Brined and Roasted Pork Belly

Reprinted from THE ESSENTIAL NEW YORK TIMES COOKBOOK: Classic Recipes for a New Century by Amanda Hesser. Used with permission of publisher, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

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Pork

Main Course

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups extra-fine sugar		3 bay leaves
2 1/2 cups coarse sea salt, plus more for seasoning		4 quarts plus 1 cup water
12 juniper berries		2 1/2 pounds bone-in pork belly with skin
12 whole cloves		2 onions, chopped
12 black peppercorns		Olive oil

directions

Total:

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1
Combine the sugar, salt, spices, and bay leaves in a large pot. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cool completely.
2
Transfer the brine to a large bowl and add the pork. Let stand, loosely covered, for 3 days in the refrigerator.
3
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the onions in a roasting pan. Rinse the pork and score the skin with a sharp knife. Place skin side up on the onions, rub the skin with a bit of olive oil, and season lightly with sea salt. Roast, uncovered, 1 1/2 to 2 hours; do not let the pork skin burn. The skin should be crisp; if not, transfer the pork to a hot broiler.
4
Cut the pork into thick slices, and serve with the onions.

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Brined and Roasted Pork Belly

Ingredients

directions