Guys, it’s been an roller coasterweek of firsts for me: first time holding my new baby nephew, first iphone dropped in a sink full of soapy water and…my first cookbook, Easy Gourmet, available for preorder!! I’ve been keeping my book on the down low because I’m not sure how to talk about it.I try to think of what to say and all that comes out is: maofeisao ioajoejaw oajfoewjafs YAS!!!!! So, instead, while I gather my thoughts, I’m going to give you this Porchetta Recipe Redux, which happens to be a sneak peek into the book.
Porchetta is truly one of the GREAT foods of Italy. They do porchetta right – in Italy, if you’re lucky, you’ll be walking along a random side street andsee a glistening, deeply golden brown,whole pig that’s been deboned, stuffed with herbs and roasted. Italianslike to tuck it into pillowy soft bread and call it a day. I call it delicious. Of course, most people aren’t going to sourcea whole pig, let alone debone it. So, I’ve made a porchetta recipe that’s a little more practical, but just as delicious. Instead of a whole pig, we’re going to gofor the infinitely more manageableskin-onpork belly and loin. You candoa full belly porchetta, but I like the contrast between the super-marbled softnessof belly and the slightly leaner, more textured loin.
The best thing about porchetta (aside from the crisp crackling and juicy, juicy meat) is the fact that it’s fairly simpleto make. Dare I even say…it’s Easy Gourmet?! (Hahaha, please excuse me, I’m a little delirious) Seriously though, all you do is chop up some herbs, roll up pork belly around tenderloin, wrap it tightly in saran wrap, throw it in the fridge and call it a night. The next day, unwrap, pat dry and roast. Four hours of slow roasting later (and the most incredible smells), you turn up the heat to get some crispy crackling action and then it’s time for the hard part…waiting. Let your porky heaven rest for a little while before slicing in. It may be the longest 20 minutes of your life, but when youtastethe results of your labour, you’ll be glad you waited.
Eat it as is, stuff it into a sandwich, make a porchetta carbonara, throw it on a pizza…the possibilitiesare as delicious as a Choose Your Own Adventure Book. Now that we’ve talked about porchetta, I guess it’sback to the book. I honestly can’t believe this is actually happening. It makes my heart race, my palms sweat and generally gives me the ill feeling of extreme anxiety. I still can’t believe you guys come to my site…and now that a real, live, physical book is going to be…gah. I can’t comprehend it.
If you’re so inclined to pre-order Easy Gourmet, I will forever be sending you virtual porchetta sandwiches and pictures of undeniably cute things. I’ll probably spend an inordinate amount of time trying to put my arms into my screen to give you a thank you squeeze. In all honesty, if you decide to buy my book, I will be truly humbled. I am a Food Blog and Easy Gourmet exist because of you, dear reader and that, is more than enough. But…if you do want tobuy my book(!), you can preorder it here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million and Indie Bound. A million xoxos to you. But seriously, guys, *hugs.* Thanks for making my dreams come true.
i am belly, i am loin: i am porchetta!
Porchetta Recipe
serves 6-8, generouslySalt Rub
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons toasted fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 teaspoons toasted fennel seed, crushed
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- zest of 1 lemon
Herb Rub
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped flat leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, needlesonly
Porchetta
- small pork tenderloin, around 3 inches in diameter, 1-2 pounds
- 12 inch slab of skin-on pork belly, 3-3 1/2pounds
- oil
- string
Combine the ingredients for the salt rub in a small bowl. Place the belly skin side down on a cutting board and lightly score the meat. Sprinkle on half of the salt rub. Spread out all of the herb rub and place the tenderloin in the centre of the belly.
Tightly roll the belly around the tenderloin and tie together with kitchen twine. Rub the skin generously with oil and the remaining salt rub. Tightly wrap the porchetta in plastic wrap, place in a dish, and put in the fridge overnight.
The next day, heat the oven to 275°F. Unwrap the porchetta, pat dry with paper towels and place on a rack in a deep roasting pan. Roast on the centre rack of the oven for 4 hours. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 160°F.
Blast the heat up to 450°F and continue to roast for 20-25 minutes, keeping an eye on the skin. You want the crackling golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven, let rest for 15-20 minutes, slice and enjoy!
Oh, any my phone is totally fine. I did the bag o’rice thing and it WORKS! I’m so relieved.
73 Comments
FoodNerd says:
May 1, 2014 at 1:24 am
My god that looks delicious!!!! Wish I could get that through my computer screen and in my face right now!! Congrates on the book!
