ROASTED PORK BELLY WITH GINGERY RHUBARB COMPOTE

Roasted Pork Belly with Gingery Rhubarb Compote image

Provided by Melissa Hamilton

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 pounds pork belly, skin removed, fat intact
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion, sliced into 1/2" rings
1 cup dry white wine
Gingery Rhubarb Compote

Steps:

Using a sharp knife, score pork belly fat in a crosshatch pattern at about 3/4" intervals, taking care not to cut into meat.
Mix thyme, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub thyme mixture on both sides of pork. Place pork in a large resealable plastic bag, seal bag, and chill at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
Preheat oven to 250°F. Arrange onion in bottom of a large heavy pot with a lid. Rinse pork and place fat side up on top of onion; add wine.
Cover pot; place in oven and braise pork, basting occasionally, until fork-tender, 2 1/2-3 hours. Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Uncover pot and cook until meat is very tender and fat is crisp and golden brown, about 1 hour longer.
Slice pork and serve with Gingery Rhubarb Compote.
DO AHEAD: Pork belly can be made 2 days ahead (do not slice). Let cool slightly, then chill uncovered until cold. Cover and keep chilled. Preheat oven to 350°F. Reheat until hot and fat is crisp, 20-30 minutes.