Pork Belly With Arepas | Emerils.com

Ingredients

• For the Pork
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4 cups mirin, divided
• 6 cups sake
• 3 star anise pods
• 4 pounds skinless, boneless pork belly
• For the Arepas
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetable oil, for pan-frying
• 1 cup masa harina
• 1 tablespoon Essence, plus more for dusting
• Pinch sugar
• 1 cup milk, hot
• 1 tablespoon bacon grease
• 1/2 cup grated queso blanco, or mozzarella, plus 1/4 cup for topping
• 1/3 cup chopped roast pork, or chopped smoked ham
• 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno or serrano peppers
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic