Boiling Bacon With Parsley Sauce From 'My Irish Table'

1. 1

   In a large pot over high heat, bring the 1 quart of water to a boil. Add the kosher salt and sugar, stirring until they are dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the ice to completely cool the brine. Add the garlic, onion, curing salt, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and sage. The brine can be kept for several days in the refrigerator.

2. 2

   Place the pork belly in a 2 1/2-gallon zip-top bag placed in a large bowl. Pour the brine into the bag. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible so that the pork is completely submerged. Refrigerate the pork in the bag for 3 days.

3. 3

   Remove the pork from the brine; discard the brine and thoroughly rinse the pork under cold running water. In a large pot, cover the pork with cold water and boil it over high heat for 3 hours, or until fork tender. Add water as needed throughout the process so the pork remains covered at all times.

4. 4

   In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the butter until it bubbles. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking constantly, until the mixture is blond in color. Whisking continually, slowly add the milk. Bring the sauce to a boil and cook until it thickens, about 3 minutes, whisking continually to keep lumps from forming. Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and parsley, whisking to incorporate. Season with more salt and pepper if you wish. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. (To reheat, heat 1/2 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in the sauce in batches, warming each one through before adding the next.)

5. 5

   Heat the broiler, positioning the rack 8 inches from the heating element. Remove the bacon from the pot, blot it dry with paper towels, and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil it for several minutes until the top is dark brown and crisp. Be patient with the broiling. It doesn't have to be high temperature or close to the heat: you want a nice, even caramelization and crunchiness on the top.

6. 6

   Spoon the warm parsley sauce into a small bowl. Transfer the bacon to a cutting board and slice it 1/2 inch thick, cutting crosswise. Arrange the bacon on a serving platter or individual plates; serve with the sauce on the side.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.