Note: Even if you don't top them with pork belly, these are tasty to keep on hand for entertaining. The dough can be made in advance and frozen.
Adapted from Gourmet magazine
Per cracker: 98 calories, 3 grams protein, 8 grams fat, 4 grams saturated fat, 4 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 24 milligrams cholesterol, 159 milligrams sodium
Crisp Pork Belly on Cheddar Crackers
Makes 8 to 10 servings
4 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves
2 to 3 pounds fresh pork belly
1 onion, peeled and sliced
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
about 3 to 4 cups apple juice or fresh apple cider
1 to 2 cups chicken stock or water
strawberry jam
cheddar-mustard crackers (see recipe)
Mix the salt, sugar, pepper, gingerroot, garlic, rosemary, thyme and sage. Rub all over the pork belly, coating it well. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 3 days.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Unwrap the pork and rinse off the seasoning mix, then dry with paper towels.
Place the sliced onion, carrot and celery in a roasting pan large enough to hold the pork. Add enough apple juice or cider to come halfway up the pork. Add enough stock or water to come 3/4 of the way up the meat. Cover the meat with parchment paper, then cover the pan tightly with heavy-duty foil and a lid.
Place in the oven and cook about 6 hours, or until very tender. Line a jellyroll pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper. Carefully remove the pork belly from the cooking liquid, lifting from the bottom with a couple of spatulas so it doesn't fall apart. Place it on the paper-lined pan and place another sheet of parchment on top. Place another pan on top, then weigh it down with several pounds (such as heavy cans).
Refrigerate overnight. (The cooking liquid can be strained and used for another recipe, such as soup.) Remove from the refrigerator, remove weights and peel off the paper. (Can be made to this point up to 4 days ahead. Refrigerate until ready to serve.)
Slice the firm pork belly into 1-by-2-inch cubes. Place in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear, turning carefully with tongs, until browned and crisped on all sides. Serve on a cheddar cracker with a dab of jam.
From Joseph Bonaparte of the Art Institute of Charlotte, N.C.
Per serving (pork belly only, based on 10 servings): 480 calories, 9 grams protein, 48 grams fat, 18 grams saturated fat, 2 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 65 milligrams cholesterol, 497 milligrams sodium
