BRAISED PORK BELLY SANDWICH WITH PESTO MAYO

Braised Pork Belly Sandwich with Pesto Mayo image

Provided by Aaron McCargo Jr.

Time 2h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 (8-ounce) square portions pork belly
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Grapeseed oil, to coat bottom of pan
4 whole cloves garlic
1 onion, diced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 sprig rosemary
1/4 cup dry portobello mushrooms
2 Scotch bonnet peppers or jalapenos, optional
2 cups beef broth
2 cups chicken broth
4 small ciabatta rolls, split and toasted
8 ounces smoked mozzarella, sliced
1/2 cup prepared pesto
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Dash lemon juice
Pinch kosher salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Score the pork belly several times on fatty side. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
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.
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.
Pesto mayo:
Mix all the ingredients with a whisk in a small bowl and set aside.
To assemble sandwiches:
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.