Monday, February 20, 2012

The (Potentially) Great Bacon Project of 2012

Posted by Adam Borowitz on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 5:01 PM

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There is something magic about pork belly. Those who imbibe in it are prone to eye-glazed moments of reverence when discussing it. Chefs swear by the texture and flavor even a small amount adds to a dish.

I find this impressive, so I drove up to Lee Lee Oriental Supermarket this weekend to lay in a small supply of pork belly ($3.19 a pound, if you're wondering) to see what all the hype was about.

When I arrived home I realized I had no idea what to do with what I'd bought, but bacon is always a good idea. So I slapped down six slabs on a cutting board and fought off the dog while rubbing each chunk vigorously with salt and sugar, just like the internet told me to. Then I added crushed Pakistani peppers to one and garlic to another, leaving the third plain.

The word is that this should be left to cure for one week, so this will be hitting the frying pan next Sunday. Can making one's own bacon really be this easy? I'll be back in a week with a full report.

Rubbed-down and ready to go.
  • Rubbed-down and ready to go.

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I think I would roast them.

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Posted by rconnelly on 02/20/2012 at 8:49 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzO9W2wmPWs

You guys want to glorify this, fine. But the reality is that the industrial production of animals, such as pigs, for food is horrendous in every way: environmental disaster, inhumane and cruel to the animals, and if you really think about it, pretty disgusting.

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Posted by Stop and Think on 02/20/2012 at 11:12 PM

Adam,aside from the peta FOOL,make sure you let us know how that turns out,it sounds delicious....

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Posted by Bob Cap on 02/21/2012 at 7:30 AM

@stop and think:
If we weren't meant to eat animals then god would not have made them so delicious. Obviously if you have a problem with meat you shouldn't read an article online about delicious pork belly. So step down off the soap box and go buy a veggie burger. Mean while I will be consuming meat. Like a true carnivore.
@Adam- That looks spectacular! Hope it comes out great.

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Posted by Bacon is great! on 02/21/2012 at 8:21 AM

I had the pork belly BLT sliders at 47 Scott... just as good as it sounds.

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Posted by ADK on 02/21/2012 at 8:44 AM

Ah man my mouth is watering. There is so much you can do with a pork belly, if you need any more ideas, let me know.

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Posted by BURNIE MAK on 02/21/2012 at 10:24 AM

Burnie Mak, send those ideas this way: aborowitz@tucsonweekly.com. After trying a small sample last night I can report that bacon is both easy to make and far superior to what you get at the store. More on this next week.

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Posted by Adam Borowitz on 02/23/2012 at 10:35 AM
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