by Michael Hoffman
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Michael Hoffman's Notes:
Expand1 medium-large red onion, sliced thinly parallel to the root end Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 cup red wine vinegar (or as needed) Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (or as needed) Ask a question about this ingredient
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or to taste) Ask a question about this ingredient
Use the handle of a wooden spoon (or similar implement) to gently pack the sliced onion into a jar. For best results, choose a jar small enough to be completely filled with onion.
Ask a question about this stepIn a bowl, mix together an equal proportion of the two vinegars so that you have more than enough liquid to fill the onion jar halfway. Add the sugar and whisk to dissolve. Fill the onion jar a little more than halfway with vinegar mixture. Top off with water until onions are fully submerged. Seal the jar and turn it over a few times to mix.
Ask a question about this stepLet the onions sit at room temperature for at least one, and preferably four hours or more before use. Make sure to taste the onions halfway through the pickle to see if you like the level of acidity. If not, pour out some liquid and replace either with water or with vinegar. Refrigerate leftovers for a week or more.
Ask a question about this step8 ounces cured (preferably heirloom) pork belly (smoked or not), sliced into 4 half-inch slabs Ask a question about this ingredient
2 cups plus 1/2 cup fresh apple cider Ask a question about this ingredient
1 medium onion, roughly chopped Ask a question about this ingredient
1 medium carrot, roughly chopped Ask a question about this ingredient
1 medium celery rib, roughly chooped Ask a question about this ingredient
10 black peppercorns Ask a question about this ingredient
3 cloves Ask a question about this ingredient
1 cinnamon stick Ask a question about this ingredient
2 granny smith apples, cut into quarter-inch rounds Ask a question about this ingredient
2 tablespoons moutarde al'ancienne (or other whole grain dijon) Ask a question about this ingredient
4 tangles of picked red onion (recipe above) Ask a question about this ingredient
Place the bacon, 2 cups of cider, mirepoix, pepper, cloves, and cinnamon stick in a medium sauce pan. Top off with cold water so that the ingredients are covered by about an inch. Bring to a gentle simmer and simmer uncovered for two hours or until tender.
Ask a question about this stepUse a slotted spoon to gently remove the bacon from the liquid. Pat the slabs dry, and reserve them. Strain the braising liquid and reserve it. (You won't need nearly all of it for this recipe, but for heaven's sake, don't toss it out! One dish you could make with it is bacon-onion soup, like this: http://consumed-i-this.tumblr.com/post/70765765/what-am-i-going-to-do-with-all-of-this-bacon)
Ask a question about this stepWhen you are almost ready to serve the pork, get a heavy skillet very hot with a little neutral oil. Sear the bacon slabs hard on both sides. Remove them from the pan and set them aside somewhere warm, seasoning them if they need it.
Ask a question about this stepIn the same pan—which, should now be coated in delicious rendered pork fat—sear the apples hard on both sides. You want them to be tender, but not mushy, and to get some color. Remove the apples and set them aside with the pork.
Ask a question about this stepDeglaze the pan with the remaining cider and an equal amount of braising liquid, scraping the pan with a wooden spoon as the juices reduce. After a minute or two on high heat, stir in the mustard, and continue to reduce until saucy.
Ask a question about this stepTo plate, lay down some of the pan sauce, top it with a slice or two of the apple, then a slice of pork belly, and then some more sauce. Finish with a tangle of pickled onion.
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Nice!