Balinese Spiced Roast Pork (Babi Guling)

Ingredients

• 2 kg (4.4 lbs) pork shoulder or belly 2 kg (4.4 lbs) pork shoulder or belly
• 5 shallots, peeled 5 shallots, peeled
• 4 cloves of garlic 4 cloves of garlic
• 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled
• 2 lemongrass stalks, white part only, thinly sliced 2 lemongrass stalks, white part only, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons shrimp paste 2 teaspoons shrimp paste
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 2g, 0g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a blender or food processor, combine the shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, shrimp paste, turmeric powder, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, salt, and vegetable oil. Blend until a smooth paste is formed.
3. 3.
   Place the pork in a large bowl and rub the spice paste all over the meat, ensuring it is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
4. 4.
   Place the marinated pork on a roasting rack and roast in the preheated oven for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 70°C (160°F).
5. 5.
   Once cooked, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. Slice the pork into thin pieces and serve with steamed rice, sambal, and your choice of vegetable dishes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shrimp paste — If you cannot find shrimp paste, you can substitute it with fish sauce for a similar umami flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crispy skin, you can rub the pork with a mixture of salt and oil before roasting.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, add a few chopped red chilies to the spice paste.
• Make sure to let the pork rest before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meat.
• Serve the Babi Guling with a side of fresh cucumber slices and lime wedges to balance the richness of the dish.
• Leftover Babi Guling can be used in sandwiches or stir-fried with vegetables for a delicious twist.

Serving advice

Serve the Balinese Spiced Roast Pork with steamed rice, sambal, and a variety of vegetable dishes such as stir-fried bok choy or long beans. Garnish with fresh cilantro or fried shallots for an added burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the sliced pork on a platter, ensuring the crispy skin is visible. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with the accompaniments in separate bowls for a visually appealing presentation.