Michael Symon Pork Belly Food

PORCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the pancetta in a food processor and pulse until it forms a paste. Add the garlic, lemon zest, orange zest, rosemary, parsley, brown sugar, chile flakes, capers and pinch of salt and thoroughly mix with the pancetta.
• Put the pork belly skin side down on a cutting board; arrange the pork loin in the center. Roll the belly around the loin so the short ends of the belly meet. If any of the belly or loin overhangs, trim the meat. Unroll, then set the loin aside.
• Pierce the skin side of the belly all over with a knife (or cross hatch score with a knife) so the fat will render during cooking.
• Sprinkle both the belly and loin with salt and pepper on both sides. Score the flesh side of the pork belly with a knife, and then rub the pancetta paste into it. Add the pork loin back in the center then roll up and tie. Put it into a roasting pan with a rack.
• Sprinkle the pork belly skin lightly with salt. Put in the oven and roast for 2 hours. Turn the heat up to 400 degrees F and bake until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F, another 1 1/2 hours.
• Let the porchetta rest for 15 to 20 minutes, then slice and serve. Drizzle with olive oil and add some fresh black pepper on top if desired.

HOMEMADE BACON

Steps:

• Rinse the pork belly and pat dry. Transfer to a resealable 2-gallon plastic bag. To make the spice rub, mix the kosher salt, pink salt, brown sugar, honey, red pepper flakes, paprika and cumin in a bowl. Coat the pork belly all over with the mixture.
• Close the bag and refrigerate 7 to 10 days, flipping once a day, until the pork belly feels firm. It should take 7 days for a thin belly that is about 11/2 inches thick, longer for a belly that's 2 to 3 inches thick.
• Remove the pork belly from the bag, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Refrigerate the belly on a rack, uncovered, 48 hours.
• Set up your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions using applewood chips, and set to 200 degrees F. Smoke the pork belly 3 hours, or until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F.
• Remove the rind (optional), then slice and cook as desired. To store, wrap the bacon in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months.
• Pink curing salt is a mix of salt and sodium nitrite. It keeps the meat pink and protects it from bacteria. You can find it at specialty food stores or online.