Pork Belly Nigiri Food

SPICY KOREAN PORK BELLY (JEYUK BOKKEUM)

Steps:

• Marinade: The day before cooking, slice pork belly into bite-size pieces: 2-inch squares, ¼-inch thin. (Note: Cut the pieces thinner than shown in the video.) Set aside. Smash and peel the garlic, then finely chop. Use the flat part of your knife to press down on the garlic to further break it down, then continue to mince. Place in a mixing bowl along with the pork, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and gochujang. Mix the ingredients together and set aside.
• Peel and trim the onion, then slice in half. Cut each half into thin half-moon slices. Place the sliced onions on top of the pork mixture, but do not mix. Cover the bowl with plastic and marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
• Garnish: Prior to cooking, trim and discard scallion roots. Fill a bowl with water. Line up scallions in a flat, even layer and use a sharp knife to cut them thinly, employing a slicing motion, not a chopping motion. (Slicing with minimal pressure will keep the scallions bright and vibrant.) Place sliced scallions in water and move around to remove impurities. Drain in a colander, then wrap in a clean towel and squeeze out remaining liquid. Spread scallions on a paper towel-lined plate to further dry while cooking the pork.
• Pork: Remove marinated pork from refrigerator and mix in the onions. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, 1 minute. Add ½ tablespoon oil and continue heating, 30 seconds. Add some of the pork and onion mixture in an even layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Lower heat to medium and let the pork cook undisturbed until caramelized on one side, shaking the pan occasionally, 4-5 minutes. Flip meat over and cook the other side, 3-4 more minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining pork in batches. Garnish with scallions and serve with white rice.

PORK BELLY

Steps:

• Combine the salt and sugar and completely cover the pork belly with the mixture. Refrigerate for 20 to 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Rinse the salt and sugar off the pork and transfer to a large pan. Add the carrots, celery, onions and garlic and cover with water. Cover the pan with foil or a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the oven until the pork is very tender, 13 to 15 hours.
• Gently remove the pork, place in between 2 pans and refrigerate for 12 hours.
• Cut the pork into 6-ounce portions and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a saute pan and saute the pork skin-side down until crisp and hot.

PORK BELLY SISIG

Steps:

• Add the pork belly, star anise, bay leaves, 2-inch pieces of scallion, garlic halves, ginger, lemongrass, peppercorns and 2 tablespoons salt to a large pot. Cover with about 3 quarts of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the pork is tender, about 1 hour. Let cool in the liquid to room temperature. This allows the pork to stay moist and absorb more flavor. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and pat dry.
• Set a grill for indirect cooking and heat to medium-high, about 400 degrees F. Place the pork skin-side down over the indirect heat portion of the grill. Close the lid and cook, until some of the fat is rendered and the skin is starting to crisp, about 20 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• Move the pork to the direct heat portion of the grill. Continue to cook until slightly charred and the skin is crisp, moving the pork when flare-ups occur, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Skewer the chicken livers if using. Lightly brush with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the pork from the grill and let cool. Place the livers on the direct heat portion of the grill and cook, turning every 2 to 3 minutes. Cook until firm and well done, about 12 minutes.
• Cut the pork into 1/4-inch cubes and set aside. Finely chop the chicken livers and set aside.
• Combine the calamansi juice, liquid aminos and soy sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
• Preheat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and pork and cook, continuously stirring and scraping any bits that stick to the pan as the pork begins to crisp, about 10 minutes. Be careful of any fat that splatters from the pan. Discard all but about 3 tablespoons from the skillet. Add the chopped livers, onions and minced garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are slightly crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the calamansi mixture and cook until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the Thai chiles and scallions. Serve over jasmine rice.