Crackling Pork Belly with Grape and Plum Sauce Recipe

How to make Crackling Pork Belly with Grape and Plum Sauce

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Using a sharp paring knife or scalpel, finely score the pork belly rind (careful not to cut through the skin). Pat the surface of the rind dry, with paper towel, and rub with oil and flakes of sea salt. Allow to sit for 20 minutes.
  3. Place the pork belly into a shallow baking dish. Roast the pork belly in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This will begin the crackling process. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) and continue to roast for a further 1½ hours. Remove the belly from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
  4. To prepare the grape and plum sauce: combine the plum sauce (see method below), balsamic vinegar glaze, caster sugar, pomegranate juice and grapes into a small saucepan and stir over a medium heat. Simmer until liquid has reduced by half and is glossy.
  5. Cut the pork belly into serving-sized portions. Serve hot with steamed vegetables and grape and plum sauce.

Method to make your own Asian style plum sauce:

  1. Place all ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil, over medium heat. 
  2. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the plums are soft and the sauce has thickened slightly. 
  3. Remove pan from heat and let cool slightly. Using an immersion blender, purée until smooth. (Or, if using a standard blender, cool a little more and add to the blender. Leave the lid very slightly ajar for any steam to release, but not for sauce to escape.)

Optional: If canning the sauce you won’t use in this dish, you’ll need to bring it back to the boil and ladle into hot and sterilised jars, leaving 35mm space at top. Add lid and process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath. Remove jars, place on a tea towel and rest for 24 hours. Check your seals before storing. Sauce can be stored for up to 12 months.

Recipe: Courtesy of Australian Pork and ALDI Australia.