Crispy Roast Pork Belly

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) pork belly, skin-on 2 pounds (900g) pork belly, skin-on
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 teaspoons five-spice powder 2 teaspoons five-spice powder
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon white pepper

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 30g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 0g, 0g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
2. 2.
   In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, minced garlic, salt, and white pepper.
3. 3.
   Place the pork belly on a cutting board, skin-side up. Using a sharp knife, score the skin in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat.
4. 4.
   Rub the marinade mixture all over the pork belly, ensuring it gets into the scored skin.
5. 5.
   Place the pork belly on a wire rack set inside a baking tray, with the skin side facing up.
6. 6.
   Roast the pork belly in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
7. 7.
   Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F) and continue roasting for another 1 hour, or until the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
8. 8.
   Remove the pork belly from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
9. 9.
   Slice the Crispy Roast Pork Belly into bite-sized pieces and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork belly — Choose a piece of pork belly with a good balance of meat and fat. The skin should be dry for better crackling. If the skin is moist, pat it dry with paper towels before scoring and marinating.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve an extra crispy skin, you can pour boiling water over the scored skin before marinating. This helps to tighten the skin and promote better crackling.
• For a more intense flavor, marinate the pork belly overnight in the refrigerator.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes or Sichuan peppercorns to the marinade.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Roast Pork Belly as a main dish accompanied by steamed rice or noodles. It pairs well with stir-fried vegetables or a refreshing cucumber salad.

Presentation advice

Arrange the sliced Crispy Roast Pork Belly on a platter, ensuring the golden-brown skin is prominently displayed. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or green onions, for a pop of color.