
The Reagan
Jelly bean–glazed pork belly skewer with sesame
Inspired by his famous sweet tooth
The Story
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President, was known for his charm, optimism, and an infamous obsession with jelly beans. He kept a jar on his desk in the Oval Office and had them served at Cabinet meetings and his inauguration — over 3.5 tons of Jelly Belly beans were ordered for the 1981 event alone. This playful pork belly skewer transforms his sweet signature into a savory-sweet glaze that captures Reagan's larger-than-life personality.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork belly
- 3 tbsp jelly bean glaze (fruit jelly reduced)
- Sesame seeds
- Bamboo skewers
- Soy sauce
- Ginger
Preparation
- 1.Braise pork belly until tender, cube into bite-sized pieces.
- 2.Reduce fruit jelly with soy and ginger to create glaze.
- 3.Skewer pork and brush generously with glaze.
- 4.Torch or broil briefly, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
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