Got my belly

HCT · July 25, 2008, 07:33:58 AM

Finally picked up my pork belly, skin on, 47lbs. :o :o :P, meaty and thick. I figured I had to get the case with the price at $1.59lb., 60 miles round trip and the cheapest I can get it up here is at $4.99lb. and Nodine's smokehouse just never got back to me. Yeah it is alot of belly but I'll smoke most of 2 sides now after I cure it and freeze 2 for down the road. Yup, alot of BLT's but who's complaining. I'm going to try my hand at some lardo and try again with pancetta. The last time I did pancetta it got moldy towards the end of curing but try, try again. Also want to make Hab's smoked pork belly, I've been looking forward to that for a while now.
So I'm in pork fat heaven, Emeril eat your heart out. :D :D :D

FLBentRider · July 25, 2008, 08:28:25 AM

Dude!

That's alot of Belly!

Was it all one piece ? if so, what are the dimensions ?

Oldman · July 25, 2008, 10:31:55 AM

QuoteEmeril eat your heart out. :D :D :D

Amen!

Habanero Smoker · July 25, 2008, 01:55:57 PM

Wow! Lots of bacon.

Fresh belly is so good, it a whole different experience. It's not greasy, and the fat just melts in your mouth. A few days ago I came across this article. This should give you a few more ideas on cooking fresh belly.

Pork belly is simply divine

deb415611 · July 25, 2008, 02:00:28 PM

Quote from: HCT on July 25, 2008, 07:33:58 AM
Finally picked up my pork belly, skin on, 47lbs. :o :o :P, meaty and thick. I figured I had to get the case with the price at $1.59lb., 60 miles round trip and the cheapest I can get it up here is at $4.99lb. and Nodine's smokehouse just never got back to me. Yeah it is alot of belly but I'll smoke most of 2 sides now after I cure it and freeze 2 for down the road. Yup, alot of BLT's but who's complaining. I'm going to try my hand at some lardo and try again with pancetta. The last time I did pancetta it got moldy towards the end of curing but try, try again. Also want to make Hab's smoked pork belly, I've been looking forward to that for a while now.
So I'm in pork fat heaven, Emeril eat your heart out. :D :D :D

Wow, that is alot of belly -- I'm sure he told me the cases were 35lbs.

I'm off to Antonelli's right now to figure out what I am doing this weekend. Hopefully they have some pork belly since I never got around to calling this week.

Deb

HCT · July 25, 2008, 04:26:27 PM

Habs, thanks for the site. The recipes look good and will be prepping them tomorrow.

Deb, I hope I didn't wipe him out on you. I also tried to get a decent price for pig ears, I want to home smoke them for my boys, no such luck. $1.99lb. Cheaper for me to buy them already smoked.

FLB, it's 4 sides. Damn, that would be one big hog if it was one. :D

deb415611 · July 25, 2008, 05:45:19 PM

HCT,

The sign said that they close at 5:30 and I got there at 5:20. It was crazy! They didn't have any fresh in the case but I grabbed a couple lbs out of the freezer -- It was $2.49lb. I guess maybe I should buy a case if I can get it for 1.59 --- I can give all kinds of bacon away and still be ahead.

Got a couple pork butts too.

Deb

HCT · July 26, 2008, 05:06:38 AM

Deb, If you need any belly let me know, I'll gladly share some with you. I thought of this late last night, should have offered you earlier.

deb415611 · July 26, 2008, 11:35:26 AM

HCT, thanks so much for the offer. I'm think I'm ok for right now. Next time you need some let me know and maybe we can split a case. I'm only about 15 minutes away so I can grab it anytime and usually have room in the extra fridge to store for a few days. I almost asked you if you wanted to split a case of pork butts - they had cases on sale but I decided it wasn't that great a deal since the ones in the case were only .20/lb more.

Ming is on PBS and I just heard the words "pork belly" - got to go watch tv.

Deb

deb415611 · July 26, 2008, 11:41:20 AM

Quote from: deb415611 on July 26, 2008, 11:35:26 AM

Ming is on PBS and I just heard the words "pork belly" - got to go watch tv.

Deb

Missed most of it but it was braised pork belly with apple, onion , maple syrup & I think some kind of thai pepper. Off to see if I can find a recipe.

Got it : http://ming.com/simplyming/recipes/Season5/524_PorkBellyClayPot.html

pensrock · July 26, 2008, 12:00:20 PM

Deb,

I'm still waiting to test out that canadian bacon for you, but since you are going to do pork belly also I can wait and test them both. ;) ;D ;D

It's great that you and HCT live fairly close to each other and can split cases of meat to work out a better deal. Great idea.

deb415611 · July 26, 2008, 12:26:24 PM

Pens, I'll let you know when I have both in the house at the same time ;D

HCT · July 26, 2008, 01:11:24 PM

Deb, I don't know if you have a Price-Rite near you but there is one in Torrington that I go to every couple of weeks. If I hit it right the have pork butt for .89 sometimes .49, bone in. Ribs if I catch them right $1.49. I'll give you a hollar when I see something that is priced right. Let me know what else you look for because they have some cuts that you can't find in the big supermarkets.

deb415611 · July 26, 2008, 01:56:42 PM

I haven't heard of Price-Rite but I'll ask my husband (he's in the grocery business & will know). There is a shop-rite in Waterbury but it is always incredibly crazy & the few times I have been in it hasn't looked very clean. They are moving to a bigger store soon (Price Chopper closed & Shop-rite bought the building) so maybe it will be different. I usually shop at Costco, BJs and Stop & Shop.

I buy chicken at Costco because it's packaged for the freezer. Other cuts I buy are flank, tenderloin (beef & pork) Antonelli's has the butt end of the beef tenderloin for 5.99lb often , pork loin.

Let me know what you buy & I'll let you know if Antonellis has any great deals.

Oldman · July 31, 2008, 05:29:28 PM

Quotehaven't heard of Price-Rite but I'll ask my husband

Ah shucks... and here we thought you were a single wild smokin' gal~~! ;D