PORK ROAST WITH GARLIC RECIPES

Steps:

• In the morning before you cook the pork, use a very sharp knife (or ask the butcher) to cut a deep flap under the skin and fat of the meat, all the way along the rack – be sure to leave at least 5cm connected. Rub the powdered sea salt all over the flesh (not the skin), then leave uncovered in the fridge for at least 2 hrs. Take out of the fridge 30 mins before you want to cook it, to come to room temperature. Heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9.
• Meanwhile, make the stuffing. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Add the onion, a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, and the thyme leaves. Cook over a low heat, stirring, until the onion has softened, about 10 mins. Add the sourdough 2 mins before the end. Remove from the heat and transfer the mix to a bowl.
• In a dry frying pan, toast the fennel and coriander seeds and chilli flakes over a high heat for 1-2 mins. Allow to cool, then use a pestle and mortar to grind with a pinch of sea salt.
• Add the ground spices to the onion mixture and mix with the pork trim. Season again, grate in some nutmeg to taste, and add the lemon zest, parsley and wild garlic. Mix everything together with your hands to thoroughly combine, then add the egg and mix again.
• Press the stuffing into the flap in the pork and tie up with string all the way along to hold the stuffing in. Use foil to cover any exposed stuffing, as it will burn in the hot oven. Place the joint on a baking tray.
• Cook the pork for 20 mins per 450g – so 2 hrs 20 mins for a joint this size. Start it off on 240C/220C fan/gas 9 for 20 mins, then reduce the heat to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and cook for 2 hrs. Turn it halfway through to ensure it’s cooking evenly and test it 10 mins before the end with a temperature probe. When the core reads 70C, it’s cooked. Wrap the pork in foil and leave to rest while you prepare your side dishes.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to its highest temperature.
  2. Using a Stanley knife, score the skin down to the meat (try not to cut the meat), making the cuts very close together.
  3. Bash the fennel seeds and a good pinch of sea salt in a pestle and mortar to a powder.
  4. Tip the oil over the top of the scored skin, then sprinkle over the fennel mixture, and rub all over so that everything gets into the scores and down into the meat.
  5. Roughly chop the carrots and celery, then throw these into a roasting tray. Break the garlic bulb up into unpeeled cloves, peel and chop the onions into large wedges, then toss into the tray with the thyme sprigs.
  6. Put the seasoned pork belly on top of the vegetables in the tray, then roast for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the skin starts to bubble and turn golden brown.
  7. Reduce the oven temperature to 170°C/325°F/gas 3, and roast for 1 hour 30 minutes. When the time's up, carefully open the oven door and pour in three-quarters of the wine. Cook for 1 further hour.
  8. Remove the meat carefully from the oven and test to see if it pulls apart easily. If not, cook for a little longer. Allow the meat to rest while you make the gravy.
  9. Put the tray of roasted vegetables directly onto your hob over a medium heat add, add the flour, then stir together until thick. Cook for 1 minute then add in the remaining wine – if you sauce is too thick add a splash more wine or water.
  10. Using a potato masher, mash up the vegetables until you have a delicious thick-looking sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on a low heat, season to taste, then strain through a sieve into a jug.
  11. Remove the crackling from the top of the belly and break up into pieces, pull the pork belly apart, and serve with the jug of gravy on the side, and a selection of seasonal vegetables.