Crispy Pork Belly With Manchamantel Sauce

Step 1

FOR THE CRISPY PORK

Step 2

In a large bowl, coat the pork belly with the cure spices and the honey and toss to coat evenly.

Step 3

Place in a nonreactive container, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Step 4

Heat a sous vide circulator to 160 degrees. Remove the pork from the cure, rinse and pat dry. Vacuum-seal pork belly with the rendered fat. Submerge the sealed pork into a preheated water bath and cook for 24 hours.

Step 5

Remove pork from water bath and let rest for 15 minutes. Plunge into an ice bath and chill for 20 to 30 minutes. Refrigerate until completely chilled.

Step 6

Alternatively, instead of using a circulator, heat an oven to 250 degrees. Place pork belly in a hotel pan and cover with rendered fat. Bring to a simmer on the stovetop, then place in the oven and cook, uncovered, until pork is forktender, three to four hours.

Step 7

To make the dish even quicker and easier, use a precooked pork belly, such as Sysco Imperial Sous Vide Pork Belly.

Step 8

FOR THE MANCHAMANTEL SAUCE

Step 9

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Place chilies in a cast-iron skillet and toast both sides, being careful not to burn them.

Step 10

Bring a quart of cold water to a boil and add the chilies. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 11

Toss banana, apple and pineapple with brown sugar and roast in a large pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomatoes to the fruit mixture and roast 10 minutes longer.

Step 12

Place chilies, fruit mixture, cinnamon, vinegar, cloves, and salt in a food processor and purée until smooth. Add a little water if necessary to thin the sauce slightly. Strain if desired.

Step 13

Place oil or lard in a deep skillet. Heat until almost smoking and add the sauce. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. (Makes 3 cups of sauce.)

Step 14

To serve, warm the sauce and set it aside. Warm the poblano corn and set it aside. Divide the pork belly into 4 ounce portions.

Step 15

Heat the oil to almost smoking. Reduce the heat to medium and sauté the pork belly until it's browned on all sides and warmed through.

Step 16

Divide sauce among plates, top with pork belly. Garnish with corn, chayote squash, pearl onions, fried plantain chips and diced pineapple.