Topic: Suitable recipe for pork belly?

[natterjak]

Pork belly is a cheap cut of meat, unsuited to fast cooking methods like roasting or grilling as it needs a long slow cook to break down the meat.  Just wondering if anyone has an indian recipe which could be suitable for cooking pork belly (or any other tough meat such as beef brisket)?

Reason for asking is, of course, I have a pork belly in the fridge which needs using up and I find myself lacking a suitable recipe!  Thanks in advance

[Razor]

Hi NJ,

Interesting comments with regards to roasting.  I had rolled pork belly yesterday for our Sunday roast and it was soft, tender and very succulent.

cooking times: 70 mins per kilo plus 60 mins over.

I would advise, if you were to roast it that is, pat the rind dry with kitchen towel, then brush with oil, and give it a good rub with plenty of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Place in the oven gas mk8/230c/450f,  for 35 mins, then reduce temp to gas mk3/160c/325f, and continue to roast, using the timings above as your guide.

Hope that helps,

Ray

[Malc.]

High NJ, I don't have a curry recipe tried and tested for pork belly and would opt simply to slow roast it with pear or apple. Pork belly without crackling is sacrilege


The only recipe I have in the books that uses 'fatty pork' suggests cooking the pork in water for an hour. Let it cool and cut into inch peices. Then add this to a curry of your choice.

Perhpas you could give this a go:

http://thecurrysecret.blogspot.com/2010/07/pork-tikka-masala.html

[natterjak]

Thanks guys - I'm torn now..!  To roast or to curry....  I have a slow cooker at my disposal so the curry method is definately feasible but roast pork crackling.....  I'll come back to this decision later!

[natterjak]

Hi Ray, I assume the 35mins gets deducted from the total cooking time as calculated by the 70 mins formula?

[Malc.]

I cook mine at 140c for 3.5 hours after scoring and salting the skin. Letting it rest for 30 mins afterwards.

I have a Gary Rhodes recipe that is fantastic for pork belly, it gets the skin almost crystalised. I'll post the method when I get home.

[peterandjen]

The only indian recipe i have seen that uses pork is the vindaloo. Its a shame as pork shoulder is cheap and would make a good meal. There's loads of chinese pork recipes though.
One thing thats been on my mind for a while is tandoori'ing pork. You could try that.

[Razor]

Hi NJ,

Hi Ray, I assume the 35mins gets deducted from the total cooking time as calculated by the 70 mins formula?

Yes mate, that's correct.

Ray