Pork belly may seem like a daunting cut of meat to prepare, but with a little time and patience, it can be transformed into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
One technique that has gained popularity in recent years is pressing the pork belly. But why do we press it?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of pressing pork belly and how it can elevate your cooking game.
So grab your apron and let’s get started!
Why Do You Press Pork Belly?
Pressing pork belly is a technique that involves flattening the meat after it has been cooked and allowing it to cool and set in a flat shape. This process has several benefits that make it a popular choice among chefs and home cooks alike.
Firstly, pressing the pork belly helps to evenly distribute the fat throughout the meat. Pork belly is known for its high fat content, which can make it difficult to cook evenly. By pressing the meat, the fat is spread out more evenly, resulting in a more consistent texture and flavor.
Secondly, pressing the pork belly helps to create a crispy skin. When the meat is pressed, the skin is brought into contact with a flat surface, which helps to remove any excess moisture and create a crispy texture. This is especially important if you are looking to achieve that perfect crackling on your pork belly.
Finally, pressing the pork belly helps to create a more visually appealing dish. When the meat is pressed, it takes on a uniform shape that is easy to slice and serve. This makes it an ideal choice for presentation purposes, especially if you are serving guests.
What Is Pork Belly?
Pork belly is a popular cut of meat that comes from the belly of a pig. It is a fatty, boneless cut that is known for its rich flavor and versatility in cooking. When kept whole, pork belly looks like a brick of meat with a thick layer of fat running along the top and smaller layers of fat marbled throughout.
One of the most famous uses for pork belly is bacon. When the fatty outer layer is stripped away, the meat can be smoked, cured, and sliced thinly to create everyone’s favorite sizzling breakfast food. Pork belly is also commonly used in Asian, Hispanic, and Northern European cuisines, where it can play both a starring role (like in a pork belly bao) and a salty add-on to other dishes (like pancetta).
Pork belly can be cooked using various methods, but it responds particularly well to moist heat cooking, which turns it fork-tender. Slow-cooking methods like braising or stewing are ideal for pork belly, as they allow the fat to render into the meat over time, leaving the resulting flesh moist and tender. Slow-roasting in the oven is another popular method that allows you to render the fat and crisp up the skin simultaneously, creating a lovely textural contrast.
Pork belly has a high fat content, which gives the meat a lot of flavor. However, this can also make it difficult to cook evenly. To address this issue, chefs and home cooks often use a technique called pressing. This involves flattening the meat after it has been cooked and allowing it to cool and set in a flat shape. Pressing helps to evenly distribute the fat throughout the meat, create a crispy skin, and make the dish more visually appealing.
The Traditional Process Of Preparing Pork Belly
The traditional process of preparing pork belly involves several steps to ensure the meat is cooked to perfection. If you are using skin-on pork belly, it is important to score the skin with a sharp knife every 1/2 inch at a diagonal, cutting through the skin and into the fat, but not so deep that you hit the meat. This creates a diamond shape pattern that helps to render down the fat and create that coveted crispy skin.
Once the pork belly has been scored, it is seasoned with salt, sugar, and black pepper and refrigerated overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and helps to tenderize it. When ready to cook, the pork belly is roasted in a heavy, oven-safe pan or skillet at 450°F for 30 minutes with the skin side up. The heat is then reduced to 275°F and the pork belly is roasted for an hour or more until it is tender but not mushy.
After cooking, the pork belly is allowed to cool to room temperature before being wrapped tightly in plastic and refrigerated until chilled through. This can take at least a few hours or up to 2 days. Once chilled, the pork belly is sliced into thick pieces and browned in a skillet on the stovetop until crisp.
The Benefits Of Pressing Pork Belly
Pressing pork belly has several benefits that make it a popular technique among chefs and home cooks. One of the main benefits is that it helps to evenly distribute the fat throughout the meat. Pork belly is known for its high fat content, which can make it challenging to cook evenly. By pressing the meat, the fat is spread out more uniformly, resulting in a more consistent texture and flavor.
Another benefit of pressing pork belly is that it helps to create a crispy skin. When the meat is pressed, the skin is brought into contact with a flat surface, which helps to remove any excess moisture and create a crispy texture. This is especially important if you are looking to achieve that perfect crackling on your pork belly.
Finally, pressing the pork belly helps to create a more visually appealing dish. When the meat is pressed, it takes on a uniform shape that is easy to slice and serve. This makes it an ideal choice for presentation purposes, especially if you are serving guests.
How To Press Pork Belly
Pressing pork belly is a simple process that can be done at home with just a few tools. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to press pork belly:
1. Cook the pork belly according to your preferred recipe. Once it is fully cooked, remove it from the oven or stove and let it cool slightly.
2. Place the pork belly on a clean chopping board and use a sharp knife to cut it into individual portions or squares.
3. Pat the skin of each portion dry with kitchen paper to remove any excess moisture.
4. Place the pork squares, fat side up, in a roasting tin and drizzle with olive oil and a generous pinch of sea salt.
5. Preheat your oven to the highest setting, about 450-500°F (250°C).
6. Roast the pork for 15-20 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
7. Remove the pork from the oven and transfer it to a clean chopping board.
8. While the pork is still warm, place another tray on top of the pork and weigh it down with a few heavy tins or cans to flatten it.
9. Let the pork cool completely, then chill it in the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight to set its shape.
10. Once the pork has been pressed, remove it from the refrigerator and cut it into even slices for serving.
By following these simple steps, you can easily press your own pork belly at home and enjoy all of its delicious benefits.
Tips For Cooking Pressed Pork Belly
If you are planning to cook pressed pork belly, there are a few tips that can help you achieve the best results:
1. Cook the pork belly low and slow: To get the meat tender and juicy, it needs to be cooked slowly at a low temperature. This will allow the fat to render and the meat to become tender. Depending on the recipe, this can take several hours.
2. Season the pork belly generously: Before cooking, make sure to season the pork belly with salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs that you prefer. This will help to enhance the flavor of the meat.
3. Press the pork belly while it is still warm: Once the pork belly is cooked, it needs to be pressed while it is still warm. This will help to set its shape and create a uniform texture. Use a clean tray or board on top of the meat and weigh it down with heavy cans or weights.
4. Chill the pressed pork belly: After pressing, chill the pork belly for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This will help it to set its shape and become easier to slice.
5. Roast the pork belly at high heat: When you are ready to serve, cut the pressed pork belly into individual portions and roast them at a high temperature until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Make sure to pat the skin dry before roasting for best results.
By following these tips, you can create a delicious and visually appealing dish that is sure to impress your guests.
Delicious Recipes For Pressed Pork Belly
If you’re looking to try your hand at pressing pork belly, here are three delicious recipes to get you started:
1. Gordon Ramsay’s Pressed Belly of Pork: This recipe involves slow-roasting the pork belly with garlic and thyme, then pressing it between two baking trays to create a flat shape. The pork is then sliced and served with a rich red wine gravy. Perfect for a special occasion or dinner party.
2. Soy-Glazed Pork Belly: In this recipe, the pork belly is marinated overnight in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, lime juice, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. It is then braised in the oven until tender, pressed between two baking trays, and broiled until crispy. Serve with pickled radishes and rice for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
3. Roasted Pork Belly with Vegetables: This recipe involves roasting the pork belly with vegetables such as carrots, onions, and potatoes. Once cooked, the pork is pressed between two baking trays to create a flat shape, then sliced and served with the roasted vegetables. A simple and hearty meal that is perfect for a cozy night in.
No matter which recipe you choose, pressing your pork belly will result in a delicious and visually appealing dish that is sure to impress your guests. So why not give it a try?
