Crunchy pork belly with apple, coconut and ginger salad

Indulge in a sensory feast with this Crunchy Pork Belly with Apple, Coconut, and Ginger Salad, a classic dish that's a must-learn for any culinary enthusiast.

Cut:
Pork Belly

Ingredients

  • 1 pork belly (about 2kg), skin on
  • 15ml fennel seeds
  • 5ml ground ginger
  • grating of nutmeg
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 20ml fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  • 5ml fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
  • grated zest of 3 lemons
  • juice of one lemon
  • 15ml fine salt
  • 5ml freshly ground black pepper
  • vegetable or olive oil for rubbing
  • extra salt and pepper

Apple Salad

  • 100g fresh coconut, shaved or chopped
  • 3 green apples, sliced
  • ½ cabbage, thinly sliced
  • handful each of fresh coriander and mint
  • large handful of golden sultanas
  • DRESSING
  • juice of 2 limes
  • 80ml coconut cream, or more to taste
  • 30ml grated fresh ginger
  • 1 fresh chilli, sliced
  • 5-10ml honey

Method

Preheat the oven to 240°C.

Put the pork belly on a clean work surface and score the skin well.

Make a rub by mixing the spices, herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Rub the meat all over with a little vegetable or olive oil and cover the meaty side (not the skin) generously with the rub.

Rub the skin generously with extra salt and pepper, making sure you get the salt into the score marks.

Transfer the meat to a roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 200°C and roast for a further 30 minutes.

After 60 minutes of roasting, check on the pork. The skin should be crisp and crackling and the meat cooked through. If not, return to the oven for a while longer.

Remove the pan from the oven when the meat is done. Transfer the meat to a platter and allow to rest for a few minutes.

Toss the apple salad ingredients together. Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and toss through the salad.

Carve the meat and serve with the apple salad.

 

Tip
Cooking the belly in a kettle braai will impart a delicious smoky flavour. Start cooking the meat skin side down over the coals for the best crackling.