Easy Homemade Pancetta

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon whole dried juniper berries
• 1 dry bay leaf (broken into pieces)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (about 2 sprigs)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves (about 1/2 small sprig)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt)
• 2 teaspoons packed dark brown sugar
• pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 pound skinless pork belly

Instructions

1. 1

   In a spice grinder, combine first 5 ingredients (peppercorns through rosemary leaves), pulse until finely ground. (This can also be done with a mortar and pestle.) Transfer mixture to bowl and stir in kosher salt, brown sugar, nutmeg and garlic.

2. 2

   Place pork belly in a dish large enough so it will lie flat; coat generously on all sides with spice mixture. Cover and refrigerate 24 to 72 hours. Use or freeze for up to 3 months.