Pork Belly Mac and Cheese

Name: Pork Belly Mac and Cheese
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H50M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H5M0.000S
Yield: 1 large serving
Ingredients: 1 cup campanelle pasta; Salt; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated Cheddar; Pinch freshly ground nutmeg; Pinch white pepper; 1 tablespoon sourdough breadcrumbs; 3-inch square pork belly; One 8-ounce bottle dark porter; 4 tablespoons dark sugar; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 glass white wine

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Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 5 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 50 min

Yield: 1 large serving

Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 5 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 50 min

Yield: 1 large serving

Ingredients

1 cup campanelle pasta

Salt

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Cheddar

Pinch freshly ground nutmeg

Pinch white pepper

1 tablespoon sourdough breadcrumbs

Pork Belly:

3-inch square pork belly

Porter Glaze:

One 8-ounce bottle dark porter

4 tablespoons dark sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 glass white wine

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Partially cook the pasta for 4 to 5 minutes in boiling salted water. The pasta should be too firm to eat, as it will be further cooked in the oven. Put to one side.
In a small saute pan, heat the heavy cream and reduce slightly. Then add the Cheddar, grated nutmeg and white pepper, and stir. When the cream and cheese mixture is bubbling, add the par-cooked pasta. As the pasta continues to cook, it will absorb some of the flavors of the mixture. Once the pasta is coated, pour into an ovenproof baking dish and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Put in a hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Place the pork belly on a baking tray and roast the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, you can prepare the porter glaze. First, reduce the beer to burn off the alcohol and reduce the bitterness. Add the brown sugar and stir to stop burning. Mix the cornstarch with the white wine and add 2 tablespoons to thicken the mixture. (Mixing the cornstarch with white wine prevents the starch from making the glaze cloudy).
When the mac and cheese is cooked, remove from the oven, place the roasted square of pork belly on top and spoon the hot porter glaze over the meat.

This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional. It has not been tested for home use.

Recipe courtesy of Tim Larson, Cooper's Tavern, Madison, WI