Pork Belly Sisig

INGREDIENTS

MARINADE

• Juice of 1 orange
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 fresh lemongrass stalk, tender inner white bulb only, minced
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 1 tablespoon Chinese chili paste
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

PORK BELLY

• 2 pounds meaty pork belly in one piece, scored in a crosshatch pattern
• 2 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 celery ribs, cut into chunks
• 1 large leek, white and pale green part only, thickly sliced
• 1 small bunch of cilantro
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 strip of orange zest
• 1 quart pineapple juice
• Kosher salt

SISIG

• 2 cups chopped celery leaves
• 1 ½ cups finely chopped shallots
• 1 cup thinly sliced scallion greens
• ½ cup sherry vinegar
• ¼ cup calamansi, yuzu or fresh lemon juice (see Note)
• ¼ cup minced cilantro
• 3 serrano chiles, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

In a medium bowl, combine the orange juice with the garlic, ginger, lemongrass, oil, chili paste, salt, pepper and five-spice powder.

Add the pork belly to the marinade and turn to coat. Transfer the pork and marinade to a sturdy resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning it once or twice.

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small roasting pan, spread the carrots, celery, leek, cilantro, bay leaves and orange zest in a single layer. Remove the pork belly from the marinade and set it on the vegetables. Pour the pineapple juice over the pork, cover the pan tightly with foil and braise in the oven for about 3 hours, or until the pork is very tender. Remove from the oven, uncover and let rest for 1 hour. Discard the vegetables or reserve for another use.

Increase the oven temperature to 450°. Transfer the pork belly to a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, fat side up. Season it generously with salt. Roast in the upper third of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned and crisp. Remove the pan from the oven and let rest for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the celery leaves with the shallots, scallions, vinegar, calamansi juice, cilantro, chiles, garlic, 1 ½ teaspoons of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper and toss well. Let marinate at room temperature for at least 1 hour.

Using a cleaver or other heavy knife, finely chop the pork. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat until very hot. Add the chopped pork in a single layer and cook until crisp and brown on the bottom, then stir once and cook, without stirring, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes total. Stir the pork into the <em>sisig</em> mixture and season with salt. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.

MAKE AHEAD

The pork belly can be braised up to 4 days ahead and refrigerated.

NOTES

Calamansi and yuzu juices are available frozen at Asian markets.

from An Adventure with Food http://adenoffood.tumblr.com/post/158743355840
via ADENOFFOOD
from Tumblr http://0foodphotography.tumblr.com/post/158743428222
via IFTTT