PK's Pork Cracklings
- 1 pound pork skin
- Peanut oil, for deep-frying
- Kosher salt
- Cut the pork skin into 4 pieces.
- It will cook more evenly and be easier to clean later on.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 4 quarts water to a simmer.
- Add the skins and cook for 1 hour, or until they are soft and somewhat gelatinous.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Remove the skins from the water with a slotted spoon and put onto a large plate.
- Discard the liquid.
- Let the skins cool in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes so they will be easier to handle.
- Put one of the pieces on a cutting board skin-side-down.
- The other side will have bits of meat and fat on it that will have turned white during cooking.
- With a very sharp chef's knife, slice as much of the meat and fat off as possible, leaving only a thin piece of skin.
- Be careful not to slice into the skin underneath.
- The cleaner you get the skin, the crispier the crackling will be when fried.
- Repeat with remaining pieces.
- Arrange the skins on a parchment-paper or Silpat-lined sheet tray and put in the oven for 1 1/2 hours.
- Flip the skins and continue cooking for 1 1/2 hours, or until the skins are completely dry.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- When cool enough to handle, scrape off any remaining bits of fat and meat.
- The back of a knife works well for this.
- At this point, the cracklings can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Heat about 4 inches of oil in a deep-fryer or pot to 350 degrees F. Break the cracklings into small, inch-sized pieces.
- Fry in batches for 30 to 45 seconds, until crisp and puffy.
- Remove from the oil and season with salt.
- Serve immediately.
pork skin, peanut oil, kosher salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-symon/pks-pork-cracklings.html (may not work)