Crispy pig cheek, pickled fennel, chilli

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These schnitzel-esque crispy pig cheeks from Ben Waugh are paired with some crunchy and acidic pickled fennel and a rich pork jus infused with star anise and ginger. They make a delicious main course paired with some simple potatoes or pasta.

First published in 2023

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

Pig cheek

Pickled fennel

  • 300g of vinegar
  • 200g of water
  • 100g of cane sugar
  • 5g of thyme
  • 5g of salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 bulb of fennel, sliced on a mandolin into 2mm thick slices

To finish

  • 40g of plain flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 60g of Panko breadcrumbs, plus more for storing the pig cheeks
  • vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 chillies, thinly sliced
  • chopped chives

Equipment

  • Fine chinois

Method

1

Prep the pork cheek by removing the sinew from one side

2

Season the pig cheeks lightly with salt

3

In a hot pan sear the cheeks until golden brown, remove from the pan and set aside

4

Put the pan back on the heat, add the spring onions and cook for 2 more minutes

5

Add all the other ingredients and pig cheeks, bring to a simmer

6

Cook for between 2 hours and 2 hours 30 minutes, or until the cheeks are tender. Stick a fork in one of the pig cheeks to check, and make sure there is no resistance in the meat

7

While the pig cheeks cook, make the pickled fennel. Put all the ingredients apart from the fennel into a pan and bring up to the boil. Add the fennel and bring back to the boil

  • 300g of vinegar
  • 200g of water
  • 100g of cane sugar
  • 5g of thyme
  • 5g of salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 bulb of fennel, sliced on a mandolin into 2mm thick slices
8

Take the fennel off the heat and cool in a blast chiller

9

Once the cheeks are cooked, take them off the heat and cool to room temperature in the stock. Next, remove the cheeks from the stock and place on a tray

10

Pass the pork cheek cooking liquid through a chinois into a fresh pan and reduce until it coats the back of a spoon, about 10–12 minutes

11

Add the flour, eggs and panko to 3 separate containers

  • 40g of plain flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 60g of Panko breadcrumbs, plus more for storing the pig cheeks
12

Roll the pig cheeks in flour, then dust off the excess. Place each cheek into the egg then into the panko. Roll them around in the panko until completely covered

13

Coat all the pig cheeks in another layer of egg, and then another layer of panko. Line a container with panko and then place the breaded cheeks on top in a single layer

14

When ready to serve, heat a few centimetres of vegetable oil in a heavy, high-sided pan for frying the pork cheeks. Fry each cheek until golden brown, and 70°C at the thickest part of the meat

  • vegetable oil, for frying
15

Warm up the reduction, and add 1 tablespoon to each plate. Top the reduction with the crispy pig cheek, and about 40g of pickled fennel. Garnish the fennel with 4–5 slices of chilli and some chives

First published in 2023

Having worked as part of the Gordon Ramsay Group for over ten years, in 2021 Ben Waugh decided to leave behind the world of fine dining to oversee the food at Bib Gourmand-winning pasta restaurant group, Bancone. As group executive chef, he’s now instrumental in ensuring that the menu remains consistently excellent as the business expands.

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