Lionfish Menu Feature: All About Pork Belly.

(Source: Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine Facebook page)

Have you ever tried pork belly? If not, then you’ve been missing out on what is..

LIONFISH MENU FEATURE: ALL ABOUT PORK BELLY.

(Source: Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine Facebook page)

Have you ever tried pork belly? If not, then you’ve been missing out on what is undoubtedly one of life’s great pleasures. Long considered a delicacy in different parts of the world, pork belly has only recently come into real prominence in the United States.

While pork belly is far from a new ingredient, its popularity and notoriety has really become pronounced in the United States following the so-called “bacon craze” that began roughly a decade ago. It’s a truly wonderful thing to see this unique and delicious ingredient, which has long been a darling among chefs, reach a greater audience and receive its due appreciation. It’s certainly beloved on the Lionfish menu, and we want to share our passion with you! Here, we’ll offer a comprehensive primer on all things pork belly, starting with an education about what it is (and what it isn’t), then exploring the many reasons why it’s so wonderful. Finally, we’ll offer tips for how to augment your enjoyment of pork belly by pairing it the perfect side dishes, beverages, and more!

Pork belly at Lionfish. Before we get into the delicious story of pork belly, we’ll stoke your appetite by telling you about where to find it on the Lionfish menu. Pork belly figures prominently into our “hot plates”menu category with the Maple-Sriracha Pork Belly “BLT”. This creative take on the classic BLT features crispy pork belly with a maple-sriracha seasoning, tomato jam, chicories, serrano chile dressing, and avocado. It’s not your average BLT, that’s for sure!

What is pork belly? To truly understand what makes the aforementioned menu item at Lionfish so special, it’s important to know what pork belly is and what makes it so special.

Simply put, pork belly is a boneless cut of the fatty meat from the belly of a pig. But flavor-wise, pork belly is anything but simple.

When it comes to cooking, pork belly is one of the few foods which can without a speck of hyperbole be called “unctuous”. It’s rich, and it has plenty of flavorful fat which imparts an incredible amount of flavor, even in small quantities. Pork belly is often fried to attain crispy edges, but overall has a yielding texture that seemingly melts like butter on the tongue. You could say that pork belly is like the ultimate flavor bouillon, making everything around it taste richer, more interesting, crave-worthy, and overall better. It’s a magical food!

How is pork belly different from bacon? The first time you taste pork belly, you’ll probably be struck by its similarity to another popular pork product: bacon. Actually, much of the bacon served in the USA is made from pork belly. But what is the difference between pork belly and bacon?

The main difference is preparation. To become bacon, pork belly must be cured. So in this way, bacon can be cured pork belly, but not all pork belly is necessarily meant to become bacon. Additionally, while plenty of bacon is made from pork belly, it’s not always the case. Pork bacon can also come from different parts of the pig, such as the back, collar, shoulder, or even the jowl.

Why is pork belly so trendy? If you’ve already tasted pork belly, you likely have no trouble understanding why it’s become such a trend. However, one chef captures the beauty of pork belly in beautifully poetic terms in this article: “It’s such an amazing textural experience…you have a nice layer of meat, a nice layer of fat, another nice layer of meat, another nice layer of fat, and when you cook it properly, you have a thin crispy layer on top that’s crackly when you bite down into it — which you should never do in less than three seconds.”

Lionfish’s Maple-Sriracha Pork Belly “BLT”: proper pairings. Want to round out our pork belly BLT with fixings to make it a meal? Here are some suggestions:

Sides. The many delicious sides offered at Lionfish make a great complement to our pork belly BLT. Some perfect picks for pairing would include our brussels and corn side dish (served with malt-lime vinaigrette and cotija cheese) or our broccoli raab (served with lemon caesar and parmesan).

Drinks. Confused about what to drink with pork belly? Don’t worry about it. The good news is that there isn’t really a wrong answer about pairing wine, beer, or mixed drinks with pork belly. It’s all good. That having been said, here are some suggestions of what drinks to choose and why they work.

White wine: The unctuous richness of pork belly can be pleasant with a contrastingly bright beverage. If you want to go the contrasting route, choosing a bright white wine such as a Sauvignon blanc.

Sparkling wine: Sparkling wine can also offer a wonderful contrast to pork belly. As a bonus, sparkling wine pairs with pretty much any food, so no matter what else you decide to order, it will pair well!

Red wine: A rich red wine can match the powerful flavor of the pork belly. You might opt for something juicier like a Merlot, or something bolder like a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cocktails: Our crafted cocktails make a great pairing with pork belly. For a perfect complement, try our “G Mail” cocktail, made with Hennessy VS, Rothman and Winter Orchard Apricot, Honey, and lime.

Beer: bubbles go well with pork belly, so choose whatever brew appeals to you and rest assured it’s going to taste great!

What else to try if you love pork belly. If you’ve tried and adored the Maple-Sriracha Pork Belly “BLT” at Lionfish, what should you try next?

If you’re addicted to the salty-rich flavor of pork belly, branching out and trying our Glazed Salmon Creek Pork Chop is a natural next step. Featuring pancetta, golden raisins, marble potatoes, black kale, and creamed spring onion, this is a dish that truly cannot be missed.

WHile it’s not a pork product, you may also enjoy trying our Maple Leaf Duck Breast. When cooked proficiently, duck meat can gain a juicy unctuousness that pork belly lovers will likely find appealing. This entree from our menu includes foie butter, seaweed potato gnocchi, citrus duck jus, bok choy, and orange. Absolutely delicious!

Pork belly is considered a delicacy with good reason. It is worth its weight in gold in terms of its power to impart flavor and deliciousness to any dish. See for yourself how crave-worthy pork belly can be by trying our maple sriracha pork belly “BLT” at Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine! You’re bound to become a fan in short order.

Have you ever tried pork belly?