When it comes to seasoning or marinating pork belly, there are several popular options that can enhance its flavor and complement its rich, fatty nature. Here are some commonly used seasonings and marinades for pork belly:
1. **Five-Spice**: A classic Chinese spice blend consisting of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. Five-spice adds a warm and aromatic flavor profile to the pork belly.
2. **Garlic and Herb**: A simple yet delicious combination of minced garlic, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil. This seasoning brings out the natural flavors of the pork while adding a savory touch.
3. **Asian Soy Marinade**: A mixture of soy sauce (regular or low-sodium), ginger paste or grated ginger, garlic paste or minced garlic cloves, honey or brown sugar for sweetness, sesame oil for nuttiness (optional), and a splash of rice vinegar for tanginess. This marinade infuses the meat with umami flavors.
4. **Korean Bulgogi Marinade**: A traditional Korean marinade made with soy sauce (or tamari), brown sugar (or honey), sesame oil for richness (toasted is best), grated pear or apple for natural sweetness and tenderizing enzymes (optional but recommended), minced garlic cloves for depth of flavor, grated ginger root for freshness, black pepper for a hint of heat.
5. **Barbecue Rub**: Ideal if you plan to grill your pork belly! Barbecue rubs typically include ingredients like paprika (smoked or sweet), brown sugar (for caramelization), chili powder (for heat if desired), cumin powder (for earthiness) along with salt and pepper as base seasonings.
Remember that these are just some popular options; feel free to experiment with different combinations based on your personal taste preferences!