Porchetta Alla Joe Beef

Name: Porchetta Alla Joe Beef
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients: 4-pound (1.8-kg) piece pork belly, skin removed and reserved; 2.5-pound (1.1-kg) cylinder Boston butt (pork shoulder); 8 sprigs rosemary; 2 cloves garlic; 1/2 jalapeño chile; 2 tablespoons fennel seeds; 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vermouth; 2 tablespoons salt; 1 tablespoon pepper; 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil; Canola oil for coating; 2 large carrots, halved crosswise; Potato Dinner Rolls (recipe follows); Babylon Plum Jam (recipe follows); 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast; 1 tablespoon sugar; 6 tablespoons (90 ml) lukewarm water; 1 egg; 2/3 cup (160 ml) milk, at room temperature; 1/2 cup (100 g) warm mashed potatoes; 3 1/2 cups (510 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling; 1 tablespoon salt; 1/3 cup (75 ml) rendered bacon fat, melted and cooled to room temperature; (makes 12 rolls); 1 1/2 pounds (680 g) plums (about 10), pitted and chopped; 2 1/4 cups (455 g) sugar; 1/4 cup (60 ml) distilled white vinegar; 1 small fresh or dried red chile; 2 tablespoons ground ginger; 1/2 cup (105 g) mustard seeds

January 24, 2012

Porchetta is something you want to eat lukewarm: work on it in the morning, cook it in the afternoon, take it out, and eat it an hour or so later. We’re aware that a traditional porchetta is a whole stuffed pig; this is our version and has little affiliation with the Italian classic. Because you wrap the pork belly around the shoulder, you need a pretty skinny piece of Boston butt. We buy a 5-pound (2.3-kg) shoulder, slice it lengthwise, and use half (freeze the other half for another time). This recipe may look labor-intensive, but it won’t be, especially if you get your butcher to do all of the trimming for you.

Recipe notes

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

Gochujang Turkey Sweet Potatoes

Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

French Silk Pie

A no-bake Oreo crust, a rich chocolate filling, and a tower of whipped cream come together in this shut-the-room-up dessert.