FoodNerd x
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Thanks so much!! Wish I could send you some! xoxo
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May 1, 2014 at 7:17 am
STEPH! Way to keep your cards close to your chest!!! Congrats on the cookbook! I am SO excited for you!!! And this recipe looks amazing, as usual! Beautiful pictures!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Thanks so much sweet lady! xoxo
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molly yeh says:
May 1, 2014 at 7:18 am
AHHH!!!! i am jumping for joy over here!!! your book is going to be AMAZING!!!! and this porchetta… did you just say porchetta carbonara?! gimme summa dat!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Ugh, you should make porchetta just so you can make porchetta carbonara!!! Seriously, I could eat vats of it!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Aww, thanks Hannah!! xoxo
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Tina Bock says:
May 1, 2014 at 7:49 am
Congratulations on the book!!!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Thank you so much Tina!! :D
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Thanks Todd – I’m so excited I could vom! hahaha
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Erika says:
May 1, 2014 at 8:02 am
Oh my goodness that looks amazing!! And major congrats to you.. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy..
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:17 pm
Thank you so much dear Erika! xoxo
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:17 pm
Thanks Kathy!! :D
See Also18 Amazing Low Carb Psyllium Husk RecipesChristmas cookies recipe (speculaas)Springtime Spaghetti Carbonara RecipeMushroom Tart RecipeReply
Jo says:
May 1, 2014 at 11:04 am
Congrats Steph!! I ordering this for sure. To be honest, I don’t know if I can cook any of these stuff. Hehe but I love your pics and basically support you in general! Wishing you more cookbooks in the future.
xo Jo
http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Of course you can do it Jo!! I believe in you. Plus you can come over and we can cook together :) Thanks for supporting me!!!! xoxoxo
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cynthia says:
May 1, 2014 at 11:06 am
STEPH!!!!!!!! I’m so so so so SO excited for you and so thrilled and just so happy over all of this. You deserve every bit of this — the gorgeous, gorgeous book, your Saveur accolade, errthang. (I mean, just look at this porchetta!) A million warm wishes and hugs (plus a real-life hug in 28 short days!) I’m so honored to call you my friend and so thrilled for you. Thanks for every lovely word and image and recipe you share with us, dear friend.
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Aww, sweet Cynthia, you always make me *blush* I love you lady! You are the best!! Thank you!!
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Jennifer says:
May 1, 2014 at 11:17 am
OMG! YIPEEEEE CONGRATS SO HAPPY and excited for you I wanted to write in all caps :)
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Thanks Jennifer!! You are so, so sweet! You totally made my day!
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May 1, 2014 at 11:53 am
STEPH that is amazing news!! i cannot believe you didn’t mention it when we met today!! you are a modest woman – i can’t wait to check the book out! MEGA CONGRATS! i’m already drooling from this porchetta sneak peek!! xo
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Heeheehee. I was too shy to say anything. Plus it was too fun chasing after Teddy :D Thank you so much!! xoxo
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Mandy@ladyandpups says:
May 1, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Congratulations!! I knew your book would be gorgeous, and I’m right. Damn why do I have to be always right? (Pls ignore me). Congrats again!!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:20 pm
I LOVE it when you’re right Mandy!! xoxox Thank you!
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Lynna says:
May 1, 2014 at 12:29 pm
CONGRATS!!!! This is so exciting!!! I knew you were destined for a cookbook when I found your blog years ago!! Your blog’s design, photography, and recipes are always inspiring. :D Keep it up~
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Thank you dear Lynna! xoxo
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Sophie says:
May 1, 2014 at 3:00 pm
There you were, visiting Tokyo and eating awesome stuff and blogging like the champ that you are, and all the while, MAKING A BOOK. I am impressed and flippin excited to get a copy! This gorgeous roast is a perfect example of your exquisite photographs, endearing writing and accessible recipes… go, you! A book, of course — the perfect gift to the cooking world :) Congratulations!!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:22 pm
Thank you dear Sophie!! You are too sweet :)
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:22 pm
Thank you so much Sue!! xoxox
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J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says:
May 1, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Looks amazing! I wonder if its possible to get away with using just thick cut bacon? Or a really skinny slice of pork belly? I’m a minority here but I think the texture of the fatty parts of pork belly are just tooo soft and jelly like. That crispy skin though. I want that.
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:24 pm
You could totally use a skinny slice of pork belly, but if you do that adjust the cooking time because loin really doesn’t take that long. Or, you could do what I do when I’m at the butcher and ask them to hold up each piece of belly for you until you find one that has your perfect pork to fat ratio. The one in this photo was a bit to fat for my liking, but the butcher was starting to give me the stink-eye so I had to chose after looking at only 5 bellies :( The crispy crackling makes this recipe, so do it with belly!!!
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KM says:
May 1, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Yay! Somehow I would’ve expected it to be called “I am a cookbook” : )
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:25 pm
Heehee I wanted it to be called that, but it fell through :)
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miss mochi says:
May 1, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Congrats! I can’t wait to see the recipes included in the book. I know it will be inspiring.
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:27 pm
Thank you so much dear lady! xoxo
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Lex says:
May 2, 2014 at 7:22 am
Congrats on the book! I hope you received my email—I’d love to work with you, and have a recipe development project I think you’d be an amazing fit for! Best, Lex
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Thank so much Lex!!
