CHICHARRONES DIPPING SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• For the pork: Put the pork skin in a large pot and cover with water. Weigh down with a plate to keep it submerged. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the skin is soft and pliable but not falling apart and the water is white, 1 1/2 to 2 hours (adding more water as needed).
• Carefully remove with a large spider or slotted spoon and arrange the skin in an even layer, with no folds, on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Discard the cooking water. Put in the fridge, uncovered, and allow to cool until completely cold, about 2 hours.
• Once the skin is cold, use a spoon or bench scraper to remove all subcutaneous fat, being careful not to tear the skin. Place the scraped skin on a rack set over a baking sheet. Set the oven to its lowest possible setting (ours was at 200 degrees F) and dehydrate the skin overnight, until dry, brown and brittle.
• For the spicy-sweet blend: Mix the salt, sugar and chile powder in a small bowl.
• For the five-spice blend: Mix the five-spice and salt in a bowl.
• For the dipping sauce: Mix the vinegar, fish sauce, chili paste and garlic in a small bowl.
• To fry the pork skins: Snap the skin into small (1-inch square) pieces. Heat a deep-sided pot with about 4 inches of lard, peanut oil or a combination of the two to 385 to 400 degrees F. Fry one square at a time, prodding it until it puffs up and turns crispy, about 15 seconds. Remove to a paper-towel-lined tray and season with one of the spice blends while hot. Serve immediately or to cool to room temperature. Serve with Richmond's dipping sauce if desired.
• You can also store the squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days before frying.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250°F.
• Cut the skin into large, wide pieces, about 6 inches long by 4 inches wide.
• Place the skin on a rack set over a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour. Lower the heat to 200°F and bake for 2 to 3 more hours, until the skin is a dark caramel brown and the top is no longer moist or sticky. (The bottom may still be slightly moist with fat.) Wash the rack and baking sheet, return the rack to the pan, and set them next to the stove.
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. When very hot (at least 320°F), add a piece of pork skin. After about 30 seconds, it should bubble and puff up into a chicharrón. Flip if necessary to make sure both sides are cooked. Once puffy and golden brown, transfer to your prepared baking sheet and season with salt. Repeat with the remaining pieces of pork skin.
• Serve as soon as the pieces have cooled, with salsa or guacamole if desired. Or store the pieces in an airtight container for snacking later. They will keep for up to 5 days.