Slow Roast Belly of Pork
By Bonne Maman
Published on 25 April 2022
A no-hassle roast that guarantees mouth-wateringly tender meat every time. Perfect for a winter Sunday lunch.Time and servings
5 hrsTotal time
6Servings
35 minsPrep time
4 hrs 25 minsCooking time
Ingredients
- 1.6 kg of pork belly
- 500 ml of medium dry cider
- 4 tsp of sea salt
- 2 tsp of plain flour
- 600 ml of chicken stock
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp of fennel seeds
- 1 tsp of butter
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 6 tbsp of bonne maman bitter orange marmalade
Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 170C/150 Fan/Gas 3.Step 2
Put the belly of pork in a large roasting tin and add the cider, stock and rosemary. Bring to the boil on the hob, then cover tightly with foil and poach in a preheated oven for 3 hours. Leave to cool.Step 3
Meanwhile, in a pestle and mortar or a strong bowl with the end of a rolling pin, pound the garlic, olive oil, 2 tsp of the salt and the fennel seeds to a rough paste. Add 2 tbsp of the marmalade and pound for a further few seconds.Step 4
Raise the oven temperature to 220C, Gas 7.Step 5
Drain the pork, reserving the cooking liquid. With a sharp knife, cut away the rind from the pork fat and set it aside on a large piece of foil. Score the fat with a sharp knife.Step 6
Rinse out the roasting tin, return the meat to the tin and spread the fat with the marmalade mixture. Rub the pork rind with the remaining salt.Step 7
Put the pork in the oven, with the pork ring on a shelf above, and roast for 10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 200C, Gas 6, and continue to roast for a further 20-25 minutes until the pork is golden brown and the crackling crisp.Step 8
Meanwhile put the poaching liquid in a large saucepan with the remaining marmalade and bring to the boil. Bubble for a good 10-15 minutes until reduced by about two-thirds.Step 9
Mash the flour into the butter and whisk into the liquid. Return to the boil, whisking all the time, and cook until lightly thickened. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Serve the pork carved into thick slices with shards of crispy crackling and the gravy.Step 10
Tips: To prepare ahead of time, poach the pork for 3 hours the day before it is needed. Drain, remove the rind and make the gravy. Keep everything covered in the fridge. When ready to use, allow the pork and rind 15 minutes at room temperature before roasting. Bring the gravy to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes until piping hot. This pork is perfect served with roasted root vegetables.