Some meals are more than just food!
They’re a collection of time, patience, craftsmanship, and passion brought together on a plate
This Italian guanciale began weeks ago with
@devonkurobuta @blackandwildhq Berkshire pig cheeks, chosen for its incredible marbling, deep flavour, and beautiful quality of fat, exactly what’s needed when making proper handcrafted guanciale from scratch
Each piece was carefully cured by hand using the
@fireflybbq Bacon kit with rosemary and black pepper and then watched over day by day as time worked its magic
Slowly developing flavour, texture, and depth the Italian traditional way, without rushing the process or taking shortcuts
The final stage was all about fire and smoke
Slowly hot smoked for 7 hours at 150°C on my ride or die
@pitbarreluk using
@bigkproductsltd ACH15 lumpwood and cherry wood to give it a deep flavour
Allowing the fat to gently render while layers of smoke permeated deep into the meat
The aroma rolling from the
@pitbarreluk was unreal, rich pork, rosemary, cracked pepper, hardwood smoke, and caramelising fat all coming together into something truly special that is guanciale
The outside developed a beautiful deep mahogany colour while the centre stayed soft, rich, and creamy
Honestly, it would have been a crime not to make a beautiful homemade sourdough to go alongside it so I rustled one up knowing lunch was going to be just fab
Fresh baked bread, green tomatoes, pickles to cut through the creamy sweet fat, of the handcrafted guanciale
Proof that some of the best lunches come from simple ingredients treated with care and respect
This is the kind of cooking I love most 🧡
Slow cooked food, Live fire,
real craftsmanship, no shortcuts, just made with love 🧡🥂🍊
#fireflybbq
#bigkproducts
#pitbarreluk
#guancaile
#berkshirepigs
