Crisp cider-braised pork belly

Crisp cider-braised pork belly

Barney Desmazery's prepare-ahead recipe for the perfect pork belly will be a sure-fire hit at your next dinner party

Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 20 mins

Cook time

Cook 3 hrs 30 mins

plus pressing overnight
Freezable

Method

  1. Day 1: Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Place all the ingredients except the pork and sunflower oil in a flameproof pan that will fit the pork snugly - a casserole dish is ideal. Season, bring everything to the boil then turn down the heat and slide the pork into the pan. The pork should be totally submerged - if it isn't, top up with water. Cover the dish with a lid or tight tent of foil and place it in the oven for 3 hrs undisturbed.
  2. When the pork is cooked, leave it to cool slightly in the stock. Line a flat baking tray with cling film. Carefully lift the pork into the tray and make sure you get rid of any bits of vegetables or herbs as they will end up pressed into the pork. Cover the pork with another sheet of cling film and cover with a flat tray or dish - the tray must be completely flat as any indentations will be pressed into the pork. Weigh the pork down with another dish or some cans and leave to cool in the fridge overnight. Strain the juices into a jug or small saucepan, cover and chill.
  3. Day 2: Unwrap the pork and place on a board. Trim the uneven edges so that you have a neat sheet of meat. Cut the meat into 4 equal pieces and set aside until ready to cook. Lift off any bits of fat from the braising juices and tip what will now be jelly into a saucepan, then bubble down by about two-thirds until starting to become slightly syrupy. Add a few more drops of vinegar, to taste.
  4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan until hot, then turn the heat down. Add the pork to the pan, skin-side down - be careful as it has a tendency to spit. Sizzle the pork as you would bacon for 5 mins until the skin is crisp. Flip it over and cook for 3-4 mins until browned. Place a small pile of cabbage on the side of each plate and sit a piece of pork on top. Place a spoonful of mash on the other side of the plate, drizzle over the sauce and serve.
Try

Mustard cabbage

Quarter, core and finely shred 1 small Savoy cabbage. Cook in boiling water for 3 mins, then drain and refresh under cold water. Place cabbage in a pan with 3 tbsp double cream and 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard, and reheat. Season and serve.

Apple mash

Bring 2 large, peeled and chopped baking potatoes to the boil and simmer for 10 mins. Add 1 large peeled, cored and chopped Bramley apple and simmer for 5 mins. Drain and return to the pan through a potato ricer, or mash. Over a low heat, beat in 100ml/3½fl oz double cream and a knob of butter. Season and serve.

PER SERVING

915 kcalories, protein 66g, carbohydrate 10g, fat 67 g, saturated fat 24g, fibre 2g, sugar 8g, salt 1.22 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, February 2011.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • Binder photo Carol

    2011-01-31 19:09:13.188603

    Carol rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    This is a lovely recipe, the pork was delicious, but I did have problems getting the crackling crisp. Any suggestions? I was thinking of removing it and crisping it separately on day 2

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  • Binder photo Rupert Cheyne

    2011-03-11 22:45:05.477802

    Rupert Cheyne rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely delicous! I was a little worried after taking the pork out of the braising pot as it looked a little horrid, but the final product was fantastic and definitely worth the time and effort!

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  • Binder photo Timbr00

    2011-03-17 09:53:56.43821

    Timbr00 commented on this recipe

    I accidentally got the meat scored by the butcher will it still cook the same or do I need to make adjustments to the timing?

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  • Binder photo Rupert Cheyne

    2011-04-04 11:54:02.032275

    Rupert Cheyne commented on this recipe

    No, I've now done it three times and have used scored pork twice - it doesn't make any difference that I've noticed apart from making it easier to cut!

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  • Binder photo nicbow

    2011-05-18 17:07:30.037862

    nicbow commented on this recipe

    Made this Monday night - the pork was amazing and so tender it you only needed a fork to 'cut' it! However the problem i had was with the 'crisp' crackling! It seemed to just burn rather than crisp up which was really annoying as this is my favourite part usually! I never have problems with crackling on roasts and followed the recipe exactly (oil wasnt too hot) yet along with getting hot fat spat all over me i ended up with black hard crackling...any tips please??

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  • Binder photo nicbow

    2011-05-18 17:08:14.229905

    nicbow rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Forgot to rate....

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  • Binder photo ChefDom

    2011-07-27 11:17:39.799274

    ChefDom commented on this recipe

    Hey nic, This is often a problem for many and i dont feel the process if often explain properly in recipes. My advice is to place the belly pork into a cold pan and bring up to a very light sizzle. You are tring to render the fat from the pork, the fat will start to break down from as low as 60 deg C so go slow and gentle and ignore the 4min time scale. The browning process will naturally occure even at lower tempatures as sugars within the pork fat start to caramelize. If you feel the fat is still soft and it is colouring too quickly drop the temp down or allternatively start in a pan and finish in a hot oven. When i cook belly pork it is cooked sous vide at 62 deg C for 24hrs then pressed and pan roast to finish. Hope that helps a little

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  • Binder photo looocy1

    2012-06-14 16:32:24.676688

    looocy1 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I did this a couple of weeks ago for 4 very hungry boys who are really into their food. I was nervous about it but it worked out so well, it was the best pork belly I have ever done and they were seriously impressed. I also served it with potato mash and added a couple of drops of truffle oil to it - the earthy flavour works really well with the pork and the mustard cabbage! This is definitely my go to pork belly recipe from now on!

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  • Binder photo bucklerfamily

    2012-11-24 12:27:17.545786

    bucklerfamily commented on this recipe

    going to try this, Can someone tell me how much stock it is please

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  • Binder photo Rupert Cheyne

    2013-01-24 09:34:24.564176

    Rupert Cheyne commented on this recipe

    ChefDom - thanks for that advice. I'm cooking it twice over the next few weeks so hopefully it'll work out!

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  • Binder photo jana

    2013-02-22 14:56:15.776701

    jana rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This is fantastic! the pork was meltingly tender and full of flavour. In fact mine looked exactly as the photo and everyone was raving about it. I have to make it again!! I served it with boiled potatoes and GoodFood warm roasted cauliflower salad - again a smash hit with our guests. 5* for sure

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  • Binder photo Sharmie

    2013-04-28 11:45:58.351649

    Sharmie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made this for my husband at his request; he had the same meal at a restaurant and loved it. Everything turned out beautifully, and I agree with all who say that this is a fantastic way to prepare pork belly. It was tender and delicious. I prepared the full meal as suggested, with mustard cabbage and apple mash. The flavours worked beautifully together. I can see this becoming a regular treat meal for us.

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Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 20 mins

Cook time

Cook 3 hrs 30 mins

plus pressing overnight
Freezable

Ingredients

  • 1 large carrot , roughly chopped
  • 1 onion , roughly chopped
  • few celery sticks, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves , smashed
  • sprig fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 500ml good-quality cider
  • small splash cider vinegar , plus extra to season
  • 1l fresh chicken stock
  • 1.2kg piece unscored boneless pork belly
  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil
  • apple mash and Mustard cabbage, to serve (see tip)
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PER SERVING

915 kcalories, protein 66g, carbohydrate 10g, fat 67 g, saturated fat 24g, fibre 2g, sugar 8g, salt 1.22 g

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