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Sofia // Papaya Pieces says:
May 2, 2014 at 7:49 am
Congratulations on your book and new nephew! With regards to your iphone falling in the soapy wet sink, I suppose that is a first and we shall wish also a last… Anyway, your cookbook looks gorgeous, as does this preview recipe which you bet I’ll be trying out at some point. Cheers!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Thank you Sofia! I hope you get a chance to try it out :D
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Erika says:
May 2, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Holy crapola you have a cookbook coming?!?!? CONGRATULATIONS YOU SECRET SUPERSTAR!!!! That’s amazing!!! I cannot wait to see it/hold it/read it!!!
On a random note, I just got totally lost browsing through your momof*cku blog. So many awesome posts!!! My total dream would be to bake/eat my way through the momof*cku milk bar cookbook….if I could somehow not get diabetes, that is.
Congrats again girl! This is huge!!!!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:33 pm
Thanks Erika!! Oh yeah, I gained 10 pounds cooking through Momof*cku…I wanted to do Milkbar too, but I think I would have been on serious sugar overload. Your Momof*cku cakes are SO GORGEOUS! That’s some serious commitment girl!
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May 3, 2014 at 4:31 am
WHOOPEE!
Congratulations! Lovely recipe and pictures.Reply
steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:33 pm
Thank you Susie!! xo
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May 3, 2014 at 6:12 am
This looks amazing!!! Porchetta might be one of the best foods ever. Seriously. And congratulations on the cookbook!!! The cover is gorgeous!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:35 pm
Thank you so much Laura!! Wish I could send you some porchetta :p
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Izy says:
May 4, 2014 at 7:00 am
YAAAAY! When UK amazon gets it, it’ll be pre-order time, helLO :) The book looks so so so cool – as does the porchetta *drooling*
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:35 pm
Aww thanks Izy!! You are so sweet! Will I be seeing you in VEGAS!??! :D
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Susan says:
May 4, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Wow. This was incredible timing. My husband and I were literally debating if we should do a pork belly, or a traditional pork roast for an upcoming event. We decided to talk about it later, and I went back to my usual check out my fave blogs, and BAM. This. Decision made. YUM!
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Ooh I hope you made it!! :D
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Millie// addalittle says:
May 4, 2014 at 11:41 pm
Yum!! This looks amazing!! So excited for your book, I KNOW it’s going to be amazing!!
XxxReply
steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Thank you Millie!! xoxo
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Robert Hopkins says:
May 4, 2014 at 11:49 pm
Mouth watering, indeed! Honestly speaking then I was not aware with this Porchetta but after seeing your post I’m seriously excited about it and would definitely try it for once. Thanks for sharing.
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Hope you get a chance to try it!
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ATasteOfMadness says:
May 5, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Congrats on the book! This looks amazing, I might be thinking about a second dinner? ;)
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Second dinner and … even better, you’ll have leftovers!!
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autumn says:
May 6, 2014 at 3:38 am
I’ve always wanted to make porchetta, but (SURPRISE) I’ve been intimidated. You do indeed make it look very easy :) This looks ridiculously good.
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steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Thank you Autumn!! xoxo
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QD says:
May 6, 2014 at 5:59 am
Hey Steph!
I’m an avid reader and a fan all the way from Singapore!
And I wana get your book! (a couple of my foodie friends wants to too!)
Any idea if it’ll be available from sites like book depository? (they ship worldwide so it’s gonna be perfect for us!)Can’t wait to get my hands on your book!
Love,
Qing Da.Reply
steph says:
May 6, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Hi Qing Da! I’ll pass the message along to my publishers and hopefully you can all get a copy!! Thanks so much for the support!! xoxo
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Kristel says:
May 13, 2014 at 11:20 am
this reminds me of my favourite sandwich in vancouver! what is the sauce?
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Ann says:
May 13, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Thank you for posting this – I’ve been dying to make porchetta. Should I let the meat come to room temperature before cooking it?
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steph says:
May 13, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Hi Ann, I like to pull the porchetta out of the fridge as I’m warming up the oven. Other than that, you don’t really need to bring it to room temp. Hope that helps!
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DSlot says:
May 16, 2014 at 7:06 pm
Quick question-not a huge fan of pork tenderloin, do you think I could use a piece or prices of the shoulder or butt? I would think it would work…
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steph says:
May 16, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Yes! Just trim it to the appropriate shape.
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June 22, 2014 at 7:14 am
Great recipe, I must to try it, thanks!
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princess hot flash says:
August 22, 2014 at 10:34 am
Just made the Porketta for friends. So good and fairly easy. Hardest part was really trimming down the loin to make it fit the belly. Thanks for recipe. It was delicious. I also used your no-knead cinnamon buns for my strawberry buns. I posted pictures of the porketta on my blog.
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