Bourbon Glazed Pork Belly Chunks Recipes

BOURBON-GLAZED PORK BELLY OVER BLACK-EYED PEA CAKES WITH COLLARDS

Steps:

• For the collards: Add the pork belly and onions to a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to become translucent, 5 minutes. Add the collards, chicken stock, sugar, chile flakes, cider vinegar, hot sauce, garlic powder and onion powder. Bring to a simmer and cook until the greens are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• For the bourbon bacon: Cook the pork belly in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, stirring occasionally. Drain on paper towels. To the skillet, carefully add the bourbon (it may flame) and butter. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the brown sugar. Cook until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat and add the crispy pork belly.
• For the pea cakes: Add the black-eyed peas to a food processor; process until semi-smooth. Transfer to a bowl, add the bacon, red peppers and flour, and blend well. Form the mixture into 4 cakes.
• Heat the butter and olive oil in a large nonstick skillet until smoking hot. Add the pea cakes and cook until browned on both sides.
• Divide the collards along with some of their cooking liquor among 4 bowls. Top with the pea cakes. Spoon the bourbon bacon over the top and serve immediately.

BOURBON-GLAZED PORK BELLY CHUNKS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Pour 100ml of the bourbon into a small, shallow roasting tin and add the star anise. Season the pork belly, put in the tin and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 3 hrs. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for at least 1 hr. You can chill the pork for up to 2 days at this stage.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Remove the pork from the tin. Using a small, sharp knife, pare away the rind from the meat, leaving a small layer of fat. Cut the meat into 2cm chunks and return to the tin. Roast for 20 mins until crisp and sizzling, turning regularly.
• Meanwhile, tip the ketchup, soy sauce, honey and remaining bourbon into a small pan. Set over a high heat and bubble for 5 mins until thick and syrupy. Pour over the chunks of pork and toss to coat. Roast for 10 mins more until sticky.
• Snip the chives into the sour cream, if you like, and serve alongside the pork chunks with cocktail sticks.

BAKED PORK CHOPS WITH BOURBON GLAZE

Steps:

• Combine all brine ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag (I used a gallon size), or large airtight container. Whisk until combined well. Add pork chops to brine, seal bag or container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
• When using a bag, I like to place the bag inside a baking dish, so in case the bag leaks, you won't have a giant mess in your refrigerator, it'll be contained in the dish.
• Add all bourbon glaze ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over MED heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce heat to LOW and simmer for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Mix slurry ingredients (cornstarch and water) in a small bowl, then add to bourbon glaze and cook another 1-2 minutes, until thickened.
• Preheat oven to 375 F degrees. Remove pork from brine, rinse with cold water, and pat very dry. Discard brine.
• Season with 1/2 tsp EACH salt, pepper, smoked paprika and dried thyme.
• Add vegetable oil to large oven-safe skillet and heat over MED-HIGH heat. Once pan is hot, add seasoned pork chops and cook, without flipping or moving, for 2-3 minutes.
• Using tongs, flip pork chops over, and transfer skillet to the preheated oven.
• Bake 5 minutes, then flip pork chops back over, return to the oven and bake another 4 minutes, until pork is cooked to 145 F degrees (internal temperature).
• Remove pork chops to a plate, and cover loosely with foil. Leave to rest for 5 minutes.
• Brush or spoon a bit of sauce over the top of each pork chops, then serve with remaining sauce on the side.