Ramen & Ginger Roasted Squash & Crispy Pork Belly Recipe

MISO BROTH AND PORK BELLY

3 pounds pork baby back ribs* (cut apart between bones)

3 pounds chicken backs or wings

1 large carrot, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

6 large garlic cloves, crushed, divided

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms

3 qts. reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided

1 1/3 pounds pork belly*, skin removed but thick layer of fat retained (ask a butcher to do this)

1 1/2 cups sake, divided

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

5 quarter-size slices fresh ginger

1 lemongrass stalk, smashed with a mallet and cut into 3-in. pieces

1 piece kombu* (dried seaweed), about 3 by 8 in.

1/4 cup white (shiro) miso*

GINGER SQUASH

1 qt. (1 1/4 lbs.) peeled butternut squash pieces

2 tablespoons chopped pickled ginger*

2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

NOODLES AND ACCOMPANIMENTS

18 to 20 oz. fresh thin Asian wheat noodles (or use 13 oz. dried)

3 1/2 cups mung bean sprouts

1 qt. lightly packed watercress sprigs

3 green onions, cut into 2-in. slivers

Step 1

Make broth and pork belly: Preheat oven to 450°. Put pork ribs and chicken on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, turning occasionally, until well browned, 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook carrot, onion, and half the garlic with oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring often, until browned, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 2

Add shiitakes, roasted meat, and all but 1 cup broth to pot. Discard fat from pan used for meat, add remaining cup of broth, and heat on stove, stirring, to loosen browned bits; pour into pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until meat is falling off the bones, about 3 hours.

Step 3

Meanwhile, cut pork belly into pieces, each about 1 1/2 by 2 in. Put in a large saucepan with 3 cups water, 1 cup sake, the salt, sugar, soy sauce, ginger, lemongrass, and remaining garlic. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until very tender when pierced, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain, discarding seasonings.

Step 4

Preheat broiler with rack set 3 in. from heat. Put pork belly fat side up on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until well browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a board and slice crosswise 1/2 in. thick.

Step 5

Strain broth from step 2 (discard solids), skim and discard fat. Wipe pot clean; return broth. Add kombu and heat until bubbles appear. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Discard kombu. Whisk in remaining sake and the miso. Set broth aside.

Step 6

Prepare squash: Preheat oven to 425°. Toss ingredients in a 9- by 13-in. pan and bake, turning occasionally, until squash is browned and tender, 30 to 35 minutes.

Step 7

Cook noodles: Heat a pot of water to boiling and cook noodles until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. If needed, reheat miso broth until steaming; warm pork and squash in oven. Arrange a handful of bean sprouts in each of 6 large, deep bowls. Add noodles. Ladle broth over them, then arrange pork, squash, watercress, and green onions on top.

Step 8

*Look for sustainably raised pork ribs and belly at stores like Whole Foods Market. You may need to special-order the pork belly from your butcher. Find kombu and jarred pickled ginger in the Asian foods aisle and miso with refrigerated foods.

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Ramen with Ginger Roasted Squash and Crispy Pork Belly