2/14/2021
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| Quentin Matsys, "Christ the Saviour" |
Upshot on the pork belly.
Good. But messy. I’m sure there’s an easier, less messy way to cook these. After 30 hours in the sous vide at 155 degrees, I finished up by slicing and shallow-frying 3/4-inch strips in my cast iron skillet. I used a fair amount of lard for this. It was my first time also pan frying in lard.
The mess came, as expected when the moisture began to explode the oil. The popping and sizzling that the shallow fry is famous for was, as times, more pop than sizzle. I used a pot lid to keep the grease from splattering all over the stove top. i was also concerned briefly about what I’d do if there was a grease fire.
The result was tasty—both crispy where you’d expect and tender where you’d expect. I wasn’t overwhelmed by the flavor—so I added salt and pepper to finish. I’ll do it again perhaps with less lard in the pan and a proper splatter guard. I still have about a pound left to finish.
Ending the day.
I’m attempting to come up with a routine end the day. It was practically the first thought that occurred to me this morning when I woke up—wanting another hour of sleep. I need a “set piece” that wraps things up nicely wrapping up the evening hour and ending with lights out.
The light’s out routine is simple enough. Once I’m done cleaning the kitchen, and turning out the downstairs light and start heading up the stairs things are pretty automatic from there. The one main “land mine” would be checking the phone.
Can I develop a set play that includes kitchen—maybe morning coffee setup, compline, maybe a brief writing exercise?
