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Ingredients

Method

  • STEP 1

    Toast 2 tbsp fennel seeds and 1 tsp black peppercorns in a dry frying pan for a couple of mins. Pound them together in a pestle and mortar with some flaked sea salt, the leaves from 1 small bunch of thyme and 3 garlic cloves to make a paste.

  • STEP 2

    Mix with 2 tbsp olive oil and rub all over the flesh of a 1½ - 2kg piece of boneless pork belly. Cover and chill, leaving to marinate for a few hours or overnight.

  • STEP 3

    When ready to cook, rub the skin of the joint with plenty of salt and 1 tbsp more olive oil. Sit on a wire rack in a roasting tin and roast at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 30 mins.

  • STEP 4

    After this time, squeeze 2 lemons over the skin and turn the heat down to 180C/ 160C fan/gas 4. Roast for a further 2 hrs.

  • STEP 5

    Finally, turn the heat back up to 220C/ 200C fan/gas 7 and give it a final blast for another 30 mins or so, to finish the crackling.

  • STEP 6

    Allow to rest somewhere warm for 20 mins. Carve up into chunks or slices and serve with the braised cabbage (below) and bay-infused potatoes (see 'goes well with').

RECIPE TIPS
BRAISED RED CABBAGE WITH APPLE

Slice 3 onions into half-moons and sweat

in 2 tbsp olive oil until soft. Add 4 peeled

and roughly diced Bramley apples and

1 shredded large red cabbage to the

pan. Season, stir and cover with a lid.

Turn the heat down and stew for 1 hr, or

until cabbage is tender.

Check every now and then, adding

some water if the pan is looking a bit dry.

Remove the lid and stir in 100g soft

brown sugar. Add 100ml red wine

vinegar, cook for 10 mins until evaporated,

season to taste and serve.

Goes well with

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