braised pork and crispy yukon gold potatoes

Take a look at this photograph to visually realize how deliciously tempting this Seduction Meal would be.  A succulent braised pork with crispy skin bursting with flavor, sitting on a small tower of sliced crispy potatoes floating in a savory sauce. Now that’s what I call a Seduction Meal!  Serve this dish with an organic, simple salad and a bottle of your favorite red or white wine. You can substitute wild boar in place of the pork. Either way, this dish will definitely get his or her attention.

pork_belly.jpgBraised Pork or Wild Boar with Crispy Yukon Gold Potatoes
Recipe, cooking and styling by Chris Tanghe
Recipe courtesy of MarxFoods.com

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb. of Pork or Wild Boar Bellies
  • 1 large onion – medium dice
  • 1 bulb fennel – medium dice
  • 2 carrots – medium dice
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 2 cups brown chicken stock
  • 2 cups veal stock
  • 2 sprigs sage
  • 3 Yukon Gold potatoes – sliced into ¼ inch rounds on the mandoline
  • 1 tsp peanut oil

Technique:

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF
  2. Heat a braising pan on the stovetop over medium heat, add peanut oil when hot
  3. Liberally season pork or boar belly with salt and pepper
  4. Sear meat, skin side down, until golden brown
  5. Turn heat to medium and flip
  6. Sear meat side to golden
  7. Remove belly – add onion and fennel, cook until soft
  8. Add celery and carrot – cook until soft
  9. Add sage, veal and chicken stock – bring to a simmer, stock should almost cover belly
  10. Return belly and put in oven, uncovered
  11. Cook for 2 hours, adding additional stock if necessary
  12. Remove belly from pan and score fat – let rest
  13. Strain braising liquid – reduce to nape and season
  14. Heat sauté pan – add peanut oil when hot
  15. Add potatoes ensuring a single layer in pan – crisp until golden – flip and repeat – season
  16. Change oven setting to broil and crisp belly, fat side up to perfection
  17. Cut belly into 3 oz square portions

Presentation:

  1. In a serving bowl, add 4 oz braising liquid
  2. Layer slices of potato in broth
  3. Place belly on top of potatoes
  4. Finish with sea salt and fresh herbs

 Bon appette!