Sage-Roasted Candied Pork Belly Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 Swift Pork Belly or 1 package Swift Candied Pork Belly Bites
• 2 heads garlic, cloves separated and peeled
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 bunch fresh sage
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven. For a whole Swift Pork Belly, heat oven to 320°F. If using Swift Candied Pork Belly Bites, heat oven to 400°F.
2. Prep the pork. For whole pork belly, pat dry and use a sharp knife to score the top in a crosshatch pattern, taking care not to cut too deeply. Season generously with salt and black pepper. If using Candied Pork Belly Bites, no scoring is needed and season lightly, if at all, since the bites are already seasoned.
3. Add the aromatics. Arrange the pork in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet with the garlic, lemon slices and fresh sage. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
4. Roast. For whole pork belly, roast at 320°F for approximately 3 hours, until tender. Increase the oven temperature to 355°F and roast for another 30 minutes, or until deeply golden and crisp. For Candied Pork Belly Bites, roast at 400°F for approximately 25–30 minutes, turning once, until heated through and caramelized around the edges.
5. Rest and serve. Allow whole pork belly to rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Candied Pork Belly Bites can be served immediately. Finish with the roasted garlic, lemon and sage.