Finally scored a pork belly!

[richinlbrg]

I've been wanting to do a homemade bacon cook. #1 saw 10# of pork belly @ Costco over the weekend ($2.78/#).

Picked a couple of items at the store this morning and will start curing two 3# segments tonight. One for regular bacon and one for maple syrup bacon. I think I'll vac seal and freeze the remaining 4, almost 5 pounds, for a future cook, unless, of course someone has a better idea.

Will post pics when I smoke them, likely Saturday.

#excited!

[Jerod Broussard]

I'll probably find pork belly when I find Prime short ribs.

[DWCowles]

You will have some when you kill that wild hog

[HorseDoctor]

Try combining sweet & savory. Start here; http://ruhlman.com/2010/10/home-cured-bacon-2/ and add 1/2 cup maple syrup to the cure. Can also paint a glaze coat of syrup on the bacon during during the last 15-20 minutes of smoking.

[EdF]

Char Siu - find a recipe that emphasizes crisp skin!

[Brewmaster]

Add a little bourbon it goes great

[gsfay]

I just smoked my first 3# slab after finding this site last week. I did the maple version. It is amazing!

[fuzzydaddy]

Great job on the bacon gsfay and Welcome! We'd love to get an intro from you over in the Introduce Yourself channel when you get a minute. https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...troductions-aa Thank you!

[Elton's BBQ]

Looks really good!

[Locotech]

that's fine lookin bacon.. doin' some t'day...hopefully comes out as well. The price was killer, here in north Ontario, $5/ lb. is as cheap as it gets.

[Willy]

Go for some pancetta--Ruhlman's recipe. Best bang for your buck by far.

[Spinaker]

It's just amazing. I love that recipe. Looks like you nailed it. Costco does a good job on the pork bellies. Nice cook!

[EdF]

Yeah, I'm seriously into that Charcuterie book myself!

[HorseDoctor]

EdF try the dried Spanish Chorizo recipe from Charcuterie and you'll never look at pepperoni the same ever again!

[EdF]

Sounds great, HorseDoctor !

[richinlbrg]

A question on cooking the bacon.........fat side up or down?

[Steve Vojtek]

I've always cooked fat side up... If I remember correctly its what Meathead recommends....

[HorseDoctor]

I do fat side up. It's such a short cook that it really doesn't make much difference.

[richinlbrg]

Thanks, guys. Going on shortly.

[Steve Vojtek]

gsfay Beautiful looking bacon ! What did you think of the maple syrup one? That's my favorite.....

[richinlbrg]

Well, my 1st #s of bacon is in the house! This is just the straight bacon, the one cured with honey included just went on.

[Elton's BBQ]

Looks really good..

[EdF]

That is one nice belly!

[Mr. Bones]

Super-Tasty Lookin'!!! richinlbrg gsfay !!!
Guess I gotta try this, sometime soon!!!
Loves me some bacon!!!

[richinlbrg]

It is REALLY good, Mr. Bones !

Highly recommend!

[Steve Vojtek]

Wow!
That's beautiful....

[Steve B]

Looking awesome richinlbrg I'm sooooo going to have to try some bacon soon. Once I heal up. I'll post about that in a few days. Can't wait to see how the honey cured one turns out.

[Mr. Bones]

Steve B Get Well Soon!!!!

[richinlbrg]

Get well, Steve B !

They are both GREAT!

[Atalanta]

Get well soon, Steve B. I fell your frustration (being on the mend as well).