vinegar, fish sauce, ginger juice, and soy sauce together in a bowl.
• Remove most of the fat from the skillet and discard. Add 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar glaze and increase heat to medium-high. Cook until pork is glazed on all sides and pieces are caramelized, about 10 minutes. Make a well in the center of the skillet and add chopped white parts of the green onion, garlic, and peppers. Saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Pour water and remaining brown sugar glaze into skillet; simmer until sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes.

PORK BELLY GUANCIALE

Steps:

• In a large nonmetallic container, combine salt, fennel seeds, pepper flakes, peppercorns, juniper, garlic, thyme and curing salt (if using). Mix.
• Add pork belly to container, and rub thoroughly with salt mixture. Cover and refrigerate until pork loses about a third of its weight, 3 to 5 days. Remove from salt, wrap in parchment or wax paper and refrigerate until needed. Slice off a piece, rinse well and pat dry before cooking.

SPAGHETTI ALL'AMATRICIANA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook guanciale over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally, 5-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels. Add carrots, onion and butter to pan drippings; cook until vegetables are tender, 5-7 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add half the garlic, rosemary and sage sprigs; cook until fragrant, 2 minutes., Stir in wine; cook until reduced, 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer partially covered until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally, 30-40 minutes., Remove and discard rosemary and sage sprigs; cool sauce slightly. In batches, add sauce to blender. Cover and process until desired consistency. Return sauce to pan. Stir in half of reserved guanciale, remaining garlic, salt and pepper. Add olive oil and red pepper flakes. Set aside; keep warm., In a large saucepan cook spaghetti according to package directions for al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Add drained spaghetti to pan with sauce; toss to combine. Add enough reserved pasta water for sauce to reach desired consistency. Garnish with remaining guanciale. If desired, sprinkle with cheese and fresh basil leaves.