Braised Pork Belly Sandwich
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Recipe courtesy of Aaron McCargo Jr.

Braised Pork Belly Sandwich with Pesto Mayo

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 2 hr 15 min
  • Prep: 15 min
  • Cook: 2 hr
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Pesto Mayo:

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Score the pork belly several times on fatty side. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. Coat a large Dutch oven, over medium heat, with oil. Add the pork belly, 1 piece at a time, scored side down, to the pot. Sear slowly to render the fat on all sides for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Drain off the excess fat leaving 3 to 4 tablespoons and add the garlic. Brown the garlic, then add the onions and cook until slightly colored, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Stir in the brown sugar and balsamic and cook until syrupy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the Dijon and whisk until smooth. Stir in the rosemary, mushrooms, peppers and broths and bring to a boil. Return the pork belly to the pan, cover and put in the oven. Braise until fork tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove from oven and transfer the pork belly to a platter.
  5. Pesto mayo:
  6. Mix all the ingredients with a whisk in a small bowl and set aside.
  7. To assemble sandwiches:
  8. Spread pesto mayonnaise liberally on each side of the toasted rolls. Put a piece of pork belly and several slices of smoked mozzarella on the bottom halves. Arrange the bottom halves of assembled sandwich on a sheet pan and put back in the oven until cheese melts and browns, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover with the roll tops and serve.