Habanero Pork Belly Tacos with Avocado

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Pickled Onions:

1. On a preheated comal, griddle, or skillet set over medium heat, toast the unpeeled garlic cloves and chiles until they have completely softened and their skin is completely charred, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat. Peel the garlic cloves and stem the chiles.
2. Pour the vinegar into a medium saucepan and incorporate the toasted chiles and garlic, the sliced onions, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Set over medium-high heat, let it come to a rolling boil and then immediately turn off heat. Let cool. Can keep in the refrigerator for up to a couple weeks in an airtight container.

For the Tacos:

1. To make the brine, in a small saucepan, combine 4 cups of water with the salt, sugar, oregano, black pepper, allspice, bay leaf, and whole habanero. Set over medium-high heat. Once it comes to a boil, stir and turn off heat. Set aside until cooled.
2. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the pork belly in a diagonal pattern, without cutting into the meat. Place the pork belly in a medium baking dish, then pour in the brine along with the habanero, making a slit in the habanero. Cover and refrigerate anywhere from 12 to 48 hours.
3. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 300°F with the rack in the middle of the oven.
4. Take the pork belly out of the refrigerator, remove it from the brine and place it in a clean or rinsed baking dish. Pour a clean cup of water over it and add the whole habanero from the brine.
5. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and roast for 2 1/2 hours, or until the pork belly is fork tender. Remove the aluminum foil, increase heat to 450°F, and roast for about 15 minutes or until the top has crisped and browned and the inner fat has mostly melted. Remove from the oven. Once cool enough to handle, cut into 1” slices and chop into bite size pieces.
6. Heat a comal, griddle, or skillet over medium heat. One by one heat the tortillas on both sides, add a couple of generous tablespoons of cheese and a couple generous tablespoons of pork belly. Once the cheese is melted, fold and let the tacos crisp on both sides. Serve with pickled onion with fire roasted chiles and garlic, ripe avocado slices, and/or your favorite salsa.