A Thursday Off | DIY Bacon

I took today off.  The weather report came in yesterday and suddenly I needed an entire day because of a previously scheduled doctors appointment.  That's what PTO is for... right?

So this is what I did today:

Gym

Target

a run to Steve's Meat Market

Dillons

Woot woot... right?  But what I did later on was way more fun...

I started a recipe for curing my own bacon.   Meat curing is kind of on my culinary bucket list. (Yes I have one of those.)  Maybe some day I'll share my entire bucket list, but for now this is the only important one.   For my first attempt  I started with only a pound of pork belly.   I figure I should start small before delving into the great big world of charcuterie, and honestly, a pound of bacon for two people is more than sufficient.   

So on this fine thursday afternoon, I plan on sitting on my rear, and dreaming about bacon.  Heaven.

Home Cured Bacon from Saveur

2 1⁄2-lb. slab of skin-on pork belly

2 1⁄2 tbsp. kosher salt

1 1⁄2 tbsp. sugar

1 tbsp. black peppercorns

1 tsp. fennel seed

1 tsp. caraway seed

1 tsp. dried rosemary

1 tsp. dried thyme

2 bay leaves

1 garlic clove, Finely chopped

1. Trim pork belly to square off its edges. Rinse the pork, pat it dry, and transfer it to large sheet of parchment paper.

2. Measure out salt, sugar, black peppercorns, fennel seed, caraway seed, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves and coarsely grind in a spice grinder. In a bowl, combine garlic with spices and set aside.

3. Rub seasonings all over pork. Transfer pork and any excess spices to a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag and seal, shaking the bag to distribute the seasonings. Refrigerate for 7 days on a sheet tray, flipping the bag every other day. (Some brine will accumulate in the bag as the salt draws water from the pork.)

4. After 7 days, the bacon should feel firm to the touch. Remove bacon from the bag and thoroughly wash off the spices under cold running water. Pat bacon dry with paper towels.

5. Heat oven to 200°. Transfer bacon to a 9 x 13 baking pan and roast until meat is lightly browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center reads 150°, about 2 hours.

6. Transfer bacon to a cutting board. With a long, thin knife, slice off the skin. Let bacon cool to room temperature. Pat bacon dry, wrap in wax paper, and refrigerate until completely chilled. Wrap bacon in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Slice and fry up for the breakfast table or cut into lardons for a salad.

MAKES 2 1⁄2 LBS